Over the past decade, Afula has undergone a transformative expansion and development of its frum community. The city offers a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, encompassing all the amenities characteristic of a frum community, and is conveniently situated not far from major shopping and business centers. This mid-sized city boasts a proud out-of-town flavor and offers more affordable housing than many other cities across Israel. The blend of its diverse frum communities, the accepting attitude of its residents, and the presence of numerous schools and mosdos position Afula as an ideal destination for Olim seeking to establish Torah homes in a healthy, relaxed, and more affordable environment.

At Quick Glance

Location

Jerusalem – Google Maps

Size

Population: 966 K; Israel’s capital and largest city; Large English-speaking population; Tens of thousands of NBN Olim.

Religious Diversity

All affiliations and some neighborhoods are homogenous.

Ulpan

Link to Ulpan

Frequently Asked Questions

Community

Afula is located on the outskirts of northern Israel, in Emek Yizrael, approximately 30 minutes from Tveria, 40 minutes from Haifa, and 55 minutes from Tzfat and Miron. The Yokneam high-tech center, also known as Israel’s Silicon Valley, is just 30 minutes away. By car, Afula is approximately an hour and a half from Yerushalayim.

There is a diverse range of housing options throughout the city, including apartments, duplexes, and both semi-detached and fully detached houses. Certain neighborhoods in the city are currently undergoing expansion projects, providing the opportunity for brand-new housing.

Various bus lines traverse the neighborhoods, interconnecting them and providing a bus to Yerushalayim approximately every 25-90 minutes, depending on the time of day.

For information about public transportation, including travel time and distance, feel free to check out the Move it website:

The majority of the frum population is concentrated in two neighborhoods: Givat Hamoreh and Afula Illit. While distinct, these neighborhoods are close to each other. Afula Illit has a larger Anglo population, including many Olim who moved there in recent years, creating a more diverse community.

  • The Emek hospital, serving the whole region, is within walking distance from the Givat Hamoreh and Afual Illit neighborhoods and is also within the Eiruv connecting those neighborhoods.
  • All four medical providers (Maccabi, Leumit, Meuchedet, Clalit) have branches in Afula.

  • Derech Emes Cheder located in Givat Hamoreh is a classic Israeli cheder with parallel classes that utilizes the zichru learning method.
  • Mesilat Yesharim Cheder is part of the Mamach program, which includes a program for secular studies.
  • There are both boys’ and girls’ schools in the nearby town of Gfar Gidon, approximately a 10-minute drive away. These schools offer smaller classes, personalized attention, and additional resources for Olim, including a secular studies program.
  • There are three Yeshivah Ketanos available for high school-aged boys, and there are two high schools for girls. One is a branch of the Chadash seminar in Yerushalayim and offers the chutzim program, while the other is located in Kfar Gidon and offers the Bagruyot program.
  • Numerous Kollels are scattered across the city, including an English-speaking Kollel in Afula Illit, headed by R’ Shalom Storch.

Afula is a highly diverse city, embracing all facets of Israeli life, from traditional to religious Chareidi and everything in between. With over 1,400 frum families situated between Afula Illit and Givat Hamoreh, the city represents the entire spectrum of frum (Chareidi) life in Israel. Despite this diversity, Afula is renowned for the harmony and beautiful synchrony among its residents.

Social

  1. Yehuda Eitan Kenigsburg: 052 713 2380
  2. Rabbi Menachem Gold: 054 787 1420
  3. Ari Stein: 055 333 7426
  4. Shmuel Ribiat 052 769 0957
  5. R’ Baruch Harris: 052 761 8104

* Last updated on January 29, 2024 *

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