Afula

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 has parallel classes that offer parents a choice between the zichru method and the regular method
  • Mesilat Yesharim Cheder is part of the Mamach program, which includes a program for secular studies.
  • There are two Bais Yaakovs that serve the general frum population in Afula. Bais Yaakov Afula and Bais Yaakov Zoharei Torah.   Bais Yaakov Afula is more of a general Bais Yaakov serving both the Sfardi and Ashkenazi community, and Bais Yaakov “Zoharei Torah” is more focused on the Sefardi community. While both schools have students who are olim, Bais Yaakov Afula has a larger olim population and the administration is known to have experience with providing students with Shaut Olim and other services for Olim. 
  • There is a girls high school in Afula, a branch of the Chadash high school in Yerushalaim. They offer the “Chutzim” tests as an alternative to the “Bagruyot” tests.
  • 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.

Contact Information for Schools in Afula

Talmud Torah Derech Emes (located in Givat Hamoreh): 
[email protected]
04-6402226

Bais Yaakov of Afula (located in Givat Hamoreh):
[email protected]
04-6114697

Bais Yaakov Zoharei Torah (located in Afula Illit): 
[email protected]
052-7101213

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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Post-Aliyah Answers Helpline (Israel): *3680

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