Karmiel

Karmiel (Hebrew: ####) is a city in the north of Eretz Yisroel, located in the Beit HaKerem valley.

Population

From a general population of over 40,000, there are about 400 Chareidi families, of which about 100 are Anglo. The Chareidi community is diverse, including Yeshivish, Chassidish, balebatish, and Sephardic. It is a very close knit community.

Anglos are not concentrated in one area, but are integrated throughout most of Karmiel's neighborhoods.

There is also a new community of about 60 young Israeli Chareidi families (including a sprinkling of English-speakers), with more on their way. Most are avreichim. This community is centered around a branch of Yeshivas Orchos Torah of Bnei Brak (R' Shteinman's yeshivah).

There is also a baalei-teshuva population in Karmiel which consists of Israeli Sephardic families.

Rabbonim

Rav Margalit is rav of the city. He built the Chareidi community from scratch, and started the Talmud Torah. He is kiruv-oriented. He does not speak English.

Shuls

Moriah is an Ashkenazi Chareidi shul, located in the center of the city, attended by a mix of Anglos and native Israelis.

Chinuch

There is a classic Chareidi cheider run by Rav Margalit, which has recently become more selective. Many families of the student body are kollel families, with the father being an avreich and the mother bringing in the parnassah.

There is also a yeshiva ketanah, girls elementary and high school, which have a very small and warm atmosphere.

There are not English-speaking schools in the area.

Groups & Programs

The young new Chareidi community has also a kollel run by R' Eitan Kaufman.

There is a small N'shei for the women who get together once a month.

Geography & Climate

Located in the Beit HaKerem valley dividing the uper and lower Galil. 32 km from Tzefas, 35 km from Teveria, and 20 km from Akko.

Haifa is 45 km away.

Hotter than Yerushalayim and very humid.

Housing

Karmiel has a variety of different types of houses. From the many apartment buildings to long rows of attached homes with separate entrances and private yards. There are also a number of private houses which can get quite large.

Transportation

There are frequent daily buses to Haifa, and bus and group taxi (sherut) transportation to the train in Akko. There is also daily direct bus service to Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv as well as excellent local inter and intra-city transportation available.

Five routes cover the whole city, and buses are very punctual- every 20 minutes.

There are buses to anywhere in the north, and to Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak a few times a day.

From Karmiel to Yerushalayim is 2 hours by car and by 2.5 hours by bus.

Owning a car definitely makes getting around easier but it really depends where you live in the city.

Shopping

Being a full fledged city, Karmiel boasts many supermarkets, malls, and almost any type of store. Only a handful of the clothing stores are suitable from the frum residents, so they need to travel to other places to purchase modest clothing.

Medical Services

Israel’s four kupot cholim all maintain clinics in the city. In addition, Karmiel has dental clinics, eye clinics, and private clinics. The city has a number of English-speaking medical practitioners.

Karmiel is about a half hour away from Ziv Medical Center in Tzfat and from the Western Galilee hospital in Nahariya, and about an hour away from Rambam medical center in Haifa. There is a Terem clinic in Karmiel which provides urgent care and is equipped with an on-site imaging center and laboratory services which provide immediate results.

Absorption

The place is Israeili and not geared for Americans, although that doesn’t stop them from coming. The many olim who come have to be ready for the challenge of learning the language and integrating into society. The residents are very welcoming and helpful. There is an Ulpan but it isn’t a Chareidi establishment.

In addition , Karmiel is a 45 min. drive to Yavne’el where there is an English speaking kehillah.

Contacts

Mrs Sprei- 054 857 1604

Mrs Shwartz- 050 599 0565