Afula Illit

Afula Illit (Hebrew: ####) is a neighborhood of Afula, detached from the main city. The road to Teveria separates it from the neighborhood of Giv'at HaMoreh.

Population

Afula itself is historically an immigration town. Immigrants originally came from Morocco, then more places. Now there are 50,000 people. There is every type of Sephardi Shul. Overall there are approx. 70 shuls. The general area is mostly Sephardi, extremely warm, full of Emunah, welcoming, growing in Torah.

There are many non-observant Jews, Russians, Ethiopians. In the city there are many Arabs as well, though in Afula Illit not so many. There were no incidents with the Arabs in the recent unrest (May 2021).

In Afula Illit, the Chareidi presence is made up of three groups. There is a significant Ashkenazi presence: 50-60 Ashkenazi Litvish families, almost all Israeli. There is also a large group of Viszhnitzer Chasidim, 220 families. Both these communities have developed over the past few years. There are about 100 Sephardic families who self-identify as Chareidi, many of them avreichim. All these kehillos are growing.

Many members of these communities are younger families with young children. There are very few families where the head of household is over 45.

There is a huge sense of achdus in a heartfelt way. The common denominator of the small Ashkenazi kehillah is that everyone is there to serve Hashem without community pressure to conform with all the external aspects of some larger communities. It includes a large range of the Chareidi spectrum, and everybody gets along and are happy living among each other. There is a strong sense of community, and people happily help each other.

Rabbonim

The rav of the Vizhnitz community, Rav Mendel Tobak, speaks English as a second language (grew up in America).Everyone feels comfortable speaking with him, as he is very approachable.

There is also the Sephardic rav of Afula Illit, HaRav Veitzman.

There are several rabbonim in the nearby community of Giv'at HaMoreh.

Shuls

There are many Sephardic shuls. Vizhnitz has a central shul as well as a shtieble called Kerestir.

First Ashkenazi Shul was Netzach Yisrael (nusach Sefard). There is a new Nusach Ashkenaz minyan on Shabbosim in another area of Afula Illit.

Chinuch

The Litvish cheider and general Bais Yakov are in Giv'at HaMoreh, with hundreds of children. There is talk about opening another such cheider in Afula Illit.

There are several Sephardic chadorim in their early stages, each with a different emphasis.

Groups & Programs

The women get together for “N’shei” and have community events for the women. The men also have community events such as an annual Chanukah party.

Geography & Climate

At the nothern edge of the Emek Yizre'el valley, about halfway between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River.

Approximately an hour from Chaifa, 25 minutes from Migdal HaEmek, 40 minutes from Teveria, 1 hourr and 40 minutes to Yerushalayim.

Transportation

Public transportation directly from the neighborhood to Bnei Brak, Tzefat,

Employment

Of the new Litvish kehillah of 50-60 familiels, about half are in kollel and half are working.