Go North Young Family, Go North

When discussing Aliya Ayelet and I both felt that the northern part of the country was the right place for us. We had both come to this conclusion individually before we had met. For various reasons we thought it smart to start in the Yerushalaim area and to move up norht after a little while. After the first few weeks living here we decided to check out communities up north and see if it made sense to come sooner rather than later.
To that end we rented a car and spent the last week (including 2 Shabbatot) driving around the Galil and Golan. We met with Michele, the head of Nefesh B'Nefesh's Go Norht! initiative, made contacts using a book put out by Kehillot Tehilla, and went up.

First of all, it rained more than half the time and everything was green. The different shades of green, the fields and orchards were just beautiful. Also, the hills and valleys in the Galil are breathtaking, especially set against the gray sky. As we drove up on Friday we saw bracha-worthy rainbow. That night we witnessed a lighning storm as well (up close and personal). we got to make all 3 brachot in one day, although the rainbow came first. Maybe it's a sign.

We looked at 3 yishuvim and 2 cities. the cities were mostly just as places to rent while we continue our search. We are focused on a yishuv. We like the small town or settlement type of living. We think it will be great for Netanel to be able to run around everywhere and play with other kids. Already he loves running around the merkaz klita with less supervision. To be able to do it in a place with multiple playgrounds, grass, and more kids would be awesome.

We spent the first Shabbat in Moreshet in the Western Galil. It's very nice and friendly. We also checked out Mitzpe Netofa near Tzomet Golani and Moshav Yonatan in the Golan. We learned that many people have a pet cat and/or dog.

We really fell in love with Moshav Yonantan. It is located in the Golan, about 10 minutes from Katzrin. It is literally in the middle of nowhere. The town consists of about 80 families. It started as a farming collective but went private. Now all residents get full membership and voting rights, but only the original members get to share in the profits of the farming. The moshav owns cows and also hosts cows for other towns. They supply much of T'nuva's milk. Also there are apples (Jonathan apple to be specific) and other crops. The town also owns a share in the Golan winery and the makolet sells wine at a discount. The people there are sweet and down to earth. It's great hearing people appreciate the rain because their livlihood depends on it. Kind of like our lives, but the connection is much greater here.

Walking around felt like being back in camp. There were tons of bikes left around without being chained up. Supposeldy in nice weather the kids just run around and are in and out of houses. Unfortunately we missed that part, but Netanel did make some friends.

As for income, the Galil and Golan are covered with Industrial parks and many people have home-based and telecommuting businesses/jobs. The consensus was that almost anything you want to do is possible up north, so our entrepreneourial spirit will be nurtured here. The drawback is that a car is pretty much required.

Towards the end of the week we went to Nahariya. Living there would be comparable in cost to Yerushalaim, but it is a nice place to visit. And we did get to go tot he beach (Wednesday and Thursday were gorgeous: warm and dry). The kids and I had fun getting our feet wet. Thursday we went to Tzfat and walked around. As olim chadashim everyone gives you brachot and wishes of support.

We spent this part Shabbat in Yonatan. Our hosts for sleeping (we ate each meal somewhere else) have a dog that is not so friendly to kids that like to jump on dogs. When we came into the house after Shabbat the dog came over to us. Ayelet was holding Odeliya. Odeliya tucked her feet in, away from the dog and said, "My toes."

I think this post is log enough to make up for the lack of contact til now. Hopefully I'll keep you posted and events upfold regarding our request to get into Yonatan, securing the house available for rent and getting our lift out of storage in Ashdod.

Shavua tov,
Yoram