Population - 6,500

Potential Population - 20,000

Climate - Moderate. Cooler than Tel Aviv, warmer than Jerusalem

Average Age of Adult Population - 30 - 45

Housing - Mid-sized apartments, duplex cottages (attached houses) and American style private homes with gardens

Housing availability - Private lots for new building, second-hand apartments, cottages and private homes. Rentals are also available.

Religious services - 9 synagogues, 3 mikvaot; Local religious council which coordinates all religious services

Employment - A light industrial area and a reasonable commute to major cities

Community Action - Chesed programs for soldiers, needy families and the elderly

Distance to major cities -
Ra’anana - 25 km (15 miles) 25 minutes
Kfar Saba - 20 km (12 miles) 15 minutes
Tel Aviv - 40 km (24 miles) 40 minutes
Netanya - 47 km (29 miles) 40 minutes
Jerusalem - 85 km (53 miles) 55 minutes

Transportation - Frequent Dan bus service to Kfar Saba, Ra'anana, Petach Tikva and other towns in the Shomron.
Regular Egged service direct to Jerusalem.

Health Funds (HMOs) -
Medical Services -
Major health funds, Magen David Adom, dental clinics, optometrists, as well as other private health care providers

Commercial services -
Shopping Mall
Restaurants
Post Office
Bank
Wide range of stores and professional services

Shalom and welcome to Karnei Shomron, a thriving town located in the heart of Israel with one of the largest concentrations of American immigrants in the country. Just 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Kfar Saba, the city’s five neighborhoods offer you the opportunity to join a well established, dynamic community, with all of the religious, educational and social services you would want for your new home in Israel. If you are a new immigrant from an English speaking country, you will feel right at home in Karnei Shomron.

Founded in 1977 by a committed group of young families eager to settle the barren hilltops of Western Samaria, today it is a sprawling regional center that has grown to over 6500 residents. Unique to Karnei Shomron is its "North American" neighborhood, Neve Aliza, a religious community with American-style homes founded by new immigrants from the U.S. and Canada in 1985. Today there are over 200 families who originate from English-speaking countries, making the town a particularly attractive option for new immigrants who wish to integrate quickly into their new community.

Neve Aliza includes a Young Israel synagogue whose rabbi is also an immigrant from the US. The synagogue conducts a large range of shiurim in Hebrew and English for people of all ages. Other synagogues include Heichal Rafael, which also has numerous English-speaking families, but has a more “Israeli” atmosphere. Visitors to our community are always impressed by the warmth of the people they meet, whether in shul, at a kiddush, shalom zachor or simply walking down the street.


Education is a high priority in Karnei Shomron. There are four elementary schools, junior and senior high schools, yeshivot and a special needs resource center. English language courses for native English speakers are run in both the elementary and high schools. Students also travel to nearby Kfar Saba, Ra’anana, Kedumim and other urban centers that are in close proximity. A Hesder yeshiva, where young men combine military service with advanced religious studies, is located in Karnei Shomron. Faculty members play an active role in providing adult education courses and guiding the religious life of the community. Young women from all over Israel are pursuing a full-time study program of advanced Jewish studies at Midreshet Shilat. There are also active Bnei Akiva chapters which meet regularly and plan many events for the community's children year-round and whose presence is especially strong during “chodesh irgun”.