Even Shmuel



Our 10-year-old son claimed one Shabbat day: When I get married, I will buy land in Even Shmuel and build a huge house there. Drive around in my Tesla and live the dream. 

This yishuv, comprised of 250 families, is sometimes found on the oleh list. Its Ulpana for girls is one that is sought out in the country. There are approximately 45 Anglo families with the rest of the yishuv being Taimani or Sephardi.

Indeed, the houses are beautiful there, ranging in different sizes. Some even have inground pools and others above ground. The yishuv also has a library and pizza store -- think heard falafel as well, but unclear. Other than that, as we sat outside in the yard, we realized the difference between cities that offer amenities and living in such a remote area.

One couple that we met over the recent Shabbat stay shared that when they made aliyah 7 years ago, they landed in Ramat Beit Shemesh -- it was unclear if they first rented in Dolev, Shiloh and bought a house in Ganei Ha'Elah. The wife shared that the area felt like Brooklyn to her. They soon after rented a house in Even Shmuel as they built their own vila. She said something very telling to me -- that sometimes, having a house in Israel, means giving up on friends. 

The yishuv has a weekly Shabbat shiur for women, but it is predominantly with Israelis, so she does not go. And my sister, who has been renting in Even Shmuel for the summer (we stayed with her) opted out of a Zumba class. The shul that we went to had 3 minyanim in one building. The AC was broken, though at no ones fault, given some power outages. 

The only bus to Jerusalem takes about an hour and a half each way. Most that live in Even Shmuel work in Tel Aviv, Be'er Sheva or Kiryat Gat. This proved to be a downside for us, given that one of us works every day from a Jerusalem office with a half hour commute. There is a train from Kiryat Gat to Tel Aviv. 

The lifestyle in Even Shmuel reminded me so much of Boston. We met another person who moved from Hashmonaim to the area -- sending one son of his to a dormitory school and another in Be'er Sheva.

The nearest city, Kiryat Gat, has plentiful Meuchedet offices. And my nieces have been taking buses to Ashkelon. It would take a lot of energy to go out, socialize and source ammenities versus what city life has to offer. If you seek a quiet lifetstyle, yards and crickets chirping, Even Shmuel is a wonderful place. 

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