Northern Regional Committee - Carmiel

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August 26 - After many hours of preparation and coordination, the Northern Picnic kickoff started around 6pm as scheduled and from then on people kept drifting in until we had about 130 people at Shorashim. People lounged in the perfect evening setting, around the pergola, at picnic tables and on their blankets on the adjacent lawn, while the kids were in eye view in the playground. Folks brought their own food and there was great felafel for sale. Picture shows From left to Right in front of the Felafel stand. In the picture is Shayne Smith, Heath Ash, Keren Britten, Alex Findlay, Dorron Kline, Lawrence Menachemson and Tanya Rosenberg.

We had participants from Haifa, Kibbutz Yizreel, recent new olim from Kibbutz Ein HaShofet, Kibbutz Afikim, Kibbutz Malkiya and Karmiel. The rest of the old timers were from Nahariya, Regba, Mitzpeh Hila, Kfar Vradim, Moledet, Hoshaya, Manof, Karmiel, Katzrin, Hoshaya and the other Settlements in the area.

It was a very relaxed atmosphere, with people mingling and meeting old faces as well as some of the new olim. Introductory words came  from Dorron Klein of Telfed, Barry Kornel , Chedva (Bayit BeYachad representative of the Sochnut from Karmiel) and Nate- Chairman of the Karmiel committee. This was the first time in many years that Northerners have had a gathering of this kind and it turned out to be very successful, an event we hope to repeat each year. For those who were unable to attend for whatever reasons, we ask that you set aside the time to attend next year’s event and for all those who came - a BIG thanks to you all. I invite you all to read about our committee on the Telfed website - under Regional Committees and scroll to Karmiel. Anyone wishing to join our committee is welcome to contact Nate. natie@012.net.il

Wishing you all a 'Shanah Tova"

Nate Levinthal

Chairperson,
Karmiel Regional Committee.

Pictures below show :

Below general view of the event.

L > R  Nate Levinthal( Shorashim), Dwayne & Sandra Milner ( Karmiel)

L > R  Ray, Louise & Mickey She with Abe & Shirley Zegal all of Karmiel.

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Dear Oleh or Olim,

Welcome to Karmiel from your "Welcoming Committee"  We have put together a brief introduction to the Karmiel Absorption Centre with some general information about our beautiful city of Karmiel, and the surrounding area. We look forward to meeting you once you arrive here and will be available for help and questions.

About the Absorption Center

The Karmiel Absorption centre building (Merrkaz Klita) which has recently been renovated is clean and bright with 5 floors and 2 elevators The outside area has not been completed yet - winter and lack of funds!

The rooms are made up of either a room and a half for families, or a room with two single beds for single folk who are required to share a room.(Although Ziona, the "Menahelet" – Manager - does try to accommodate folk if she has the space)

Each apartment has a kitchenette, very nicely fitted out with built-in cupboards, a small fridge, hotplates,and an electric kettle. Coffee, tea, sugar, milk and a cake are supplied on arrival in each apartment.

Bathroom facilities contain a hand basin, toilet and shower. Hot water is always available and is controlled by the tenant.

There is an oil (electric heater) - no central heating or air conditioning so I would advise folk to make some arrangement for fans or an extra heater if they feel the heat or cold!! (easy to buy in the area) A pillow and blanket is provided per person. The apartments are clean, bright and airy with built-in cupboards and draws for clothing etc.  They are not serviced and each tenant is responsible for its cleanliness.

There is a central community room for activities, classrooms and a communal dining room which does not provide meals for olim other than groups of youth who come on organized programmes. The last group of olim arrived late on a Friday - after shopping hours –and so were invited to join a group for Fri/Sat meals.

There is a central office – help desk, where you may obtain general information. Ziona is most accessible and very helpful. Each oleh is given help by someone connected to the Merkaz Klita (absorption centre) who speaks their language.

 

The center is situated at the entrance of Karmiel, opposite the main bus terminal and therefore very accessible to public transport in the city or elsewhere in the country with a connecting bus to the train station in Akko. There is a super-market close by and Bank HaPoalim which is where the sochnut (Jewish Agency) opens most accounts for olim. The Post Office is next to the bank. An excellent Shuk ( market) is within walking distance of the center, as well as a variety of other shops, snack bars, fellafel stands, a chemist. The Kupat Cholim clinics and offices (the Health service) are also within walking distance.  Th local malls, shopping centres and many city parks are all easily accessible from the Merkaz Klita.

Karmiel’s Location:

Karmiel is situated in the lower Galilee - between Akko and Sefat – a great location for mountain lovers. It is inland (no sea) the nearest coast and lovely beach being at Akko – about 20 minutes by bus or car on good highways. Sefat is approximately 30 to 40 minutes by car in the opposite direction to Akko traveling North. Kfar Vradim is 20 minutes north of us – a very beautiful residential community with the Tefen Industrial Park close by. Tiberias east of us takes 45 minutes. Nahariya is north of us – 25 minutes - again wonderful beaches, while Haifa - the closest large city to Karmiel is about 45 – 60  minutes away by car – depending on traffic Between Karmiel and Haifa are the Krayot - smaller municipalities which also supply work to our citizens as man "Karmielins" work out of Karmiel in these areas. The bus service and taxi/shuttle to all these areas is excellent and some of the larger companies provide transport for their staff. 

Surrounding Karmiel is the Misgav Regional Council area with many high standard settlements and moshavim, including Moshav Manof and Kibbutz Tuval which were  founded by South Africans which also supplies work opportunities.

We have a good health service with a number of English speaking doctors. As yet we do not have our own hospital and are serviced by hospitals in Nahariya, Haifa and Sefat. 

We have excellent schools, many, many kindergartens and pre-kindergarten institutions, and an excellent college - a lovely cultural centre, shopping malls, shopping centre and shul in each and every location.  There is a fairly large religious community, with both junior and high religious schools, as well as a number of Yishivot.  There is also a conservative congregation which is attended by a large number of English speakers.

Karmiel's citizens are culturally minded and our cultural centre provides entertainment ranging from classical music, ballet, opera etc to Jazz and children's entertainment.   We have a very good music conservatoire  and our sports and community centres provide extra mural activities such as Karate, ballroom dancing etc.

Disabled persons are well provided for and thought of.

The climate here is much milder than the centre or south of Israel in summer and a bit colder in winter - very similar to the Jerusalem climate.

There are approximately 50,000 citizens - very mixed ethnically. 

The Karmiel City Council is exceptionally aware of cleanliness and beauty with parks, trees, lawns and playgrounds in abundance - community centre, sports centre and facilities for pensioners.

 

We have lived here for over 30 years - arrived when Karmiel was a village - fell in love with it and stayed. Hope you all do the same.

Best of luck and once again "A Warm Welcome" from us all.

Carol and all the members of the welcoming committee.

 

For your information, we have attached a number of links which may give you more of an idea about the area and work options:

 Karmiel:    http://www.webscope.com/karmiel/homepage.html
 Karmiel:    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karmiel

 Shorashim : http://www.geocities.com/PicketFence/3114/english.html
 Shorashim:  http://eng.makom-bagalil.org.il/
 Shorashim:  http://www.trendlines.com/direct.asp

 Kfar Vradim: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kfar_Vradim
 Kfar Vradim: http://fotw.fivestarflags.com/il-lckvd.html
 Teffen Industrial Park .

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/business/worldbusiness/18metal.html?ex=1305604800&en=f8fb8

 Misgav & Bar Lev Industrial Park : http://www.misgavtc.com/directions.asp

Best Regards,
Nate Levinthal

Chairperson,
Karmiel Regional Committee.

natie@012.net.il

Phone : 050 8997606