Published in Women's Magazine

Making Neighborhood | Sarit Levi Ashkenazi

Yael and Avraham Bloom are looking forward to the moment when they settle in their permanent home in Karnei Shomron – a settlement shared by religious and secular people. In the meantime, they are learning about the developing settlement and are excited about meeting the neighbors

Avraham (29) and Yael (28) Bloom, he is an economist at Precise company which provides economic consulting services in architectural offices, and she is a kindergarten teacher in a communication kindergarten in Rosh HaAyin.

Status: Married for five and a half years and parents to two daughters – Yuval aged three and Noam aged one year and two months.

Address in Waze: Currently Revava, planning to move to Ma'ale Shomron.

From where to where?

Yael grew up in Petah Tikva and Avraham in Kedumim, and both wanted to stay close to family. "A few days after the wedding we found ourselves in Revava. It was a reasonable distance from the parents and we always loved Samaria and its landscapes, there is different air and atmosphere in Samaria", they smile. "Our caravan is sweet, but thank God the family expanded and it became a bit crowded. When we heard about the construction in the Ma'ale Shomron neighborhood in Karnei Shomron, we immediately understood that it is perfect for us and our needs. This is a growing neighborhood, which is really like a settlement of its own".

Living together

The population in Karnei Shomron is mixed and composed of religious and secular public that maintains shared life. "As someone who grew up in Petah Tikva, shared life is not foreign to me", explains Yael. "As far as we know, in the mixed neighborhoods in Karnei Shomron a Shabbat atmosphere is maintained in the public space and good neighborly relations exist. We believe in listening to other opinions and in openness, and at the same time hope to find a community and religious environment where we can raise our children on the same principles and values".

Beloved things in the settlement

"The construction project that includes about 100 homes is located near a grove, and everything around is green. For Avraham the settlement reminds him of the landscape of his childhood, and in Karnei Shomron there are all the 'urban' services – shopping centers, Super-Pharm, bank, education and medical services", explains Yael.

In the same status

"Young families and also many religious families in our status religiously and family-wise are supposed to arrive at the neighborhood", says Yael. "Like in any religious community, we have an expectation to find good friends and pleasant neighborly relations, and we hope we'll feel comfortable asking for a cucumber for the children's dinner if we get stuck", the couple laughs. "We dream of shared meals, trips and good atmosphere". According to them, they haven't yet had the privilege to meet the future neighbors, but they believe and hope for the best.

Days of war

Avraham was drafted to reserves on October 7th and Yael, who stayed with the two daughters, went later to her parents. "Our caravan neighborhood emptied out. All the young women who remained alone moved to family or close to parents". Avraham served in reserves for four months and is supposed to be drafted again during the holiday season. "I plan to be most of the time with the parents", shares Yael. "I pray that we won't face a similar situation again, but I hope that in the new home I'll find good neighbors with whom I can spend happy and challenging times alike".

A place to pray in

In Karnei Shomron there is a wide variety of synagogues operating in Sephardi, Ashkenazi, Mizrahi customs, a Yemenite synagogue and a Chabad house. Daily prayers, lessons and cultural activities for all ages are held in them, in Hebrew and English. "The Ma'ale Shomron neighborhood is developing and additional synagogues, playgrounds and kindergartens are supposed to be built in it", they tell proudly. "I have a fixed custom to study with a study partner on Friday at ease over a beer", shares Avraham. "We want to hope that we'll find guys with a head similar to ours with whom we can continue to build our spiritual building".

A place to hang out

In Karnei Shomron there is a pool and gyms, and a variety of businesses and places to eat such as pizzerias, hamburger, sushi, ice cream and Eliahu hummus. "Bowling and movie theaters are in Kfar Saba, a short drive away. In addition, we love to go out to coffee carts and create time just for the two of us in the race of life. A coffee cart that is especially beloved to us is called 'Copikana' and is located in the views on Nahal Kanah, and there is a pampering food truck at the entrance to Kedumim called 'Taboom', which is located a quarter hour drive from Karnei Shomron".

A place for shopping

"In the settlement there are clothing stores for girls, a second-hand clothing store, jewelry stores, gifts, a store that sells pet products, a health store and so on. But for real shopping we'll probably need to go out to Kfar Saba".

Education system

In Karnei Shomron there are many and diverse educational frameworks including kindergartens, daycares, a state school and three state-religious schools. There is also a high school yeshiva and a new ulpana is being built in addition to the nearby ulpana in Kedumim. "Our daughters are still young, but the fact that diverse and convenient options will open for them definitely creates a good feeling".

Main grocery

Besides the grocery store, there is a supermarket in Karnei Shomron and it is possible to place orders from the major chains. "By the time we get to Karnei Shomron we are sure that the commercial field will continue to develop".

Expectation

Recently the couple decided to buy a home in a project of "Harei Zahav" company in Ma'ale Shomron, which is supposed to be populated in about three years. "We loved the technical specification of the apartment and we are in great anticipation to enjoy a home that includes a spacious living room, wide kitchen and large garden". The couple says they spend a lot of time in the kitchen with Yael conducting the baking department and Avraham the cooking. "We are waiting to host friends and family members at home and to honor them with delicacies made by our hands".