Little House in the Valley: The Picturesque Moshav in the Jordan Valley

Dreaming of relocation but hesitant to leave family behind?
Meet the families who found a different way—right here in Israel, 2024

It feels like we’re all constantly running—chasing careers, marriage and family, quality of life, and social fulfillment. But in the end, most of us end up exhausted, barely enjoying the journey. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t help either—it forced us to slow down, showing us that sometimes, taking a step back is not only possible but necessary. Still, we can’t escape the thought: Don’t we deserve the quality of life we dream about?

If you’ve always wanted to wake up to birdsong, breathe fresh air free from dust and smog, let your children roam without fear of traffic, and build a vibrant family and community life—maybe it’s time to take action. Sure, it’s intimidating, but that’s why we’re here—to spark your curiosity. Meet the people who took the leap and lived to tell the tale—happily.

“When the Dishwasher Broke”

Einav (40) was born in Haifa and grew up in Timrat. Her husband, Assaf, was raised in Nof HaGalil. When they married, they decided to rent a home in Moshav Tel Adashim. “We were deeply connected to the Jezreel Valley, loved the rural education system, and appreciated the way children were raised there. Unfortunately, due to work circumstances, we had to leave Tel Adashim and move to Hod HaSharon after hearing wonderful things about it.”

But stories and reality don’t always align. Einav and Assaf found themselves living in a rented house, disappointed by the educational frameworks available for their children. “We felt there was a huge gap between what people said and what we actually experienced.”

Owning a home had always been their dream, but it seemed unattainable—until their dishwasher broke. “When we discovered that water had leaked into the sockets, causing an electrical short, we called our landlord. He refused to send an electrician and offered us all kinds of ridiculous solutions. That was the final straw. We were fed up. We decided we were buying a home and moving.”

Thus began their search, which forced them to think outside the box—because, like many, they lacked the funds to buy a home in central Israel. “We’re both government employees working in Jerusalem, so we started considering moshavim in the area. One day, Assaf came across an ad on Facebook about Moshav Na’ama. At first, I thought he’d lost his mind—why on earth would we move there? But we decided to check it out.”

Einav recalls a warm welcome and an open, honest conversation. They made sure to ask the most pressing questions—like whether Amazon deliveries reached the area. “When we finished the meeting and stepped outside, our eldest son, who was six at the time, saw the open spaces and the view. He immediately started running around, playing in the sand with pure joy. We realized how much the fresh air did him good.”