Arutz 7

Quality of Life Is a Mission on Its Own

The faith-based community hasn’t changed its path, but recently, something new has been added to its set of values. These are the most popular housing solutions for religious families seeking a supportive community that isn’t stifling, alongside private homes with gardens, all within reasonable proximity to a major city.

New trends in the national-religious sector: More and more religious families are moving to community-oriented towns that offer a full support system, proximity to central Israel, and comfortable housing, while still allowing for private space.

This trend of mass migration from central Israel to communities such as Neriya and Tal Menashe has been noticeable for a few years now, but it is currently gaining significant traction. The reasonable commuting distance to workplaces in the mornings and access to major highways, particularly proximity to Highway 6, have added another layer of appeal.

The homes these families live in are spacious, and their residents are God-fearing people who combine Torah and Avodah. Additionally, the rising cost of living in the cities, excessive openness, and aging neighborhoods are leading many to converge on one destination.

Back in the early 1990s, the first seeds of migration from the city to settlements began to appear. Rav Michael Hershkovitz, an 80-year-old scholar at Mercaz Harav and a prominent student of Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook, was a resident of Jerusalem at the time. He joined a group of Mercaz Harav students, and together they established a foothold in the settlement of Neriya in the early 1990s. The rest, as they say, is history. Recently, in honor of Rav Hershkovitz's retirement from his Rabbinical role in Neriya, the residents reminisced about those early days.

For example, Rav Tsuki Shandorfi shared a story about Rav Hershkovitz's resourcefulness: "In the beginning, there was only a dirt road here, and the community's transit van was the only vehicle we could use. In the winter, the van wouldn't start because of the cold, so Rav Michael would wrap it in a blanket and cover it with plastic so it would start in the morning."

Since the days of the dusty roads and the old transit van, many years have passed. Today, Neriya has become one of the most flourishing and prominent settlements, with beautiful homes and a Torah-oriented environment that supports its residents. Tehila Caspi, a resident of Neriya for about seven years, came to the town from the Ma’ale Eliyahu yeshiva community in Tel Aviv. She recalls that the joyful Torani atmosphere and the lively Shabbat streets during a visit to her sister-in-law drew her to the place.

“The city wasn’t for me, even though we had an amazing and very good community. When we visited my sister-in-law for Shabbat, everyone kept asking us if we were new here and where we came from. We decided to buy a house here, and we’re so happy we did. We feel we’re adding something positive to the settlement. My husband is part of the emergency response team and the settlement council, and I’m very involved in the community, especially with welcoming new families. We put a lot of effort into helping people with all aspects of life.”

In every event where her family needed support, the Neriya community was there for them. "We went through a difficult family event—a stillbirth—and we were surrounded by a full support network. People kept reaching out, from close circles to more distant ones. The level of support was overwhelming; hardly a day went by without someone calling or sending a message, bringing breakfast, or just being there for us. There are so many good people here."

Despite the strong sense of community, Caspi feels she still has her own privacy. "What’s unique here, in my view, is that there’s no coercion, especially since the settlement is relatively large. Everyone feels comfortable being where they are. Nobody will say anything if you don’t attend a class or prayer service. Nobody invades anyone else’s privacy—it’s a space where you can breathe."

Leading Rabbis Came to Strengthen the Community

One of the defining characteristics of Neriya is its Torah-oriented identity. "For a family that wants to raise their children in a Torah-based way, Neriya is the address," says Michal Gutman, the youth director and cultural coordinator in Neriya. "We have eight kindergartens, a Talmud Torah with close to 700 students, a girls' elementary school that was opened in recent years, two large branches of the Ariel youth movement with about 300 participants in each, a girls' ulpana, and plans to open a high school yeshiva next year."

Gutman also highlights the extensive acts of kindness in the settlement since the outbreak of the war. "As soon as the war began, on October 8, our youth organized a volunteer network to support the families of those drafted, including women who returned to their parents' homes because their husbands were deployed in Gaza. The volunteer network dismantled sukkahs and provided non-stop help to families. It was such a blessing that we held an appreciation evening for the hundreds of youth volunteers."

Alongside the practical support, the town continually worked to strengthen its spiritual side. "We brought in leading Rabbis to provide encouragement, including Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Rav Yigal Kaminetzky, and Rav Shlomo Yosef Weitzen. Additionally, there were evenings of inspiration for women featuring Rabbanit Dina Rapp, Dindin Aviv, Rabbanit Yemima Mizrahi, and Ruchama Ben Yosef, along with joint challah-baking events and gatherings for yeshiva students."

Neriya has also faced significant losses during this period. Three residents—Boaz Menashe Yogev, Uriya Mash, and Neriya Nagari—were killed in the fighting, may their memory be a blessing. "In their memory, we established an afternoon Talmud Torah to add to the Torah learning in their merit. The Talmud Torah is named 'Neriya Ba’oz' after Neriya and Boaz."

Ruth Nahum, the project marketer for Harey Zahav in Neriya and a social worker by profession, describes the growth of Neriya as part of broader developments in the national-religious community. “In smaller settlements, you need to leave for basic services like a grocery store or a school. But in Neriya, everything is here. Even 15 years ago, when I first came, the standout feature of the settlement was its Torah identity and the strong, high-quality Talmud Torah it had.”

What excites Nahum the most, however, is the people. “Everyone here is like a small social network—but not suffocating. No one interferes with your life, but there’s a wide range of community services available. You have the support if you need it, but nobody intrudes. When I think of past experiences elsewhere, people would ask, ‘Where was your husband before? Why did this person travel abroad?’ That doesn’t happen here. Everyone minds their own business.

“At the same time, there are so many groups tailored to specific needs—youth, older residents, young families—you name it. It’s all designed around what the community needs.”

Nahum emphasizes that the balance between community and individuality is what makes Neriya unique. “Some communities are so demanding that it can feel stifling, but not here. Neriya is both strong in its communal framework and relaxed. You have committees, synagogues, cultural events, and everything you could want, but you don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you live your life.”

"When people call and ask me what ‘Torah-oriented’ means, I give them this example: At a lecture, men sit on the right, women on the left. If that’s something you’re comfortable with—welcome! If not, there are plenty of other wonderful places that may suit you better. But the families who come to Neriya do so because they’re looking for this way of life."

From a Group of Pioneer Students to a Thriving Powerhouse

Binyamin Regional Council head Israel Ganz joins the conversation, describing the development of Neriya as part of the region’s broader growth. “In recent years, we’ve been fortunate to witness the expansion of Neriya as a thriving heartbeat within the spectacular Talmonim Bloc. We’re working hard to secure state support for developing infrastructure, especially road networks that will directly connect this area to Route 443. This will take the region to new heights, and with God’s help, we’re making progress.”

Liel Tzur, chair of Neriya’s municipal council, praises Ganz for his efforts and elaborates on the settlement’s remarkable growth: “Over the last 30 years, Neriya has transformed from a group of pioneering Torah scholars into a thriving community of more than 400 families, with plans to nearly double that number in the next decade.

“We’re proud to be a Torah-oriented settlement that accommodates such a diverse array of communities, traditions, and backgrounds. This allows everyone to grow in their own way while maintaining a strong, united communal core that comes together when needed. Each year, our educational institutions, resident services, industry, and commerce continue to expand, enriching everyone’s quality of life.”

Neriya isn’t alone. In Tal Menashe, a community in northern Samaria, the story is much the same. Shgeo Mekonen, a 53-year-old teacher from Pardes Hanna and father of five, highlights the town’s remarkable combination of Torah-oriented living, natural beauty, and educational excellence.

“The education here is exceptional, offering a wide variety of subjects, from Torah studies to high-tech. The teachers are incredible,” he says.

Mekonen also notes the breathtaking views from the settlement. “A person’s surroundings shape who they are. Here, the view is extraordinary. On clear days, I can see the snow-covered Hermon Mountain from my kitchen. It’s stunning.”

Smiling as he talks about the scenery, Mekonen says that the Torah values of the community were a major draw. “There’s a range of Torah classes—for women on Shabbat, daily Daf Yomi groups, and classes for kids in grades one through six. Each class offers a unique spiritual dimension, and one of them is dedicated to the memory of Alon Maor, a resident who passed away a few years ago.”

"The Torah-oriented nature of the settlement is reflected in the way people relate to the community and to others. For example, my wife works as an assistant in a kindergarten. She worked in a similar role elsewhere last year, with children of the same age group, but the kids here in the settlement are amazing because the spirit of Torah fosters proper behavior. There’s even a group of boys who clean the settlement’s pathways—it doesn’t happen by chance. Torah study, values, and the emphasis on the community have had a real impact. At the same time, before moving here, I lived in other settlements, and I can confidently say that ours strikes a balance between personal privacy and community. You really feel it. A person can maintain their privacy and feel much more at ease, while also experiencing closeness to the community and its people. As the synagogue gabbai, I truly sense this dynamic."

A Solution for Young Couples

In his youth Mekonen studied at Yemin Orde High School in Hof HaCarmel and later at Har Etzion Yeshiva. He is a veteran of the Givati Brigade, and these days, having been discharged from reserve duty due to his age, he spends much of his time praying for his children, who are serving in Gaza. "The educational framework here provides solutions for both young couples who need nearby kindergartens, schools, and other afternoon activities, and for slightly older couples whose children are heading to preparatory programs and yeshivas. Many of them choose combat service. Three of my children are reservists—one served in Gaza, and two are still there. At first, it was hard, but we’ve started to get used to it. They reassure us more than we try to encourage them."

The challenges of war have surfaced across almost every religious Zionist community, particularly in Torah-oriented settlements, where enlistment rates are exceptionally high. One such settlement is Neriya in the Binyamin region. "My husband was in Gaza for three months, and the youth here never stopped giving and helping," says Tehila Caspi, a Neriya resident.

"I only had to mention that I needed help, and suddenly my fridge looked like it was Purim with all the food deliveries. For three months, the meals and assistance never stopped coming. Even after my husband returned from Gaza, people continued sending treats—whether because plans had already been made or because they just wanted to keep pampering us. I’m not an exception here. Over a hundred families had someone drafted, and some still do. The youth here went above and beyond to ensure we felt supported, and it really felt like we had someone to lean on. Every Friday, they would send a survey to the wives of soldiers to check what we needed—whether we were set with Shabbat meals or if any help was required. No one was left on their own."

The war deeply affected the community of Tal Menashe. "The community wrapped itself around every family. We’re all one big family here," says Shgeo Mekonen. "One of the amazing aspects of Tal Menashe is the way the community supports new mothers. For an entire week after giving birth, residents take turns bringing meals to the family. It’s very noticeable, and the community really shines not just during crises but in everyday moments as well. Of course, when major challenges arise, like the war, that sense of support only multiplies." Recently, a memorial spring was inaugurated in Tal Menashe in memory of a fallen resident. "It’s open for everyone to visit," Mekonen says. "We held a very emotional event connecting everyone to his legacy. Thank God, there’s so much good being done here."

A Winter Wonderland

Tal Menashe is a Torah-oriented settlement in the northern Samaria bloc, which includes Shaked, Rehan, Hinanit, Mevo Dotan, and Hermesh. Recently, residents have begun preparing for celebrations marking the settlement’s 30th anniversary, planned for this summer. These celebrations won’t just focus on past and present social and settlement achievements—such as establishing the regional religious public school Talalei Orot, organizing volunteer-led Torah lessons and activities for nearby settlements, and more—but also on the future. Harey Zahav is about to begin construction of new housing units as part of Phase A, with further development planned for Phase B.

In the past year and a half, 12 new families—mainly young ones—have joined the Tal Menashe community. Some continue working in their previous jobs, while others have relied on the settlement’s network to find new opportunities in the area. One of the settlement’s major advantages is its proximity to Harish, Highway 6, and key transportation routes, including the train station in Binyamina.

The settlement also operates a highly organized carpool network through WhatsApp, with frequent ride offers and requests. This system allows students at Ariel University or high schoolers studying in central Israel to commute daily without relying on public transportation.

“I was looking for a Torah-oriented community where I could have an impact and connect with nearby non-religious settlements,” says Shlomo Hazut, a Tal Menashe resident and CEO of the Bik’ah Yeshiva, who also markets the Harey Zahav project. "Here, there are educational institutions for all ages, from daycare to elementary school. I see amazing youth with strength, a love for the settlement, a Torah-oriented perspective on life, and a community willing to grow and flourish together."

Hazut continues, "I was captivated by the unique social fabric here. There’s divine assistance guiding both the humble, simple people and those active in Torah. Over the years, we’ve received so much support, advice, and help from many friends. We also enjoy the rich array of Torah classes taught by the Rabbi and others in the settlement, as well as the incredible community we and our children are part of."

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan describes Tal Menashe as “a settlement defined by its amazing community—kind, welcoming, and deeply rooted in Torah values. It’s a place of unparalleled mutual responsibility, far exceeding the norm. The settlement blends young families with more established ones and serves as a hub for community and social life in northern Samaria. Its proximity to Highway 6 is a major urban and municipal advantage. Its location is pure Zionism—no embellishments needed. Tal Menashe perfectly combines Zionism, community, education, and quality of life."

Avihu Strauss, the settlement’s secretary, echoes Dagan’s sentiments: "Tal Menashe is a town that looks like Europe in winter and like a Carmel gem in the summer. It’s Torah-oriented but still manages to be diverse. The residents are incredible—there’s an endless spirit of mutual support, kindness, and collaboration. There’s no malice here. Every single person is remarkable. Even though I’m not originally from this settlement, it’s the most beautiful place to grow up. It offers everything you could want for your family."

Trends in the national-religious community are always subject to change. However, consistent growth over many years, especially in recent years, demonstrates that Torah-oriented settlements like Neriya and Tal Menashe remain the destinations of choice for the faith-based community—and their appeal is only growing.