About Kedumim  back to top^
In 1975, a group of young idealistic pioneers settled on a hilltop in Samaria. There had been seven unsuccessful attempts to settle near Sebastia, the ancient capital of Samaria, until a historic compromise was reached and the community of Kedumim was launched. For the first time in centuries, Jewish life had returned to the ancient mountains in the center of Eretz Israel.

Daniella Weiss, Mayor of Kedumim since 1996, was one of the founders of
Kedumim. Her incredible vision, combined with a strong commitment to Zionism and the settlement movement, has propelled Kedumim towards greater advances and developments since its very inception. 

During the past 5 years, Kedumim has grown as hundreds of new families have moved into the community, public institutions have been strengthened and municipal services expanded.

Residents  back to top^
Kedumim combines the essence of Zionist idealism with the best of modern life, including superb education, social activities, religious facilities, health services, residential and industrial development.

In Kedumim you will find a quality community, a national-religious atmosphere, and people from a variety of backgrounds who take pride in their Judaism and the settlement of Eretz Israel. Kedumim boasts an open, tolerant community, a model society blending veteran residents with a constant stream of newcomers. This rich assortment of native-born Israelis and immigrants from all over the globe makes Kedumim a dynamic, growing populace. 

It is precisely this dynamic community spirit which has led many grown children of Kedumim to build their own homes in the community when starting families of their own.

Education back to top^
Kedumim's education network serves residents of all ages, from infants to golden-agers. The system includes 4 day care centers, 9 pre-schools, after-school day care and enrichment programs, two elementary schools, a high school for girls, two high schools for boys and a Yeshiva Gedola
(Rabbinical Seminary).

The Bnei Chayil Shomron Yeshiva High School provides a quality education for boys with ADD and ADHD (Attention Deficit(Hyperactivity) Disorder while
ensuring a religious atmosphere and a full complement of Jewish studies. Situated in temporary facilities, Kedumim has just begun a building campaign to raise funds for a proper campus. The Ministry of Education has promised matching funds in order to complete the project.

The Har Ephraim Yeshiva High School is a dormitory facility for boys from all over Israel. Their unique program in agriculture and life-sciences has made it an attractive school for so many religious teen-agers.
 

The Lehava High School for Girls is one of the finest high schools in the country. A recipient of the Education Ministry's Prize for Excellence in Education, Lehava has long been a pioneer in innovative curricula. Its creative programs include agricultural projects for its life sciences students and a unique program which integrates literature and the arts with the study of Tanach (Bible)Today, there are some 1,000 students at Lehava, including 135 residential students of Ethiopian origin who have found social integration and academic opportunity at Lehava.

The primary goal of the Tapuach Hapayis is to raise the level of science and technology in students via academic achievement. The activities of the center are presented both in the framework of formal and informal education.  The center is meant to serve all educational institutes in our area: kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools.

Housing back to top^
Founded in 1975 by a few families in caravans, Kedumim now offers affordable housing in magnificent surroundings. We are presently completing the neighborhood of Mitzpeh Yishai, a neighborhood of young families. It's on a hilltop with a breathtaking view.

In  the newly founded neighborhoods of Zofnat and Mitzpeh Kedumim, houses are being custom built to meet each families needs. Residents of these neighborhoods range from newly married couples to grandparents.

The price of houses in Kedumim begins at $100,000 and varies according to size, neighborhood and contractor.

Houses are also available for rent.

Transportation back to top^
Kedumim is within easy commuting distance to all major cities in Israel: 30 minutes to Petach Tikvah, 50 minutes to Tel-Aviv, 20 minutes to Kfar Saba, 60 minutes to Haifa and Jerusalem, 40 minutes to the Jordan Valley. Public transportation is both convenient and frequent with hourly bus service to major cities.

Cultural Activities back to top^
Cultural events for adults and families have included concerts, educational tours, and social gatherings for holidays and other special occasions. Memorial Day, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Independence Day are always marked with moving ceremonies and dramatic performances.

• Music Academy
• Library
• Youth Activities
• Yachdav Senior Citizens Center
• The Yad LeZehava Holocaust Research Institute
   
  

Religious Life back to top^
Kedumim is an open community, welcoming of all Jews regardless of their level of religious observance. Most of Kedumim’s residents are Orthodox Jews and religious services are central to their lives. 

There are 14 synagogues in Kedumim, including two Yemenite and three Sephardic synagogues.   The central synagogue, Mishkan Meir, dominates the landscape in the center of the community. It includes a social hall utilized by area residents for weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, and other events.  In a number of the newer communities, residents are currently using temporary facilities such as shelters and caravans as synagogues. Efforts are being made to build permanent buildings in these areas as well.

The Yeshiva Gevoha not only serves the yeshiva students,  but also offers kollel studies for men after work hours, as well as in the morning for those who are available. 

The Chief Rabbi of Kedumim is Rabbi Zvi Farbstein, fondly called Harav Zvi by the community. As a brilliant, young student, Harav Zvi came to the Yeshiva Gevoha in Kedumim where he was nurtured by the revered Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchak Ben-Shachar. Harav Zvi got married, and together with his wife, Sarah, and their large family, they made Kedumim their home and their beloved congregation.

Community Services back to top^
The municipality provides a full complement of enrichment programs and cultural activities for residents of all ages.There are close to 50 different classes given each week, for children and adults alike, in such areas as art, crafts, dance, basketball, judo and computers. Special events for children include plays and puppet shows, summer camps and special outings. There is a swimming pool in Kedumim as well as basketball and soccer courts and a large gym. 

Kedumim also has a wonderful library, run mostly by volunteers, complete with internet access children's games room. The library also serves special groups, such as National Service volunteers in the Yishuv, soldiers serving in the area, residents of neighboring settlements, senior citizens, the physical challenged, visually impaired, hearing impaired and local special-education facilities.

The Morrey Seaman School of Music, donated by the son. Atty. Dennis Seaman from Cleveland, Ohio, is already operating in the beautiful new building, providing music instruction to hundreds of students.

"Yachdav" (together), the Senior citizens center, in Kedumim provides a variety of activities for the senior citizen population. Since many of the local youth choose to make their home in Kedumim after marrying, great grandparents and grandparents have moved here to be closer to their families.  New immigrant members as well as the “old-timers” enjoy the warm atmosphere and individual care of the center. Activities include regular meetings, lectures and field trips.

Health Services back to top^
Clalit, Leumit and Meuhedet health services are all available.

Commerce back to top^
Many people are employed in Kedumim at local industries, agriculture, and services, while others find work in nearby towns like Ariel, Barkan and Karnei Shomron. Some also work in nearby cities like Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba and Petach Tikva.

Physical Surroundings back to top^
From Kedumim, one enjoys a panoramic view of the neighboring hilltops and
beyond, reaching as far as the coastline. There are twelve neighborhoods in
Kedumim, spread across its many hilltops and valleys.

Greenhouses for house plants, vegetables and blueberries; turkey and chicken farms; vineyards and orchards.

Absorption back to top^

For information, please call Henya Moses, director of the Department of Absorption in
Kedumim: 972-9-7922075 or henya@kedumim.org.il