The Misgav region offers a variety of community options, in rural settings, in the picturesque hills of the Galilee. The twenty - eight Misgav communities which include villages, moshavim and kibbutzim, all provide social, cultural, educational and religious activities in a young dynamic region. Misgav’s priorities include educational excellence, pluralistic tolerance, cultural quality and providing varied employment options.
Community and Population
Most of the Misgav villages are defined as community settlements each with its own distinctive character and atmosphere. The communities vary in size from 40 to 200 families, all with varying religious approaches, including conservative, orthodox, new age, reform, etc.
There are settlements that were started by groups of Americans or South Africans and which have a specific style. Other communities include those for persons with special needs or for those who practice Transcendental Meditation.
They all live side by side with the Bedouin and Druze villages and towns, working together as communities within a larger community. Most are run on a self-governing principle, with the majority of the jobs filled by volunteers within the community.
The majority of the 15,000 residents live a quality rural lifestyle in one-family detached homes.
The Region boasts a rich cultural and social network, within all these communities.
Education
Known throughout Israel as a creative educational force, Misgav expresses her educational values through emphasis on quality, philosophy, approach and content. Utilizing both its surrounding fertile natural environment and its neighboring Bedouin and Bedoiun population, the Misgav educational system instills a deep respect for the earth’s natural resources. This includes activities on ecologic awareness, together with tolerance and mutual respect for different communities.
The first dual language Jewish –Arab experimental school has been established in Misgav, while throughout the school system, active parent involvement is encouraged, music is emphasized, and small animals are used in the classrooms for therapeutic and educational purposes.
Both formal and informal education is offered to children from the age of three months to eighteen years. These include a wide range of after- school activities such as drama, sports, dance, music and languages. Misgav residents consider themselves purveyors of the Zionist ideal, and through emphasis on Jewish culture and identity, instill these values in their children.
Institutes of higher education offer a number of learning opportunities in the fields of arts and sciences, humanities and technology.
Employment
The well-educated and highly skilled population of Misgav has helped create many of their own employment opportunities. Many of Israel’s hi-tech companies including international companies such as, I.B.M., Microsoft and Intel relocated in the area, after realizing the rich work pool potential. The tourism industry has grown as a result of the numerous skilled crafts people, artists and practitioners of holistic therapy.
Local residents have initiated Cottage industries and handicraft studios, as well as Bed and Breakfast cottages throughout this ideal vacationers spot. Four advanced industrial parks exist in the region with hundreds of companies in a variety of fields. They host some of the countries most successful start-ups and serve as a model for environmentally responsible economic development. The high percentage of academically trained and highly skilled residents in Misgav, situated in a number of scattered communities, has lead to the growing popularity of self-employed professionals working from home. Other opportunities exist in industry, education and service positions.
Culture and Services
Basic services, day- care and pre- school frameworks are available in the individual communities, while more extensive services, elementary and high schools are located in the Services Center and Municipal facilities. Other Central facilities include: The Misgav Regional Library, A community center and country club, The Regional Welfare Center and two medical clinics. Misgav puts an emphasis on culture and sports, and provides excellent opportunities for both learning and pleasure.
Two high quality and creative festivals that were initiated in Misgav give the residents an opportunity to market their region, their services and their wares. These include The Misgav Music and Nature festival on Passover, and the country’s only joint Arab-Jewish organized event, The Olive Festival, that is a tribute to the olive harvest that takes place in autumn. It includes performances, and olive pressing operations from historic to modern- day. It is a regional celebration with activities taking place throughout the different communities.
Absorption
Misgav residents have a history of having successfully absorbed olim from all over the world. Based on personal preference, families will be able to buy, build or rent a home in one of their communities. Housing costs vary from community to community but, generally, single-family homes, including all development and infrastructure costs, range from $130,000 to $250,000. Rentals range from $350 to $600 per month.
For additional information please contact
in Israel:
The Misgav Regional Council
D.N. Misgav 20179
Tel. 04-9902311, Fax. 04-9902315
The Absorption Desk at Misgav
Sharon Shafrir
Tel. 04-9902383 or Sharon@misgav.org.il
Last updated: Tuesday, August 12, 2003