The Kfar Shmaryahu local council is located north of Herzliya, and just a short drive from Tel Aviv. This is one of the most exclusive communities in Israel, where many of its wealthy citizens reside. In Kfar Shmaryahu, one can find more than a few large, magnificent villas, as well as ranch homes that are decades old. Recently Kfar Shmaryahu has experienced another wave of development thanks to a number of new construction projects and land offered for sale.
History and General Background
The Kfar Shmaryahu Local Council was officially founded in May 1937, and was originally an agricultural settlement intended for new immigrants who arrived in Israel from Germany. At that time, the settlement covered 600 dunams with the possibility of building 40 farmhouses, 30 utility buildings, and another 20 lots for housing. The first families who lived in Kfar Shmaryahu were of German origin, and their lives revolved around studying Torah on the Sabbath, and around community life in general. As the years went on, the settlement grew and additional new immigrants arrived, mainly of the sort who had little means. In 1950, the settlement was declared as a local council. Simultaneously, territory was annexed from the adjacent Arab village Al-Haram, whose residents had left during the war of independence. Ten years later, a Reform community, one of the first in Israel, was established in Kfar Shmaryahu, and faced opposition from residents of the local council. Little by little, Kfar Shmaryahu residents learned to accept this community, and even to become a part of it. Today, this is a local council that is considered very exclusive and wealthy, and as having many advantages, one of the main ones being its excellent location near the coastal highway, the beach, the marina, and not far from large central cities.
Characteristics of the Local Population
Most of the residents of the local council are college educated and white collar. A large percentage of them are of European origin, and a significant proportion are native Israelis. A small percentage of the residents are of African or Asian origin, or from America. More than half the residents have a college education, and nearly all of them are veteran citizens of Israel, except for a small percentage of immigrants who arrived in the 1990s. The houses in Kfar Shmaryahu are large, with five or more rooms, and over 65% of them are owned by local residents.
Schools and Preschools
Thanks to Kfar Shmaryahu’s proximity to Herzliya, the local children can take advantage of the many schools in the city, as well as the various preschools. Currently, there are two preschools in Kfar Shmaryahu itself. The closest school is the Nof Yam School, which is nearby and open to the children of Kfar Shmaryahu.
Businesses, Parks, and Entertainment Spots
Residents of Kfar Shmaryahu enjoy throughout the entire year a plethora of activities appropriate for all ages. In the summer months, there are various day camps for children, while in the evening there are a variety of events for adults. The Weil Center is one of the most important complexes in the area, intended for the local community, and hosting an abundance of arts and culture activities. The center is open all hours of the day, and holds theater shows, runs a club for the elderly, as well as classes in various fields. Visitors to Kfar Shmaryahu should not miss one of its most important buildings – Bet Rishonim – which remains from the local council’s very first days. The old council headquarters is another important historical building, serving as a monument to soldiers who have fallen in Israel’s wars. In the northern part of the local council, there is an interesting archaeological site: the Shmaryahu caves, which include 100 very ancient burial caves, were discovered in the 1940s. As far as businesses in Kfar Shmaryahu, one can find several private businesses run by the locals themselves, as well as various shops open throughout the week. Most Kfar Shmaryahu residents make use of the services offered by Herzliya itself, Raanana, or nearby Tel Aviv.
