Moshav Rishpon, a worker community belonging to the Hof Hasharon Regional Council, is considered one of the most exclusive moshavs in the central region, and in Israel generally, and it has maintained this reputation for many years. Due to its location, adjacent to Kfar Shmaryahu and not far from Tel Aviv and Raanana, Rishpon attracts many people interested in enjoying the high quality of life that can be had in this tranquil and relaxed atmosphere just a stone’s throw from the big city. In the last few years, various construction projects have started to be built on the moshav, and some of its land is being offered for sale for purposes of construction. This construction is taking place alongside magnificent, stylized houses that are hard to ignore, as well as a few old ranch homes that were built on the moshav back in its early days by local families.
History and General Background
Moshav Rishpon, established in 1936, is one of the wealthiest moshavs in Israel, and it borders on the south with Kfar Shmaryahu, on the east with Raanana, on the north with Kibbutz Shfayim, and on the west with the Haifa-Tel Aviv highway. Rishpon was established on the land of an ancient city, which had been a well-known port city. Over the years since its founding, Rishpon has gone through more than a few difficult events, especially during the period of the establishment of the State of Israel. In the beginning of November 1948, infiltrators penetrated the moshav and murdered one of its residents. During this infiltration, the wife of the murder victim was kidnapped and taken outside of Israel’s borders, regaining her freedom only after a number of weeks. A few months later there was another infiltration during which a moshav resident was murdered. Despite such incidents, Moshav Rishpon succeeded in maintaining its character and fortitude, and has attracted many people who have made it their home.
Characteristics of the Local Population
The residents of Moshav Rishpon belong to the middle and upper classes. Approximately a third have a college education, with another third holding matriculation diplomas. A high percentage are white collar workers, and most of Rishpon’s residents are native Israelis. Some residents come from various European countries, and a small percentage is of African or Asian origin, or from America. Nearly all Rishpon residents are veteran citizens born on the moshav, with a small percentage of immigrants who arrived in Israel in the 1990s. Most of the houses in Rishpon are owned by the residents, and they are of medium size, with 3 to 4 rooms each. There are more than a few Rishpon residents who rent their homes, most of them families with children.
Schools and Preschools
As this is a large moshav with quite a few families, it possesses many educational frameworks. For young children, there are a number of preschools and daycare centers, and for older children there is the joint Kfar Shmaryahu-Hof Hasharon elementary school for grades 1-6, with children coming from Rishpon, Kfar Shmaryahu, and Kibbutz Galil Yam. For high school students, there is the Hof Hasharon School, with grades 7-12. The Scouts youth movement has a local branch offering a variety of activities for a broad range of ages.
Businesses, Entertainment Spots, and Interesting Sites
In order to offer Rishpon residents exciting community life, the moshav recreation hall hosts various events, such as interesting exhibitions, shows, workshops, etc. Rishpon has a library open to residents, a grocery store, a synagogue, and even tennis courts for tennis enthusiasts. Thanks to Rishpons’s proximity to large central cities, residents enjoy a very wide variety of options. They can get to Tel Aviv in a short time, or to Herzliya and its wonderful beaches. The adjacent Kibbutz Shfayim offers great water activities, and the moshav itself allows someone looking for quality of life and a different sort of atmosphere to enjoy all of this and more. The train station in Kfar Shmaryahu serves many of Rishpons residents interested in traveling north or south with maximum convenience.
