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The below information may also be viewed at the following website: www.yeshabulletin.com
About Kochav Yaakov
Kochav Yaakov is located in the Binyamin region. Kochav Yaakov is a beautiful, friendly and lively mixed-observant Jewish community just 6 miles (10 kilometers) north of Jerusalem. It is currently the home to over 1000 families, many different synagogues and minyanim, wonderful schools and activities for the youth.
Kochav Yaakov was named after the illustrious Rav Yaakov Abuchatzeira z”l, who was fondly referred to as ‘Abir Yaakov’, which also was the original name of the community. A small group of idealistic and dedicated families established the yishuv in 1984. Since then, it has grown into a formidable satellite Jerusalem community offering a warm friendly atmosphere, with fresh air, and a quality of life that is impossible to achieve in the nearby city, less than 15 minutes away.
Kochav Yaakov is slated to expand into a large suburb and one day to hopefully link up with Jerusalem!
Residents
Residents of Kochav Yaakov come from all over the globe; America, Argentina, Ethiopia, France, England, Holland, Mexico, Peru, Russia, etc. This gives a special flavor to our community which we are proud of!
Those living in Kochav Ya’Acov cover a wide spectrum of age groups ranging from young married couples to parents in their 70’s, but mostly the age group of 30’s-40’s -50’s. When you come to Kochav Yaakov, you come to the REAL Israel, where you will learn Hebrew, but we also have a very close and friendly English speaking community (15-20%) as well which is very active!
We hope that you will choose to join the dynamic growing community of Kochav Yaakov which encompasses true Ahavat Yisrael.
Education
Kochav Yaakov offers a wide spectrum of educational facilities.
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Day Care Center (Maon)
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Nursery School (Gan)
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Kindergarten (Separate for boys and girls)
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Elementary school (Separate for boys and girls)
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Girl’s Jr. High and High School
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Boys in Jr. High study in the area school which is located in Bet El. A school bus is provided for a 15 minute ride.
Housing
Kochav Yaakov is made up of different sections. “Shlav Alef” and “Bet” are the first group of houses that were built on the yishuv – they are located on the aerial map shown. “Shlav Gimmel” was added a few years later and is the first row of homes as one enters into the yishuv – it is located just above “Shlav Alef”. “Shlav Daled” is the newest section of homes on the yishuv – it is located in the lower section of the aerial map and comes around behind the Commercial Center, which is itself located in the center of the yishuv.
There are two caravan sections on the yishuv which house new immigrants and young married couples. They are located in the Giva and the Ma’arav – the areas in the top right hand part of the map, right of Tel Tzion.
Ohr HaKochav is a new neighborhood that was built, and is located just along the entrance road to the Yishuv on the lower left hand corner of the aerial map.
Transportation
Kochav Yaakov is located just 12 minutes by car from Jerusalem and 25 minutes from Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station.
There are at least two separate bus lines that service Kochav Yaakov. Additional buses such as the #170 to Bet El and other buses to destinations further north, stop at the Delek Gas Station. From there, ‘tremps’ or ‘rides’ are easily caught back to Kochav Yaakov. There are bus stops all through Jerusalem on the Kochav Yaakov route. A special hitch-hiking station is located at the French Hill Junction where many drivers stop to pick up passengers on their way home.
The #143 bus serves Kochav Yaakov and Tel Tzion. It runs at least every hour, with more buses running during peak hours. The #179 bus line runs twice daily. All together, there are over 30 buses a day that serve Kochav Yaakov!
A bus schedule can be obtained from Veronique Korchia at the Mazkirut or on the Egged Busline site: www.egged.co.il
Cultural Activities
Many activities are available for children and adults including aerobics, karate, music dance, computers, soccer and more.
A variety of social events also enhance life in Kochav Ya’acov: Guest speakers, fun evenings, shiurims, etc
Religious Life
Kochav Yaakov is the closest religious yishuv north of Jerusalem, and offers a wide variety of modern conveniences and services. Kochav Yaakov is the newest, up and coming, Jerusalem satellite community!
It is a religious heterogenious community spanning from Haredi to National Religious (Knitted Kippah), to Sepharadi, Ashkenazi, Yeminite, to Hebrew, French and English speaking residents, all living together in harmony and ahavat yisrael!
There are many minyanim/ synagogues in Kochav Yaakov; Sepharadi, Ashkenazi, Yemmenite, Chabad, Breslov, and even vatikin (neytz). The main shul is the Sepharadi shul and it is temporarily located above the Makolet (a new Central shul is currently under construction).
The Ashkenazi shul is also temporarily located in Shlav Bet, in a converted shelter near a playground. Smaller shuls are located all over the yishuv. A Chabad Shul is located near the entrance of the Yishuv. In a addition, a special ‘late’ Chabad Shabbat service is held at 10:00am in neighboring Tel Tzion. There are many more shuls in neighboring Tel Tzion.
The Rabbi of Kochav Yaakov is Rav Shaul Boczko who is also the head of the Hesder Yeshiva here.
Kochav Yaakov offers classes for men, women and children! Shiurim (Torah classes) are offered in Hebrew, English, French, and even Spanish! There is also a Kollel on the yishuv.
* Special Women’s English speaking Shabbat Shiur is held every Shabbat (late afternoons) on a rotating home basis. This is an interactive class. Your questions, comments and participation are most welcome! If you need to, you can bring your small children and babies with you to the shiur!
Mikvot for men and women are also available, located next to the Kupot Leumit. There is also a clei mikvah. Entrance fee is 15 shekels (towels are supplied). First year Olim enter free.
Community Services
Many after School Activities/Clubs are offered, such as: jazz dance, ballet, aerobics, judo, guitar, computers etc. Class/Club offerings may change yearly, depending on demand and registration.
The Ezra Youth Movement offers many activities for youth ages 9 to 14 years old, or 3rd to 9th grades. Separate groups for both boys and girls. Meets Tuesdays and Shabbat afternoons. Summer camp is also available for kids.
Mo’adon/ Club House (Caravan) is located up the hill towards the Givah. Many meetings are held here as well as classes for aerobics, jazz, gymnastics, etc. The mo’adon can also be reserved for ‘Simchas’ or celebratory occasions. Call the Mazkirut to reserve the hall (and to make catering arrangements).
The Library which is located next to the makolet, is run by Librarian –Daphna Mimran. The library is open at specific times and also offers special activities for kids like ‘Story Hour’ and the Learning Center which offers help to kids in their homework in English and Math. Help is for 3rd graders and up. There is a yearly membership charge for the library. Books are available in many languages (Hebrew, English, French) We welcome book donations!
A sports center complex is being built in the lower part of the yishuv. The complex plans to include modern weight rooms, squash courts, and locker rooms as well a separate pool for men and women to enable all day swimming! Currently, a new weight room is located in the industrial center below the Makolet. A basket ball court is already built and has lights for night time playing.
Health Services
The following health service clinics are available in Kochav Yaakov:
Leumit is located on the Yishuv near the central bus stop by the Mikva. A doctor and nurse are on the premises everyday. Blood tests every morning except Fridays. Mother and child care center (Tipat Chalav) offers services for children’s vaccinations until six years of age).
Maccabee is located at # 6 Shivat Tzion Street. There is a doctor and nurse on the premises every weekday (hours vary). Blood tests taken every Thursday morning between 7:15 – 7:45am. Pharmaceutics available.
Meuchedet & Clalit Clinics Hours: from 7am. You must call for an appointment. Blood tests are taken every morning 7:30am – 9:30am except Fridays.
Ambulance: Dial *101 Kochav Yaakov provides ambulance services and the “Hadassah Har HaTzofim Hospital” is just 15 minutes away.
Commerce
A local makolet-grocery store is open from 6:30 am till 7 pm. (8pm in the summer months!) Friendly service with Hebrew, English, French and Spanish speaking staff. The Makolet offers free home delivery for orders over 150 NIS. Too tired to even shop? Call or fax your order in and have it packed and delivered for free the same day, or e-mail your order one day in advance to simonab@netvision.net.il simonab@netvision.net.il .
The store is stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and chicken cut to your specifications, and of course all the regular products a grocery offers. In addition, you will be able to find a selection of some American brands for your cooking and dining pleasure. Fresh baked goods are baked on the premises every Friday before Shabbat. The Jerusalem Post (English) news paper is available on Fridays as well.
The local Hardware Store…Need some things for the House? Dishes, building supplies, electrical items and much more can be found by Yossi at ‘Kol Bo HaKochav’ located near the entrance of the Yishuv. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask Yossi, he can order it for you!
For a General Store/Gift Shop Moshe Cohen runs this small shop which also sells school books and school supplies, bicycle supplies & repairs, toys and gifts, helium balloons and much, much more!
Other businesses include Pizza and Falafel shops, Dry Cleaners, Carpentry, Metal Work, Car Repair, Catering, etc.
There are also home based businesses; clothing outlets, cosmetology, hair cutting, reflexology, and more.
Physical Surroundings
In addition to the stark beauty of these hills, there is an intangible quality to Kochav Yaakov that is very spiritual in nature. It can be sensed as you drive along the tree-lined yishuv entry.
To the left is the new Shlav Hey homes that hint to the growth spurt of the community.
Up the hill is Tel Tzion and the sentry-like visual quality of the apartment buildings on the outer ring of the mount. To the right is the entrance to Kochav Yaakov with a beautiful mosaic imbedded into the stone wall to welcome and bless all who come. A sudden feeling of “home” overtakes the senses and even without knowing a single person, you feel as if you “belong”.
Absorption
The Kochav Yaakov and Tel Tzion communities are eager to welcome and absorb new immigrants and offer a wonderful program to help new Olim. Even before you arrive, preparations are made for an easier transition, an especially true welcome while awaiting your lift. We offer “family buddies” to help you get your bearings for the first year, and it is soon clear that these “assignments” turn into life-long friendships!
We have an aliyah councilor on staff to help olim in their first year. Our councilor helps the oleh obtain the proper registrations and paper work needed for an easier absorption into the country. Please email Tamar for more information. Email: tamaryonah@yahoo.com
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(Last Update: 15:24 @ 13.08.08)