THE MAGAZINE
Israel Real Estate
SEPTEMBER 2026
Yossi Avrahami
From Eilat to Projects Across Israel Today, the Group has thousands of residential units in various stages of planning and construction, together with extensive activity in urban renewal. But its size is only part of the story. The company points to its ability to oversee a project from beginning to end as one of its key strengths. That continuity can make a significant difference. In construction, design decisions affect execution, and changes on site can affect planning. Keeping the two sides closely connected can allow for greater coordination, professional continuity and control—particularly in an industry currently dealing with challenges such as labor shortages and fluctuating construction costs. The Group has also developed particular expertise in high-end construction, where buyers may arrive with detailed requirements and expect a particularly high
When Experience Meets Execution
level of finish. Its emphasis, according to the company,
Buying a home is never just about square meters, a view or even the price. Increasingly, buyers in Israel want to know something else: Who is actually standing behind the project? That question has become more important in recent years. Buyers are looking closely at a developer’s track record, construction capabilities and, perhaps most importantly, its ability to take responsibility for a project from the first plans through to the moment the keys are handed over.
is on listening carefully to the client and translating those expectations into precise execution. The same combination of planning and construction experience comes into play in urban renewal, where projects demand years of coordination with residents, municipalities and planning authorities, often while construction is taking place in the heart of an existing neighbourhood. For overseas buyers, the question of who stands behind a project can carry even greater weight. Purchasing a home in Israel from abroad requires confidence not only
One Address for the Entire Process
in the apartment, but in the company that will be there
That is where the Yossi Avrahami Group’s model differs from much of the industry. For more than four decades, the Group has combined two roles that are often separated: developer and builder. Rather than handing construction over entirely to outside contractors, it carries out building work through its own
throughout the process. From its beginnings as a contractor in southern Israel to its projects across the country today, the Yossi Avrahami Group’s story reflects a broader change in the Israeli property market: the home matters, but so does the name behind it.
contracting companies. In practical terms, that means responsibility remains within the same organization throughout the project. It is not a new formula devised for today’s market. It goes back to the company’s beginnings. Yossi Avrahami started his career in southern Israel as a building contractor before becoming a developer. Much of his early work was in Eilat, where he built numerous residential projects and laid the foundations for what would eventually become a nationwide real estate group.
THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
3
Would You Pay $500,000 Just for a Sukkah Balcony?
surrounded by the beauty of Jerusalem. If you host a lot, have a large family or simply love spending time outdoors, it can be an amazing feature. But then comes the question that I think every buyer should ask themselves: How much is that experience worth to you? Because half a million dollars is a lot of money. It is also important to point out that $500,000 is not an exact figure. Depending on the property, the premium for a sukkah balcony could be less or a lot more. And sometimes, when you are already looking at expensive apartments, it is easy to get caught up in the idea that you might as well have everything. If you are spending several million dollars on a home, why not spend a little more and get the sukkah balcony too? But an extra $500,000 isn’t really “just a little
There is something incredibly special about Sukkot in Jerusalem.
more.”
The weather is beautiful, the city is full of life, families
It could be the difference between one apartment and
are together, friends are visiting, and suddenly so much
another. It could go towards a better location, another
of life moves outdoors. You sit around a table with good
bedroom, a renovation, a better view, or simply a much
food, good company and, hopefully, a beautiful view of
smaller mortgage.
Jerusalem.
And perhaps most importantly, there are other ways to
Maybe you are looking out towards the Old City. Maybe
enjoy Sukkot.
you see the hills stretching out beyond the city. Or
Jerusalem has no shortage of beautiful places to put a
perhaps you are simply looking over the rooftops and
sukkah. A rooftop can be incredible, especially when you
streets below. There is something about being outside in
have the city spread out around you. A courtyard can
Jerusalem at this time of year that is difficult to describe
create a completely different atmosphere. A communal
until you experience it.
sukkah can be full of children, neighbours, friends and
For one week, the sukkah becomes the centre of family
family.
life. Meals take longer, people stay a little later, children
Sometimes the setting is not what makes the holiday
come and go, and there is a different feeling in the home.
special.
And if you have a beautiful space for your sukkah, even
It is the people.
better.
It is easy when buying a home to want it to tick every
This is where I started thinking about something I see
single box. The right location, the right view, enough
quite often when showing apartments in Jerusalem.
bedrooms, parking, outdoor space and the perfect place
Would you pay an extra $500,000 for a sukkah balcony?
for your sukkah. But the reality is that every extra box
It sounds like a crazy question.
you tick usually comes with a price. And sometimes, you
But in Jerusalem, depending on the apartment, the
have to decide which things really matter most to you.
building and the location, having the right outdoor space
Of course, if you can have all of that and a beautiful
can make a very significant difference to the price.
private sukkah balcony, that is wonderful.
And I completely understand why.
But when buying a home, every luxury comes with a
Imagine opening your living room doors and stepping
price.
straight into your sukkah. Your family is sitting outside,
The question isn’t whether the feature is nice. It obviously
dinner is being served, the weather is perfect, and you are
is.
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THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
The question is whether it is worth the premium for you.
So if someone offered you two similar apartments and one
This is something I think about with almost every property
cost $500,000 more because it had the perfect sukkah
I show. Buyers often have a list of things they would love
balcony, which would you choose?
to have: a great view, a large terrace, parking, an elevator,
For one family, the answer might be obvious.
an extra bedroom, a beautiful kitchen, a quiet street, a
For another, they might look at that $500,000 and think
sukkah balcony.
about all the other things they could do with it.
And there is nothing wrong with wanting those things.
There is no right answer.
But the more boxes you want to tick, the more expensive
That is what makes buying a home so personal. You are
the apartment becomes.
not just choosing square metres, bedrooms and balconies.
Sometimes the smartest purchase isn’t the apartment that
You are choosing how you want to live.
has absolutely everything. It is the apartment that has the
And when Sukkot comes around, whether you are sitting
things that matter most to your family, while leaving you
on your own balcony, on a rooftop, in a courtyard or
with the flexibility to spend your money where it will make
somewhere else in Jerusalem, you can still have that
the biggest difference to your life.
same beautiful moment: sitting around the table with the people you love, looking out at Jerusalem and feeling incredibly lucky to be here. Disclaimer: This article is not data-based but rather based on Ben Levene’s personal market experience and opinions. No decisions should be made without thorough due diligence and professional financial advice. Ben Levene, CEO of CapitIL Real Estate, brings over 15 years of expertise in the Jerusalem real estate market. For inquiries, reach out to him at ben@capitil.com.
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2026/08/13 07:44
Hadera’s New Chapter Is Taking Shape by the Sea
That wider transformation is already being felt beyond the beach. A new overpass, expected to open this summer, is set to improve the connection between West Hadera, Olga Beach and the city’s mall-and-train hub, making the coastal side of the city more accessible and better integrated with one of its main commercial centres. At the same time, new
residential
developments
are
rising
the
beside
planned promenade, reflecting
growing
confidence
in
the
area. Yuval Schultz of
ASDEN
Israel
says
VIDA
Towers
is attracting buyers who recognise both the
city’s
trajectory
upward and
the
appeal of its natural setting. In his words, VIDA is “more than just
a
beachfront
project; it’s part of a broader vision for Hadera’s future.”
By Hadassah Bay`
Hadera’s appeal is not based on real estate alone. The For years, Hadera was often seen as a place people
city is also building the kind of lifestyle infrastructure that
passed on the way to somewhere else. That is beginning
makes a place feel vibrant, dynamic, and easy to enjoy.
to change.
Eco Park and Hadera River Park offer green space, walking
Set on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, roughly between Tel
paths and family recreation. Mul HaHof Village has added
Aviv and Haifa, Hadera is increasingly positioning itself as
a lively mix of shopping, dining and entertainment, while
a city with genuine momentum: a place where beachfront
the UniTowers office complex above it reflects the area’s
living, commercial growth and family-friendly amenities
growing business ambitions. As Idan Turgeman, VP of
are starting to converge in a way that feels both practical
Business Development and CEO of Mul HaHof Village,
and aspirational.
put it, “The region is experiencing significant economic
A major part of that shift is now visible on the shoreline
momentum, with thousands of new jobs transforming the
itself. After more than a decade, the city has reached an
employment landscape throughout the Hadera area and
agreement to return a substantial stretch of beachfront
its surroundings.”
to public hands. For Hadera, this is a statement about the
For British buyers and families considering property in
direction in which the city is heading.
Israel, Hadera increasingly stands out as a city that offers
Calling it a “historic moment”, Mayor Nir Ben Haim said
coastline, access, community and room to grow. As the
the city is now advancing plans for “an accessible, well-
shoreline is opened up and new infrastructure takes
developed, and high-quality shoreline” and intends to
shape around it, Hadera is no longer simply a city with
turn the coast into a significant tourism destination.
potential, but a city with direction.
8
THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
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Natuzzi
schools, transport and long-term value. In Israel, those practical questions are still there, but they sit alongside something more personal. A different version of the same trend is taking shape in Jerusalem, where convenience and design are becoming
part
of
the
luxury conversation. Harmony
Residences
is located in southern Talpiot, near Derech Beit Lechem
and
Hasadna
Streets, between Arnona and Baka, within walking distance of Emek Refaim and the German Colony, and close to the light rail. For many British buyers, the location already has an obvious pull: central, close The New Face of Israeli Luxury
to
established
neighbourhoods,
and
increasingly connected to Jerusalem’s changing transport Ask a British Jewish family about buying in Israel, and the
network.
answer is rarely simple. Some are actively looking. Others
Its more unusual feature is its branding. Natuzzi, the
insist they are not. But the subject tends to sit somewhere
Italian brand known internationally for furniture and
in the background: a flat for the summer holidays or
interiors, is involved not only as a furniture name but as a
Yom Tov, a base for children studying in Israel, a future
design concept for the building and its homes. Pasquale
retirement plan, a possible Aliyah, or simply the comfort
Junior Natuzzi, Chief Projects & Contract Officer, puts it in
of knowing there is a door in Israel with your own key.
the company’s own language: “A branded project is more
What has changed is the kind of door people imagine
than a residence; it’s a seamless extension of the Natuzzi
opening.
philosophy — spaces that inspire, improve, and enrich
The Israeli apartment once had a fairly practical image
everyday life.”
among Anglo buyers: useful, functional, somewhere to
Set aside the polished phrasing, and the idea is
stay when needed. Today, at the higher end of the market, a different conversation is taking place. Buyers are asking not only where the apartment is, but who built it, how the building will be maintained, whether the home can be managed from abroad, and whether the next generation will actually want to spend time there. “Luxury” is, of course, an overworked word in Israeli real estate. It can mean anything from a sea view to a slightly upgraded lobby. But beneath the marketing language, there is a real shift in what buyers now expect. That emotional element is one of the things that makes the Israeli market different. In London, buyers may talk about postcodes,
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THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
straightforward. Instead of buying an empty apartment and then beginning the long process of choosing flooring, lighting, furniture, fabrics, taps and every other detail from abroad, the buyer is offered a home that has been designed and furnished as a whole. That may sound like a design story, but for overseas buyers it is also a logistics story. Anyone who has tried to renovate or furnish an apartment in Israel while living in Britain knows the routine: decisions by WhatsApp, samples viewed on a phone, contractors who need chasing, measurements that have to be checked, and a growing list of small choices that somehow become large ones. A turnkey apartment responds to that frustration.
of sea views, Jerusalem stone and rooftop lounges. The
The appeal is not only that the home looks finished. It
market is selling apartments, of course. But the better
is that the owner does not have to manage every stage
projects are also responding to a quieter question many
from a different country.
Diaspora Jews carry with them: what would it mean to
This is an important part of the new luxury. In Israel,
have a real place in Israel?
as elsewhere, time and ease have become part of what
In Netanya, the answer may be a coastal apartment that
people are willing to pay for. The question is not only:
children and grandchildren will want to use. In Jerusalem,
What does the apartment include? It is also: How much
it may be a home that is ready from the moment the
effort will it take to make this usable, beautiful and ready?
owners land at Ben Gurion. In both cases, the new face
An apartment in Israel is an anchor, a unique emotional
of Israeli luxury is not only about having more. It is about
dimension, a financial asset.
making the idea of home in Israel feel easier, more reliable
That may be the real story behind the glossy images
and more liveable.
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11
Golden Age, Golden Opportunities
Eshel, a former Knesset member and chairwoman of Na’amat, Nofei Yerushalayim
was
established
around a relatively simple idea: growing older should not mean surrendering control over one’s life.
That principle remains evident today. Unlike a traditional
Nofei Yerushalayim
institutional setting, Nofei Yerushalayim operates very For many British Jews, the dream of one day living in
much like a community of independent residents.
Israel has been quietly nurtured for years — sometimes
Its management board is elected by the residents
for decades. Careers, children, financial responsibilities
themselves, who help set policy and take an active role
and countless other considerations may have made
in decisions affecting life in the building. Subcommittees
aliyah impractical earlier in life, but retirement can finally
deal with areas ranging from culture and security to
provide the freedom to turn that long-held aspiration
admissions, while professional staff are responsible for
into reality. After all, retirement is not simply about
putting residents’ decisions into practice.
leaving work behind; it can be about finally having the
The result is a particularly distinctive atmosphere.
time and flexibility to pursue the life one always hoped
“Residents are not told what to do,” explains Chief Executive
to lead. For some, that means being closer to children
Avigail Duke. “Some still work. Some are studying at
and grandchildren in Israel; for others, it means enjoying
university. It is more like living in a neighbourhood or
the warmth of Jewish life, becoming part of a new
apartment building — you belong to a community, but
community and spending their later years in a country
your life remains your own.”
that has always felt deeply meaningful.
That sense of belonging can be especially valuable for
Yet even the most eagerly anticipated move brings
people who have made aliyah later in life. Approximately
challenges. Establishing a new home in another country
half of Nofei Yerushalayim’s residents come from
— particularly when the language, culture and everyday
Anglo
systems are unfamiliar — can feel daunting at any age. That
which newcomers can quickly find others with similar
is why the growing range of retirement communities and
experiences while also becoming part of a diverse Israeli
senior living options in Israel can be especially appealing
community of religious and secular residents.
to Anglos. They offer not only convenience, security and
For Diana, originally from London, the social dimension
companionship, but the freedom to concentrate on what
proved particularly important. She had moved to Israel to
retirement is meant to provide: time for friendships,
be near her children, but after the death of her husband
family, learning, travel, hobbies and interests — including
found herself increasingly isolated in her own flat. Moving
those that may have been postponed for years. For those
to Nofei Yerushalayim provided the companionship she
ready to make Israel the setting for their next chapter,
had been missing without taking away her independence.
there are now more ways than ever to do so comfortably,
“The social aspect here makes all the difference,” she
confidently and as part of a welcoming community.
says. “Beyond that, I live independently, exactly as I
backgrounds,
creating
an
environment
in
want.” A Community Where Life Remains Your Own
Practical support is readily available when needed. The residence has monitored entrances and security, an on-
For Anglos considering retirement in Israel, one of the biggest questions is how to gain the benefits of community and security without giving up the independence they have enjoyed throughout their adult lives. At Nofei Yerushalayim in Jerusalem, that balance is not simply part of the offering; it has shaped the philosophy of the residence from its earliest days. Founded by senior figures from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and led by the late Tamar
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THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
everyday life will look like. Will there be people to meet? Will it be easy to exercise? Are there opportunities to learn, enjoy culture and try something new? And can residents continue to organise their days as they choose? At Palace, the aim is to combine security and support with a broad range of choices. A resident might begin the morning with swimming or Pilates, attend a lecture or workshop later in the day and finish with a performance or an evening with friends. The value lies not only in the range of activities, but in having them readily available within a familiar community. site clinic with laboratory testing, nursing support and regular visits by doctors. Residents also have access to a minimarket, synagogue, gym, swimming pool and terrace, hair salon, guest suites for visiting relatives and a broad programme of cultural activities. But perhaps equally important is what residents themselves bring to the community. Some volunteer, organise activities, help neighbours, distribute post or become involved in communal projects. Participation is encouraged, but never imposed. For older people beginning a new chapter in Israel, that combination can be particularly reassuring. Children may live nearby, but seniors do not necessarily want to depend on them for their day-to-day needs. At Nofei Yerushalayim, support is there when required, companionship is close at hand, and residents retain the freedom to decide how active, social or private they wish their lives to be. It is a model of retirement built not around stepping back from life, but around continuing to live it on one’s own
Physical activity is a particular focus. Residents who wish to participate can receive an individual fitness programme, with goals and guidance from professional staff. Options include swimming and water exercise, yoga, Pilates, dance, strength training and balance work. Some residents who had never exercised regularly before have gone on to walk sections of the Israel Trail, play table tennis or take part in other activities. The objective is not to set the same standard for everyone, Cohen stresses, but to help each person maintain and extend his or her own abilities. The same approach applies to culture and learning. Once residents no longer have to devote as much time and energy to maintaining a home, they can use that freedom to explore interests that may have been postponed for years. Palace residents take up painting, study languages, learn music or singing, develop digital skills and become involved in community initiatives. Some join theatre groups; others learn how to prepare
terms.
and deliver a TED-style talk about their own experiences.
More Time for Living
offer opportunities for self-expression, new friendships
For many people, the decision to move into a retirement
of wellbeing later in life.
These activities are not simply intended to fill time. They and continued personal growth — all important elements
residence is not about giving up independence, but about preserving it. That is the philosophy behind Palace Senior Living, part of the Azrieli Group, which operates five residences in Tel Aviv, Modi’in, Ra’anana, Lehavim and Rishon LeZion. Iris Cohen, CEO of Palace Senior Living, says attitudes towards retirement have changed significantly. Rather than waiting until living alone becomes difficult, more people are choosing senior living while they are still active and independent, seeing the move as a way to make daily life easier, fuller and more enjoyable. The question, she says, is no longer simply whether help will be available if it is needed. Just as important is what
Palace conducts an annual satisfaction survey across its residences. According to Cohen, residents consistently point to the staff and personal attention as among the things they value most, together with the food, maintenance and sense of community. But perhaps the comment she hears most often says more than any survey can: “I wish I had made the move years earlier.” For those considering retirement in Israel, that may be the most useful perspective of all. Senior living need not mean stepping back from an active life. Done well, it can provide the freedom, support and companionship to make that life even richer.
THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
13
Building a Kehilla From the Ground Up was talking about.
But creating a kehilla from scratch was a very different proposition from helping a family find a home.
They needed a location close enough to Yerushalayim to give families access to its schools, yeshivos, shopping and community infrastructure. They needed homes with the kind of space Anglo families were looking for. And they needed enough homes in one place to give a new community a real chance to take root. That search led them to Adam, just outside Yerushalayim, where a major For Anglo families looking to make their home in Eretz Yisrael, finding the right place to live can be surprisingly difficult. Part of the problem is practical. Families coming from England or America are often used to houses with considerably more space than the average Israeli apartment can offer. But there’s another piece that can be harder to find: the kind of community they’re used to back home, where the shul and the Rav are at the centre of community life, people know their neighbours, and families put down roots together. As a Rosh Yeshivah and Rosh Kollel to English-speaking families, Rabbi Avi Wiesenfeld knew the problem well. Time and again, he met families who wanted to make Eretz Yisrael their home, but couldn’t quite find a place that offered both the home and the community they were looking for.
new residential development was taking shape. Here, for the first time, the idea started to look possible. Could it work? Adam gave them the location. Now they had to find out whether the rest of the vision could work there. The Getter Group began exploring the practical side with the local council, including the possibility of shuls, mikvaos and communal facilities, with plans for a yeshivah and kollel as the community grew. Adam also fit into a much larger plan for the area. The government was looking to strengthen and expand the communities north of Yerushalayim, creating a ring of residential communities on the city’s northern side, much as Gush Etzion and Beitar do to the south. The Jerusalem Hills development gave The Kehilla room to become part of that growth. But there was still one very big question they couldn’t
Until eventually, a different question occurred to him: What if we created it? Turning the idea into a plan Rabbi Wiesenfeld took that question to Shia Getter: Could we create a residential project and a real community at the same time? For more than 20 years, Shia had been working with Anglo families buying homes in Eretz Yisrael, including many who were planning to move here. He knew exactly what Rabbi Wiesenfeld
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THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
answer on paper:
the plans, look at the different homes and floor plans,
Did other Anglo families want this as much as they
and decide whether one of them could work for their
thought they did?
family.
Putting the idea to the test
Some didn’t need much time to decide. Buyers signed at
The next step was to take the idea to the people it was
the events themselves.
meant for.
But before those homes were presented to purchasers, The Getter Group had spent considerable time negotiating with the three veteran developers behind the project, Barkan, Amana, and Chalap, over what would actually be included. The goal was for families to have more room to make the homes their own without turning every change into another extra, and Getter Group pushed hard for that in the negotiations. The final agreements included significant upgrades such as higher-grade tiles and superior air-conditioning systems. Buyers would also have the ability to customize their interiors, including moving walls, without additional charges. From interest to a community The enthusiasm at the events quickly turned into purchases. Some families signed on the spot. Others went home,
An initial event in Israel drew a strong response. That
looked through the plans and came back ready to move
was followed by events in the United States, where the
ahead. And as more families joined, prospective buyers
interest was just as encouraging. Families understood
were no longer being asked to imagine who might
immediately what The Kehilla project was trying to create,
eventually live there. The beginnings of the community
and many wanted to hear more.
were already there.
By the time Shia and Rabbi Wiesenfeld headed to England,
Today, 60 families have purchased homes in The Kehilla,
they already knew the idea was resonating.
and Phase 1 is completely sold out. Construction is
What they weren’t prepared for was the scale of the
already underway on one section of the project, with
response.
excavation beginning or about to begin on the others.
Events were planned in Manchester, Stamford Hill and
The homes are expected to be completed over the next
Golders Green, with an expected turnout of somewhere
three to three and a half years.
between 60 and 90 people altogether.
Those families are coming from different places, but
More than 300 showed up. In Manchester, an event
they’re all looking for the same idea envisioned over a
originally planned for a private home had to be moved to
year ago: a home in Eretz Yisrael, within a community
a hall as the registrations kept coming in.
they can see themselves becoming part of.
For Shia, the UK trip drove home something he hadn’t fully appreciated before. He had always known that community mattered to families considering a move to Eretz Yisrael.
This article is brought to you by The Getter Group,
He hadn’t realized just how much it mattered, or how
the only buyer-first advocacy firm in Israel with
many people had been waiting for something like this.
over 20 years experience helping overseas buyers
And they weren’t simply asking about square meters
find and purchase property in Israel.
and floor plans. They wanted to know who else was
For more information on how we can help you
coming, what the kehilla would be like, and what kind of
achieve your dream with confidence and peace of
community they and their children would be joining.
mind, or to learn more about The Kehilla project in
Making the homes work
Adam, call 058-318-0000 (in Israel) or 718-473-
By the time families were seeing The Kehilla at those
3950 (in the US), email contact@thegettergroup.
events, this was no longer just a vision. They could see
com, or visit thegettergroup.com.
THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
17
Jerusalem Real Estate
What are your three tips for first-time buyers in Jerusalem? First, begin with the location and community. Ask where you will feel comfortable and which area best reflects your way of life. Second, be clear about the purpose of the purchase. A family home may involve balancing location, space and budget. An investment requires
a
different
discussion:
long-term
appreciation, long- or short-term rental income, or an off-plan purchase with preferential terms. Third, once something feels right and all the necessary checks have been completed, be ready to move. Jerusalem property is often about timing. Truly distinctive opportunities are limited, and buyers can spend years chasing a market they once had the chance to enter. A Jerusalem Vision, A Personal Mission What makes you proudest of JRE? For Michael Steinmetz, founder of JRE – Jerusalem
The people. Every member of our team brings something
Real Estate, helping people buy a home in Jerusalem
special. Their integrity, care and commitment to service
is far more than a business transaction. Based at
come first, and together they create a quality I believe is
66 Derech Beit Lechem in Baka, JRE’s 18-strong
rare anywhere in the world.
team of property advisers, marketing and operations
We
professionals specialises in new developments across the
we represent, then guide clients from A to Z —
neighbourhoods most sought after by overseas buyers —
understanding their needs, negotiating, explaining plans
from Rehavia, Talbiya, the German Colony and Mamilla
and specifications, introducing architects or interior
to Baka, Arnona, Old Katamon, the city centre, Ramat
designers, and setting out payment terms, fees and
Eshkol, Maalot Dafna and Bayit Vegan.
completion costs clearly from the outset.
carefully
select
the
developers
and
projects
My late grandfather always told me: “Make sure the How long have you worked in Jerusalem property?
client blesses you at the end of the transaction at least as
I have been in the industry for 11 years. What gives me
warmly as they did at the beginning — and, if possible,
the greatest satisfaction is providing the kind of heartfelt
even more.” When service comes from the heart, clients
service I would hope to receive if I were buying a property
often become friends for life.
in Britain or anywhere else abroad. We want to be the
Wishing everyone a Shana Tova — a happy, healthy and
agency that truly sees the client, understands their needs
sweet New Year.
and always considers what is genuinely best for them. What is your vision? That every Jewish person in the world should be able to own property in Israel — and, as an added blessing, in Jerusalem. I believe deeply in Jerusalem property. Three times a day we pray, “May our eyes behold Your return to Zion.” There is only one Jerusalem, and that is not a cliché. The eyes of the world are fixed upon this city. To own a home here, in a place of such history and holiness, is an extraordinary privilege.
18
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Selichot above Jerusalem: an evening connecting the city’s past and future
unfamiliar processes and expectations. The
company
established Anglos,
was
to
help
Olim
and
international understand
buyers the
Israeli
property
journey,
connecting
property
searches
with
The rooftop of Jerusalem’s historic former Shaare Zedek
professionals, mortgage
Hospital provided the setting for an evening of Selichot,
and finance support, and practical coordination. Cohen and
music and reflection on Wednesday 16 September, as
Hamburger are also developing an AI-powered PropTech
IsraelProperty.com and Israel Canada brought guests
platform to bring those stages together.
together overlooking the city.
“We built it with an Anglo mind — a chutznik’s understanding
Held during the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh
of the excitement, the questions and, yes, the occasional bewilderment,” Cohen explained. Co-host Israel Canada, established in 2006, is the developer behind Midtown Jerusalem. The project combines residential, commercial and hospitality uses with the preservation of the former hospital building, bringing contemporary development into conversation with the city’s architectural heritage. One of the evening’s central themes was the meaning of belonging. In his address, Cohen recalled Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’s account of a boat trip in Eilat. A captain spoke enthusiastically about a holiday in England — its historic buildings, green grass and polite people — before looking at
Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the gathering featured
the barren hills around him and smiling: “Aval zeh shelanu.”
the Solomon Brothers alongside IDF combat veteran
But this is ours.
Yoni Friedman. The programme combined music and
For Cohen, the story captured the feeling of standing in
inspiration with an introduction to Midtown Jerusalem, the
Jerusalem and helping others imagine a future there.
development taking shape around the historic building.
The evening brought that sentiment into focus through
For IsraelProperty.com co-founders Maxim Cohen and
shared music, prayer and the setting itself: a place where
Yonatan Hamburger, the location gave the evening
generations had begun their lives, now becoming part of
particular meaning. The original hospital opened in
Jerusalem’s next chapter.
1902, serving Jerusalem decades before the establishment of the State of Israel. Its association with healing, births and family beginnings offered a poignant connection to the homes planned around it. “For so many people, their family’s story began right here. What an extraordinary place to build the future,” Cohen said. Founded in 2025, IsraelProperty.com grew out of Cohen’s own experience of making Aliyah. Despite having facilitated more than £500 million in real estate transactions, he found himself navigating
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Israel Property Roundup:
Israel offers Anglo buyers a varied range of homes, communities and investment opportunities across several promising locations.
HADERA Positioned between Tel Aviv and Haifa, Hadera is emerging as a coastal growth market. Future highspeed rail plans could further strengthen its appeal. Beside the Gador Nature Reserve, ASDEN’s VIDA development offers direct sea views, Shabbat lifts, a synagogue, communal sukkah, infinity pool, lounge and gym.
NETANYA Netanya remains one of Israel’s best-established coastal destinations, combining Mediterranean living with Anglo and French communities. Luxury towers continue to rise near the sea, while North Netanya is benefiting from urban renewal, improved transport connections and proximity to the Einstein Interchange.
TIBERIAS Tiberias appeals to buyers seeking holiday homes, seasonal use or tourism-led investment. The boutique AGADA project comprises 28 apartments and two penthouses, combining Kinneret views with rooftop facilities, including a pool; the penthouses also feature private terraces and pools.
JERUSALEM Jerusalem’s development is increasingly focused on Hebron Road, which is being transformed into a residential, commercial and hotel corridor supported by the future Blue Line light rail. The ambitious Tidhar master plan proposes around 3,500 homes, while projects by Aura and DunietzElad are renewing older properties near Baka. Nearby Arnona combines prestige, views and family amenities. Developments including Arnona Residence and Arnona Hills offer modern apartments, parks, synagogues, gyms, kindergartens and underground parking.
CARMAY HANADIV Located in Kiryat Malachi, minutes from Ashdod and within reach of Beit Shemesh, Carmay HaNadiv offers value, new infrastructure and an expanding religious Anglo community. More than 180 Anglo families have purchased there, giving the neighbourhood momentum as an affordable alternative to established centres. ASHKELON Ashkelon combines beaches, a marina, parks, restaurants, sporting facilities and new developments with better value than many central locations. Its growing English-
RAMAT BEIT SHEMESH Ramat Beit Shemesh continues attracting overseas families seeking spacious housing, Torah life and established communal infrastructure. Rothstein Heights, represented to overseas buyers by Meir Dombey of Yigal Realty, will provide more than 1,000 homes near RBS Aleph. Its Meromei Shemesh community, led by Rabbi Larry and Chaviva Rothwachs, offers Anglo olim a supportive landing and sense of belonging.
speaking Modern Orthodox community attracts families, retirees, olim and second-home owners. David Zwebner of Ashkelon Properties has helped sell more than 136 sea-view apartments and assists overseas buyers with projects, negotiations and mortgage options. His work with the Ashkelon Foundation and support for planned Anglo community and synagogue facilities add valuable local perspective. For buyers wanting Mediterranean living alongside meaningful English-
CARMEI GAT Established in northern Kiryat Gat in 2017, Carmei Gat offers modern housing, schools, synagogues, parks and
speaking communal life, Ashkelon deserves serious consideration.
shops at comparatively accessible prices. Highway 6 and nearby rail services make commuting practical. Bemuna’s Carmei Gat Special features villas, boutique buildings, garden apartments and penthouses, including sukkah balconies and storage, while Kardan’s ROVA adds urban variety.
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