Representatives of Ganei Ha’Ela, a new community in Ramat Beit Shemesh, will be visiting New York and New Jersey next week to meet with potential buyers. Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, rabbi of the community, and Shelly Levine from Tivuch Shelly, the exclusive agent of the project, will be hosting an informational “open house” in Teaneck/Bergenfield area on Wednesday, September 10, at 8:00 p.m.
In addition to learning about the vision of the community, as well as important housing and financing information, attendees of the open house will be eligible for special pricing options and will receive a special voucher for $10,000 towards their aliyah moving expenses, redeemable upon purchase of a home in Ganei Ha’Ela.
While in New York Ganei Ha’Ela will be introducing two new affordable home models: the Gilboa, a 3-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom triplex, with a 440 sq. ft. finished attic, for $385,000 and the Hermon, a 4-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom triplex, with a 740 sq. ft. finished attic, for $490,000. Both models feature large terraces with spectacular views.
Ganei Ha’ela has 60% of the available homes sold. With the infrastructure already completed, final building permits are expected after the chagim, and construction is scheduled to begin immediately thereafter. The more than 40 families who already joined Ganei Ha’Ela represent a cross-section of backgrounds, blending recent olim from North America with English- and Hebrew-speaking families already living in greater Beit Shemesh and throughout Israel.
A number of families from New Jersey, such as Avi and Michal Geffner, David and Meredith Ickowicz, Daniel and Michelle Fruchter, and Yossie and Shira Platnick, are among the founding members of Ganei Ha’Ela.
Explaining their decision to join Ganei Ha’Ela, Daniel Fruchter said he and his wife were looking for “a warm and close-knit community where we can contribute and grow along with the kehilla.” Echoing this theme, Meredith Ickowicz noted that paramount for her family was the desire “to be part of a small community where families share the same ideals.”
The benefits that living in a community like Ganei Ha’Ela can offer children are also a strong selling point for many families. As Michal Geffner explained, “We are excited about living in a community that truly loves the Torah and Eretz Yisrael. It is important for us to raise our children in such a place and we believe that Ganei Ha’Ela incorporates these ideals.”
This was also a deciding factor for Yossi Platnick, who noted that, “Of utmost importance to us is to raise our children in a Torah-centric and community-focused neighborhood where they can develop and grow.”
When asked to explain their success thus far, Rabbi Gottlieb suggested that people have been attracted to the shared values of the community. “I truly believe that people are looking to become part of something bigger than themselves and that’s what we hope Ganei Ha’Elah will be.” He further explained that an aspect of the project that has been particularly attractive for olim is the central role that the Beit Knesset will play. This communal structure is not common in Israel but “we believe that this is critical, especially for olim, who will face common challenges in a new country and culture.”
Additional open houses will be taking place in the Five Towns on September 7, in Queens on September 8, and in Washington Heights on September 9.
To RSVP for the open house, to schedule a private meeting, or for any questions regarding the project, email [email protected] or call (646) 783-8408. More information about the project and the various housing options can be found at www.ganeihaela.com.
