Avivah Ernst, Maale Levona

Avivah Ernst - age 58. I live on Maale Levona with my husband and two daughters. Both girls have Down Syndrome and are transported to a special needs school in Jerusalem. My girls are age 10 and 7.

We made aliyah directly to Maale Levona on August 18, 2000. We were living in Brooklyn, NY.

I speak some Spanish and a smattering of Yiddish. I have been going to Ulpan for Hebrew. Both the girls are learning entirely in Hebrew. My husband only speaks English. Yitzchok is a photographer and in the process of setting up a studio. I was a computer consultant and accounting specialist in the states. So far I am a mommy and housewife here in Israel, which suits me just fine.

Maale Levona

The Yishuv Maale Levona, near Shilo, is 30 minutes North of Jerusalem, 40 minutes from Raanana or Petach Tikva, 20 minutes from Ariel. Maale Levona has 90 Religious Zionistic Families, of which 15% are English-speaking. In addition there are 50 College students learning in Michlol which combines Religious Studies with the Professional studies of Computer Science, Electronics and Engineering. In September 2001, Netiv Michlol, a Yeshivat Hesder (Yeshiva together with Army Service) started with 25 Students.

Ulpanat Levona, a Boarding School for 14-18 year old girls, was founded in 1998, and now has over 150 pupils.

Maale Levona has 2 Shuls - the Central Shul (for everyone) and the Sephardi Shul. We have both a Men's as well as a Women's Mikva. We have a series of Shiurim for Men, Women and children. On Shabbat there are Tehillim as well as Taamei HaMikra and different age group Shiurim for the children. During the week there's a Talmud Tora in the Yishuv.

The children are members of Ezra Youth Movement. There is a pre-Kindergarden Maon for children from the age of 3 months. There are 2 Kinder gardens. School-children are bussed to the Area Schools in Shilo, 10 minutes away.

Medical services are available in the Yishuv Clinic, including Family and Children's Doctors, Blood Tests, Baby-care Centre. There is an Ambulance in the Yishuv for emergencies.

An English-speaking Mini-store owner tries to satisfy all of his customers on the Yishuv.

The children are "active partners" in running a Mini-Zoo in the centre of the Yishuv, which contains a wide range of animals including goats, sheep, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, pigeons, a pony, and peacocks.

Available Housing with rental subsidy from the Absorption Ministry:

• 48-60 metre "Eshkubiot" (prefabricated buildings with either 2 or 3 bedrooms).
  
  
• 72 metre Finnish-style Wooden houses with 2 bedrooms.
  
  
• 99 metre Jerusalem-stone houses with 3 bedrooms, and with preparation of 72 metres second floor.

Each of the houses on 500 metres garden. "Bayit Rishon B'Moledet".

Maale Levona invites you to be among the Pioneers in this experience.

Aviva Ernst
Maale Levona
Mobile Post
Ephraim
44825
Israel

E-Mail: ernstay@zahav.net.il

Maale Levona web site: http://www.michlol.org/levona.html