Kfar Shmaryahu is a local council in the Tel Aviv area with approximately 2,000 residents. Kfar Shmaryahu borders Rishpon on one side and Herzliya on the other three sides. The village was founded in May 1937 by a group of German Jews who immigrated to Israel following the rise of the Nazis to power. They purchased 6,000 dunams of land for the purpose of agricultural settlement and made a great effort to make a living from agriculture. The residents named the settlement in memory of Shmaryahu Levin, who was a Zionist activist. Over the years, the villagers abandoned agriculture in favor of liberal professions of an urban nature.
Kfar Shmaryahu is ranked very high on the socio-economic scale with a score of 10 (out of 10).
Kfar Shmaryahu is home to an international community that includes diplomats and ambassadors, journalists, members of the foreign press staff in Israel, and expatriates of international companies relocated to Israel. Therefore, we can find many activities suitable to English-speaking residents. The American ‘AIS’ School was located in Kfar Shmaryahu until 2009, the year it was transferred to the Even Yehuda settlement.
Kfar Shmaryahu is a suburb of private houses and villas, the settlement is well-kept with narrow paved streets and many public grounds. What characterizes the village is the ability to get from place to place without a car. The village emphasizes intimate community life, social activities for all ages, and an emphasis on education and the promotion of art. There is thought about activities suitable for the elderly, and there is concern for the care of children with learning disabilities – the ‘Kalanit’ center. The village’s kindergartens and elementary school are shared by the children of Kfar Shmaryahu and Rishpon. They are located in a cluster of kindergartens at 17 Oranim Street.
The “Weil” Center (4 Hanota Street, 09-9569430) in Kfar Shmaryahu offers a local library for the village residents, which includes many books in English. In the auditorium of the “Weil” Center, you can enjoy theater, dance and music performances, as well as movies (pre-premiere movie club, matinee movies, etc.). The “Weil” Center has a bridge club and a chess club, classes for children ages starting from kindergarten: crafts and art classes, ceramics, dance and ballet, a skating and rollerblades class, a soccer class. During the Passover and summer holidays, there are day camps for children, as well as outdoor activities during the periods when the irises or other wild flowers are blooming in the northern grove of the village.
There are classes for adults such as crafts, pottery and sculpture, classes that English-speaking residents can take part in.
There is an active scout tribe in Kfar Shmaryahu called the Nir Tribe.
The commercial center of Kfar Shmaryahu (located between Ma’apilim, HaZorea and Horesh streets) has about 50 stores such as a pharmacy, grocery store, fruit and vegetable store, butcher, bank, cafes, flower shop and other businesses, all within walkability for the residents.
Kfar Shmaryahu has a large sports club (Keren Hayesod 19, 09-9580404) which includes swimming pools, tennis courts, badminton courts, basketball courts and more.
Street Names
Kfar Shmaryahu was founded as an agricultural settlement, so all the street names in the village, except one, are taken from the agricultural sector, such as: Hahoresh Street, HaZora Street, HaNota Street, Kotzer Street. Also Tlamim Street and HaGanim Street, as well as names of trees, flowers and wildflowers of the Land of Israel: Pine Street, Palm Street, Olive Street, Almond Street and also Narcissus Street, Cyclamen Street, HaVatzelet Street, Shvil Hatzavim, Shvil Hatzazim, Shvil Hatzatzim, Shvil Hatzatzim and Shvil Sabion. The different street name is Keren Hayesod Street.