Kfar Vradim
Encyclopedia
Kfar Vradim is a town (local council
) in northern
Israel
, with a population of 5800 (2008). It is situated just south of Ma'alot-Tarshiha
and about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of the border with Lebanon. Kfar Vradim is close to major cities like Nahariya
(20 kilometers) and Karmiel
(16 kilometers).
Kfar Vradim was established in September 1984. Its founder, Stef Wertheimer
, sought to create an industrial town with in the midst of nature.
Kfar Vradim started as a town with 50-100 families, and at first had no electricity and running water. The first families to move were mostly workers at ISCAR Metalworking
, a successful factory owned by Stef Wertheimer
specialising in metal blades and high performance cutting tools. Initially, Kfar Vradim received no support or recognition from the Israeli government, which didn't consider it to be a valid town, resulting in a financial crisis. Eventually, it was recognized and began receiving support.
Peak temperatures in Kfar Vradim in summer typically reach about 38 °C (100.4 °F), while its January and February temperatures can drop to as low as -2 °C. Average temperatures range from 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 F) in the winter to 28–32 °C (82.4–89.6 F) at summer. Precipitation is mostly between October and March and is mainly made up of rain showers and scarce snowfall.
and Yanuh-Jat
, and is connected to the main roads in Northern Israel by Road 854. Road 8721 runs through the town, connecting it to Yanuh-Jat. Buses leave Kfar Vradim daily (except Saturday) to Ma'alot (Lines 82, 12), Karmiel
(line 12) and Nahariya
(line 43).
In addition, there are several kindergartens in the town. A high school is currently being built.
Local council (Israel)
Local councils are one of the three types of local government found in Israel, with the other two being cities and regional councils. As of 2003, there were 144 local councils in Israel, these being settlements which pass a minimum threshold enough to justify their operations as independent...
) in northern
North District (Israel)
The Northern District is one of Israel's six administrative districts. The Northern District has a land area of 4,478 km², which increases to 4,638 km² when both land and water are included...
Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, with a population of 5800 (2008). It is situated just south of Ma'alot-Tarshiha
Ma'alot-Tarshiha
Ma'alot-Tarshiha is a mixed city in the North District in Israel, some 20 km east of Nahariya, about 600 meter above sea level. The city was established in 1963 through a municipal merger of the Arab town of Tarshiha and the Jewish town of Ma'alot...
and about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of the border with Lebanon. Kfar Vradim is close to major cities like Nahariya
Nahariya
Nahariya is the northernmost coastal city in Israel, with an estimated population of 51,200.-History:Nahariya was founded by German Jewish immigrants from the Fifth Aliyah in the 1930s...
(20 kilometers) and Karmiel
Karmiel
Karmiel is a city in northern Israel. Established in 1964 as a development town, Karmiel is located in the Beit HaKerem Valley which divides upper and lower Galilee. The city is located south of the Acre-Safed road, from Safed and from Acre...
(16 kilometers).
Kfar Vradim was established in September 1984. Its founder, Stef Wertheimer
Stef Wertheimer
Stef Wertheimer is a German-born Israeli entrepreneur and industrialist, a former Member of the Knesset, and is well known for founding industrial parks in Israel and neighboring countries.-Early life:Wertheimer was born in Kippenheim, Germany...
, sought to create an industrial town with in the midst of nature.
Kfar Vradim started as a town with 50-100 families, and at first had no electricity and running water. The first families to move were mostly workers at ISCAR Metalworking
ISCAR Metalworking
Iscar Metalworking is the largest company of IMC and one of the largest toolmaking companies in the world. The company was founded in 1952 in a wooden garage behind the home of Stef Wertheimer in Israel...
, a successful factory owned by Stef Wertheimer
Stef Wertheimer
Stef Wertheimer is a German-born Israeli entrepreneur and industrialist, a former Member of the Knesset, and is well known for founding industrial parks in Israel and neighboring countries.-Early life:Wertheimer was born in Kippenheim, Germany...
specialising in metal blades and high performance cutting tools. Initially, Kfar Vradim received no support or recognition from the Israeli government, which didn't consider it to be a valid town, resulting in a financial crisis. Eventually, it was recognized and began receiving support.
Climate
Kfar Vradim is situated between 550–620 meters (1800–2050 feet) above sea level, providing for a relatively dry and Mediterranean climate.Peak temperatures in Kfar Vradim in summer typically reach about 38 °C (100.4 °F), while its January and February temperatures can drop to as low as -2 °C. Average temperatures range from 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 F) in the winter to 28–32 °C (82.4–89.6 F) at summer. Precipitation is mostly between October and March and is mainly made up of rain showers and scarce snowfall.
Transportation
Kfar Vradim is neighboured by Ma'alot-TarshihaMa'alot-Tarshiha
Ma'alot-Tarshiha is a mixed city in the North District in Israel, some 20 km east of Nahariya, about 600 meter above sea level. The city was established in 1963 through a municipal merger of the Arab town of Tarshiha and the Jewish town of Ma'alot...
and Yanuh-Jat
Yanuh-Jat
Yanuh-Jat is an Arab local council in the North District of Israel. Probably place of the Biblical village of Yanuah . It was declared as a local council in 1990. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , it had a population of 5,300 in 2006. The rate of growth of the population is 2.6%...
, and is connected to the main roads in Northern Israel by Road 854. Road 8721 runs through the town, connecting it to Yanuh-Jat. Buses leave Kfar Vradim daily (except Saturday) to Ma'alot (Lines 82, 12), Karmiel
Karmiel
Karmiel is a city in northern Israel. Established in 1964 as a development town, Karmiel is located in the Beit HaKerem Valley which divides upper and lower Galilee. The city is located south of the Acre-Safed road, from Safed and from Acre...
(line 12) and Nahariya
Nahariya
Nahariya is the northernmost coastal city in Israel, with an estimated population of 51,200.-History:Nahariya was founded by German Jewish immigrants from the Fifth Aliyah in the 1930s...
(line 43).
Education
Kfar Vradim is home to an elementary school (Keshet school) and a junior high school (Amirim Junior High).In addition, there are several kindergartens in the town. A high school is currently being built.