Life In Tsfat Provides It's Residents With Many Wordly And Supernal Pleasures And This Suits Quite Nicely The Wide Ranging Citizenship Of Passionate Artists, Torah Scholars, Musicians, Peaceniks And New Immigrant From North America, Russia And Ethiopia.
In many aspects, the day to day socio economic reality exists at street level for the people of Tsfat where their multi faceted origins mix and blend into a population that is climbing to over 35000 individuals. No wonder growth is sky rocketing in light of the fact that almost half the people considered permanent residents are under 22 years of age.
With over 400 guest houses and over 50 galleries, much of the local community is involved in Art and Entertainment, Tour and Travel. One interesting demographic tidbit is that a third of the population comprises of new immigrants that are predominantly Russian and Ethiopian Falash Mura. The new immigrants are assisted and subsidized by the Israel Absorption Ministry which provides for things like learning Hebrew as well as classes to further education especially in the area of job training. This educational offering comes with the goal of helping the new residents integrate specificaly within the local community and in Israeli society in general.
Although the ministy along with the Jewish Agency do there best to provide first homes for the immigrants, this serves merely as a stepping stone into Israeli society. The first homes are lacking and the funds to provide more for these new neighbors is all but depleted. These agencies offer an immediate albeit temporary accommodation for the families who for the most part are included withtin the national poverty level making them the poorest economic group in Israel. Even with job training they are stuck in a town that has very little job opportunities and sooner than later unemployment benefits dry up. Another unfortunate statistic is that the school dropout rate is very high and climbing.
Because of the vast difference among the education level of the North Americans, Russians and Ethiopians, the majority of Ethiopian are hit the hardest with almost three quarters of their families living under the poverty line and close to half that amount functionally illiterate. Unfortunately, with the absorption ministry's budget constraints focusing on food, they are unable to provide more for them. But that does not stop the community from raising funds and helping there needy brethren.
Tsfat is packed with Yeshiva's and Tzadakka is the main theme around town. Soup kitchens provide food for many of these families and where public schools leave off, Torah academies pick up for all those wanting to further their holy learning and come close to the Torah. Much of the awareness and help comes from Jewish travelers visiting on tour either in large groups like birthright or in small family trips. It is in this dynamic that the Torah refers to all Jews as friends and all Jews as righteous. Tsfat is a place where home defines brotherly love and family revolves around Torah values. This holds true for observant and secular alike as is a testament by the G-dly presence which is clearly felt by all visitors and residents alike.