Twelve years ago, Isabel and Elazar Dortenzi arrived in the Golan after visiting an exhibition of the Jewish Agency in Paris. The representative of the Jewish Agency was from Keshet in the Golan and so they heard for the first time about the option to live in the Golan. Later, the Jewish Agency organized a trip to the Golan for new immigrants. The Dortenzi family joined the trip and simple decided to stay.
Why did you choose Hispin as the place to build your home?
First of all, we chose the Golan because we wanted a green, peaceful and religious place to live in – these were are three conditions and Hispin met them all. We had a difficult time at first because in France, most of the Jews live in urban areas rather than rural ones. But we quickly got used to our new life, especially because we were assisted by many position-holders of the community and our "adoptive" family in Hispin, which helped us with all the bureaucracy.
With their move to the Golan, the Dortanzi couple decided on a change of direction regarding their employment – Isabel opened a pizzeria and Elazar, who in France worked as an accountant, started working as a driver.
They are satisfied with the quality of life: "It's simply excellent to raise children in the Golan. They can go by themselves to school and we don't have to worry at all. The kindergartens and all other services are all a walking distance away. The children can play outside by themselves and it's like Paradise for them – they always find something to do and there is never a dull moment.
In addition, when a woman gives birth, there is someone who takes care of her – meals are prepared by the neighbors and they help with the other children. In short, there is wide support and that's why we like living here.
What would you recommend to new families considering moving to the Golan?
When we arrived, we could build a house at a reasonable price. It wasn't easy but relatively comfortable for middle-class families – building a house become possible, unlike the situation in the center of the country. Anyway, our first recommendation is to personally visit the Golan. Surfing the internet is not enough. The most important thing is to see with your own eyes, feel the atmosphere and talk to people who live here. It's also worthwhile to talk to people who had taken the step not so long ago and who will authentically present the advantages and disadvantages of the move. It will sound much more trustworthy and the Golan is so beautiful that it will be impossible to say no.