Kfar Shamai
Kfar Shamai (Hebrew: כפר שמאי) is a moshav in northern Israel. Located in the Upper Galilee, about 1.9 miles (3 km) west of Safed, it falls under the jurisdiction of Merom HaGalil Regional Council. In 2019 it had a population of 559.[1]
Kfar Shamai | |
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  Kfar Shamai | |
| Coordinates: 32°57′24.48″N 35°27′25.22″E | |
| Country | Israel |
| District | Northern |
| Council | Merom HaGalil |
| Affiliation | Hapoel HaMizrachi |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Founded by | Immigrants from Yemen |
| Population (2019)[1] | 559 |
History
The moshav was founded in 1949 by immigrants to Israel from Yemen, built on the abandoned Arab village of al-Sammu'i.[2] Most of these immigrants have stayed, as of 2006, and over the years immigrants from Romania and Morocco joined them. Today, the moshav houses a museum for the preservation of local history, since its establishment.
The name "Kfar Shamai" is based on Shammai the Elder, who was the partner of Hillel the Elder. According to Jewish tradition, Shammai was buried in Har Meron or in "Shammai Hill" near the community.
References
- "Population in the Localities 2019" (XLS). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- Yalqut Teiman, Yosef Tobi and Shalom Seri (editors), Tel-Aviv 2000, p. 131, s.v. כפר שמאי (Hebrew) ISBN 965-7121-03-5