01In brief
Kfar Shamai is a moshav in the Eastern Upper Galilee of northern Israel, at an average elevation of about 636 meters in the Meron Mountains. Founded in 1949 by Hapoel HaMizrachi for immigrants from Yemen, it later welcomed residents from Romania and Morocco and had a population of 565 in 2022. The moshav's Yemenite, Moroccan, and Ashkenazi synagogues reflect its varied Jewish traditions, while its local winery won an international gold medal in 2006.
02Overview
Kfar Shamai is located in the Eastern Upper Galilee, within the Safed subdistrict of Israel's Northern District. It belongs to the Merom HaGalil Regional Council and carries locality code 605 in Central Bureau of Statistics records.[5][6] A government geographic-delimitation list records it as entry 331 under the English transliteration "KEFAR SHAMMAY."[7]
The settlement sits at an average elevation of roughly 636–637 meters above sea level.[6][1] A Ministry of Education route in the Meron Mountains is rated easy and extends approximately 7 kilometers from the Bend parking area near Ein Bar Yohai to the moshav's entrance. It climbs toward the foothills of elevation point 916, descends through natural woodland, and offers views of Safed and Mount Canaan.[2] The calcareous soil on the lower slopes near Nahal Amud is described as particularly suited to wine-grape cultivation.[4]
03History
Kfar Shamai was established in 1949 by Hapoel HaMizrachi, primarily for immigrants from Yemen who arrived during the early years of Israeli statehood.[3][5] Families of most of the original Yemenite settlers reportedly remained in the moshav across subsequent generations.[3] Immigrants from Romania and Morocco later joined the community, contributing to its multi-ethnic character.[3]
Israeli settlement records identify the moshav's affiliation as Ha-Po'el ha-Mizrachi, coded PM, and place it within the Merom HaGalil Regional Council.[5][6] A government list also identifies Kfar Shamai as a locality requiring an admissions committee and names the associated body as the Kfar Shamai Community Agricultural Settlement Association Ltd.[8]
04Demographics
Kfar Shamai grew substantially between 2004 and 2020, followed by small annual fluctuations. It recorded 304 inhabitants on 31 December 2004 and an estimated 574 at the end of 2020; the latter figure included 202 ultra-Orthodox residents, or approximately 35.1% of the population.[5][9] CBS files recorded 575 residents in 2021 and 565 in 2022.[6][1]
A Mako dataset whose URL is dated May 6, 2020, recorded a population of 531 and six confirmed COVID-19 cases.[10] The document attributes its population figure to Points Business Mapping rather than CBS. A study sheet separately describes approximately 70 families living in Kfar Shamai, but does not present that figure as a current official demographic count.[3]
05Economy and Culture
Agriculture and rural development have shaped Kfar Shamai as a moshav. In 2005, the company Bona HaGalil offered 60 residential plots in the community, each starting at half a dunam, with an option to build two guest units.[11] Kfar Shamai was also listed among localities eligible for Ministry of Housing infrastructure participation of 30,000–45,000 shekels per lot.[11]
The area's calcareous soils support viticulture, and a winery developed by veteran grower Avraham Abu brought the village wider recognition. Abu began planting vines approximately 23 years before a 2025 Mako article was published and started producing wine three years later. His operation expanded from home production into a larger enterprise with advanced equipment, and in 2006 the winery won an international gold medal for a blend series at the TerraVino competition.[4]
The community maintains three synagogues—Yemenite, Moroccan, and Ashkenazi—reflecting the varied Jewish traditions of its residents.[3] A February 2014 Ynet report included Kfar Shamai on a proposed list of northern communities expected to receive tax benefits from January 1, 2015; the report noted that the list still required Knesset approval.[12]
06Notable Sites
The modern moshav of Kfar Shamai is distinct from Khirbet Shema, an archaeological site near the Bend parking area that contains remains of a city from the Talmudic period.[3]
The site's historical identification has changed over time. It was formerly associated with "Kfar Shemai," mentioned in the Jerusalem Talmud, but is now generally identified with Galilean Tekoa, described as a suburb of Meron known for high-quality olive oil called "alpha for oil." This identification is presented as an accepted interpretation rather than an established certainty.[3]
Sources
- 1Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, 2022 locality file, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 2Israel Ministry of Education, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 3Sefaria, Israel Trail Section 7 – Nahal Amud and Kfar Shamai overnight parking area: On the character of Shammai the Elder | Voices on Sefaria, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 4Mako, Nature, scenery, and wine: this is what a trip to the perfect winter destination looks like, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 5Encyclopedia.com, Land of Israel: Population, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 6Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, 2021 locality file, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 7Government of Israel (geographic-delimitation list), accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 8Government of Israel (admissions committee localities list), accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 9Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, population 2020, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 10Mako, COVID-19 locality dataset, May 2020, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 11Ynet, Come live in the Galilee and enjoy benefits, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 12Ynet, The localities that will receive tax benefits: the complete list, accessed on September 24, 2026.
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
What is Kfar Shamai?
Kfar Shamai is a moshav in the Eastern Upper Galilee of northern Israel, situated at an average elevation of about 636 meters in the Meron Mountains. Founded in 1949 by Hapoel HaMizrachi for immigrants from Yemen, it later welcomed residents from Romania and Morocco. The moshav had a population of 565 in 2022 and maintains Yemenite, Moroccan, and Ashkenazi synagogues reflecting its varied Jewish traditions.
Who founded Kfar Shamai and for whom was it established?
Kfar Shamai was established in 1949 by Hapoel HaMizrachi, primarily for immigrants from Yemen who arrived during the early years of Israeli statehood. Families of most of the original Yemenite settlers reportedly remained in the moshav across subsequent generations, and immigrants from Romania and Morocco later joined the community, contributing to its multi-ethnic character.
How has Kfar Shamai's population changed in recent years?
Kfar Shamai grew substantially between 2004 and 2020. It recorded 304 inhabitants at the end of 2004 and an estimated 574 at the end of 2020, of whom approximately 35.1% were ultra-Orthodox residents. CBS files recorded 575 residents in 2021 and 565 in 2022.
What is the Kfar Shamai winery known for?
The Kfar Shamai winery was developed by veteran grower Avraham Abu, who began planting vines approximately 23 years before a 2025 Mako article was published and started producing wine three years later. His operation grew from home production into a larger enterprise with advanced equipment, and in 2006 the winery won an international gold medal for a blend series at the TerraVino competition.
What is the archaeological significance of the area near Kfar Shamai?
Near the Bend parking area close to Kfar Shamai lies Khirbet Shema, an archaeological site containing remains of a city from the Talmudic period. The site was formerly associated with "Kfar Shemai" as mentioned in the Jerusalem Talmud, but is now generally identified with Galilean Tekoa, described as a suburb of Meron known for high-quality olive oil. This identification is presented as an accepted interpretation rather than an established certainty.