Odem

Moshav Odem is like an enchanting corner taken straight out of a storybook: a small village in the heart of an expansive forest, where the air is cool and clean, and days unfold at a different pace – calm, natural, and more pleasant. It is located in the northern Golan Heights, at an elevation of over 1,000 meters, surrounded on all sides by endless greenery.

Life here feels like an invitation to take a deep breath. In the mornings, you hear the rustle of trees instead of traffic noise, and in the evening, you sit in the yard watching stars you could never see from the city. In winter, snow sometimes falls, coating everything in white, and in spring the moshav fills with cherry blossoms, forest blooms, and above all the scent of wet earth.

Odem is a small, secular moshav with a warm, diverse community. Residents know one another, yet everyone finds the personal space they need. It is a community that fosters holiday celebrations, neighborly gatherings, and activities for children – but without pressure, without rush. Simply good, close-knit living.

Families enjoy quality educational frameworks in a natural environment: a daycare and kindergarten in the moshav, excellent schools nearby, and community-social education that reflects the green character of the area. Children grow up free, running among the trees, climbing boulders, and discovering nature as part of their daily lives.

The surrounding area features hiking trails, viewpoints, oak forests, a beloved family winery, and vast open spaces where one can lose oneself – the kind that puts the heart at ease. It is one of the few places in Israel where you can truly hear quiet.

This is a moshav for those who want to live in a green, open environment, feel the changing seasons, and find a small community that accepts you exactly as you are.

Founding of the Settlement: Odem was established in 1975 when the Government of Israel approved settlement at the site.  Initially, a group of young pioneers settled here, living in a nearby abandoned Syrian base, but many left due to the hardships of cold weather and strong winds. Only in 1981 did a new settlement group arrive, thereby establishing the community as it is known today.

The Settlement Today: Moshav Odem is situated in the heart of the Odem Forest Nature Reserve, at an altitude of approximately 1,090 meters; mountainous vistas, crisp cool air, and winter snow make it a unique area in the northern Golan Heights.  

Today, the settlement is not only a place of residence, but also a hub for rural tourism: it features B&Bs, nature trails, and hospitality services, making it a popular destination for vacations and hikers. In addition, the Har Odem Winery operates here, a boutique winery producing wines locally, benefiting from the mountainous climate and unique regional terroir, surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring. 

Settlement residents work in agriculture – apples, cherries, wine grapes, flowers, and poultry. Alongside farming, residents earn their livelihoods in education, woodworking, and various liberal professions found in the region.

Community Characteristics: Small, family-oriented community: approximately 250 residents, where everyone knows one another and shares community life during holidays and communal events.
Blend of veterans and young families: a stable population with many young families and demographic renewal in recent years.
Quiet, rural atmosphere: surrounded by nature, with a cool mountain climate.

High mutual solidarity: mutual neighborly assistance and extensive joint community activities.

Affinity for tourism and agriculture: many residents work in B&Bs, hospitality, vineyards and orchards, and guided tours in the Odem Forest.

Public Institutions and Services: 

• Education: kindergarten and daycare inside the settlement.
• Community: classes, workshops, community events, and youth movement.
• Employment and Services: Odem residents work in a wide range of professions:
  • Agriculture, tourism, education, services, liberal professions, remote work, and more.
  • The moshav is close to regional centers – providing diverse employment opportunities alongside a high quality of life.

Absorption and Expansions: Moshav Odem promotes the absorption of young families and settlement expansion with new housing units and advanced infrastructure, while preserving its rural character and connection to nature.