Israel: On a tranquil agricultural school campus in the heart of the northern Israeli town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur lies Rimon - a flourishing Waldorf community that attracts a diverse group of local families from across the region. Founded in 2006 by a small group of parents and educators, there are approximately 450 children enrolled in five kindergartens and a growing elementary school, which currently houses grades one through eight. Plans for the immediate future include a high school that runs through 12th grade.

At the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year, Rimon moved into its new home in Pardes Hannah. The extensive renovation project was carried out by a team of professionals and volunteers from within the Rimon community in conjunction with outside resources, allowing the Rimon Association to realize its vision of establishing a center for Waldorf education.

In buildings that celebrate the town’s educational history, Rimon students focus on the task at hand – an English or Arabic lesson, a music class, learning Torah, or a math class. Furthermore, art and music are an integral part of the curriculum, woven into each and every subject in a way that embodies the core of Waldorf education and inspires an appreciation for beauty that accompanies the students throughout their lives.

As Rimon grows, it continues to nurture a close-knit community by organizing a variety of extra-curricular events throughout the year. Communal holiday celebrations, day and overnight hikes and other gatherings play an integral role, ensuring that bonds are created between families as well as among the students themselves.