My name is Eshel Knafo, and I am happily married to Mali. We are proud parents to our three children, Arad, Yahav, and Liya. We reside in the beautiful city of Gedera, where we moved to in 2008 from the Kfar Aviv settlement in Gederot. Mali works as a Hebrew language teacher at Darcha Ramon High School in Gedera, and I manage Like Home in addition to my role as a purchasing manager at TechMer from the Mer Group.

When I decided to move from international trade to international hospitality, I founded Like Home as a way to pursue my passion for new places and cultures in a more fulfilling and enjoyable way. It was a welcome change from my previous business, Lead Times, which had left me with a sense of existential anxiety.

Through my experiences at Lead Times, I discovered that my true joy came from the exposure to new places and cultures rather than the business activity itself. By transitioning to tourism and hospitality, I was able to preserve the fun part of international interaction while bringing the world to me.

To get started, I joined Airbnb & Couchsurfing, and since then, I have been running a local hospitality business while promoting and encouraging tourism in Gedera. My goal is to put Gedera on the international tourism map and showcase the unique beauty and charm of our city to visitors from all over the world.

In my opinion, there are two main reasons why many of us, as citizens, are unable to travel and tour as much as we would like. Firstly, the high cost of accommodation can be a significant barrier for many people. Secondly, many individuals face a lack of leisure time, which can make it difficult to plan and execute a trip.

Fortunately, we live in a world where social networks have created a global village that allows for affordable and accessible tourism. Through these networks, popular tourism has become a viable option for many individuals. With more affordable accommodation options available, people can explore new places and enjoy new experiences without breaking the bank.

In summary, while there may still be barriers to travel and tourism, the rise of social networks has made it easier and more affordable for individuals to explore the world and connect with other cultures.

Airbnb has revolutionized tourist accommodation by providing a unique experience where tourists can stay in private family homes and receive personal guidance from the hosts. This unmediated encounter allows tourists to live like locals and get to know the local way of life, all at a discounted and competitive price compared to traditional hotels in the same destination. This platform not only offers an affordable accommodation solution but also helps households generate additional income to diversify and stabilize their family economy.

Similarly, Couchsurfing connects tourists with local private hosts who invite them to stay for free in their homes for a short period. The sleeping arrangements can be flexible and may include a spare room, a sleeping bag on the carpet, or a couch in the living room. The goodwill and mutual trust fostered by this platform create an environment for cultural exchange, exposure, and enrichment for both parties. This social, worldwide economy connects people and helps tourists navigate and understand the local culture and way of life from an insider’s perspective.

The growth and expansion of these two networks have challenged the entire hotel industry, affecting occupancy levels and prices worldwide. This phenomenon has increased the scope of incoming tourism, traffic, customer base, and economic activity wherever it occurs. However, the phenomenon has also had a controversial effect on the rental apartment market.

Overall, the rise of these popular tourism networks has transformed the way people travel and experience new cultures. The social connections and cultural exchanges made possible by these platforms have the potential to bring people together, break down barriers, and create a more unified global community.

Gedera is situated in the heart of the coastal plain and the lowlands, conveniently located near Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ashdod, and several major highways, including 4, 6, 7, 40, and 431. The residential units are nestled in the heart of the historic residential neighborhood and just a short walk away from various entertainment options.

Interestingly, Gedera has been a resort town and a destination for medical tourism since the 1930s. Today, the main street of Gedera is part of a conservation project and is home to a vibrant array of cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops, galleries, and boutiques. Visitors can explore a diverse range of stores offering Judaica mosaics, jewelry, metal sculptures, stained glass sculptures, and designer clothing. The street provides a unique experience for tourists looking to discover the rich history and culture of the area while enjoying the modern amenities and entertainment options.

Temporary residence

It turns out that there is a significant need and demand for temporary living solutions among neighbors, friends and Israelis from all over the country. People who are in transition between apartments and houses, people who are renovating the house, people who are forced to leave the house for a short period of time due to spraying, disinfection, a malfunction, or those who are leaving the house, separating, divorcing, people who are looking for a quiet corner for a period, to relax, isolate, rest, write a research paper, study for the test, finish writing the book, etc. Also, there are relatives and companions who come to accompany and dine with those hospitalized in the Herzfeld Hospital, Kaplan or in one of the nursing homes, Ganim, Beit BaKfar and Neve Oranim. It turns out that our close location to Herzfeld (900 meters) on the one hand and the proximity to the Great Yeshurun Synagogue (400 meters) on the other hand is suitable for Shabbat-observant patient attendants. Already in the last century Gedera was known for its good air and this fact attracted vacationers and people recovering from asthma and other respiratory diseases and made the settlement a well-known and well-known recovery site.

Tourist accommodation

At the same time, there is a movement of incoming tourism consisting of family members who come to visit relatives in Gedera and/or the surrounding area, for family events, to celebrate holidays together, and there are also those who come to visit residents in one of the many retirement homes in Gedera. Alongside this, there are regular tourists who come to Israel to rest and travel, and are looking for a convenient, discounted central location, with parking and without traffic jams.

Corona isolation quarantine

With the outbreak of the corona covid 19 at the beginning of 2020, many found Lick Home suitable for staying during the isolation period. Also, the corona virus pushed and significantly increased the need and ability to work from home, and here also Like Home, with its high-speed internet infrastructure and high level of equipment, became a classic place to stay and temporarily live and continue working remotely. These advantages are used by tourists from abroad and also by Israeli citizens who, for many reasons, are looking for a suitable place that allows temporary residence and remote work with maximum comfort without paying for expensive hotels.

The residential units in Like Home are separate and with complete privacy. The design of the units has motifs of sound, shape and color in nature. A sound is the chirping of the birds in the morning and that changes to the sounds of the wind chimes in the yard. Shape and color are a recurring motif in the interior design of the units, the walls of the rooms serve as a permanent exhibition of paintings by the late abstract painter and poet Shoshana Knafo Knafot. Nature is the yard, the garden, a fence and the entire rural environment around us.

On this website we also collect and publish regional tourist information that is relevant to tourists interested in visiting Israel and Gedera in particular. The information on the site is divided into four main categories: the business, the units, the environment and what can be done there. In the subcategories you can find information and recommendations about landscapes and sites, a map of Gedera, transportation in Gedera, a map of the area, restaurants, nightlife, culture, sports, dance, attractions, beaches, history, trips and a collection of photos from sites and the main cities in Israel. For the business people who choose to stay with us, I offer help in locating and coordinating visits and tours to Israeli manufacturers and suppliers and liaison with officials and institutions in Israel.

The plan for the next five years is to complete the layout of the marketing infrastructure, renovate and upgrade the existing units, locate another suitable property for the benefit of expanding the business. In planning to add modular units of different sizes. Establishing a shaded tropical jungle garden with a pool. And at the same time, we might operate a boarding house for dogs where guests can host their pets during their stay with us.