From Elite IDF Unit to Desert Glamping: The Uspensky Family Story
Roni and Racheli Uspensky live in a 72-sqm mobile home in the Dead Sea community of Kdem Arava. After leaving his military career, Roni launched a desert glamping business that recently hosted a major movie set.
Life on the Edge of the Desert
The Uspensky family—Roni (34), Racheli (33), and their five children (Shoval, Roei, Doron, Oz, and baby Gili)—live in Kdem Arava, a mixed religious-secular community near the Dead Sea. Their home is a 72-square-meter mobile unit (caravilla) with monthly expenses, including rent and utilities, under 3,000 ILS.
Racheli explains their current living situation:
"Now that Gili is born, it is really crowded. The community recently received building permits, but until we build our permanent home, we will probably need to add another room to this unit."
Kdem Arava is home to about 70 families. Both Roni and Racheli grew up in religious homes in Gush Etzion. Racheli remains religious, while Roni is no longer observant. They previously lived in Nir Galim, a religious cooperative near Ashdod, where Roni felt uncomfortable with strict Sabbath norms. In Kdem Arava, the mixed atmosphere allows everyone to live according to their own choices without friction.
Choosing Freedom Over the Center
Last summer, the family was on the verge of moving back to central Israel, specifically Mazkeret Batya, to provide more educational opportunities for their growing children. However, Racheli backed out at the last minute, unwilling to sacrifice the unique freedom and quiet their children enjoy in the desert.
Roni spent his entire adult life in an elite IDF combat unit. He was slated to become the deputy commander of his unit, but during the ongoing war, he decided to transition to civilian life. He now works as a sales manager for the high-tech firm Matrix in Kfar Saba, splitting his time between commuting and working from a local community co-working space.
Racheli admits she hoped he would stay in the military:
"I try to push him back into the army. We joke about it, but I truly believe that when you have a commander like him, you cannot let him go. It was a true mission, not just a regular job."
Building "Khan Midora" and Hosting Movie Stars
Following the death of Racheli's brother in the war, she left her job as a daycare teacher. The couple decided to pursue their dream of starting a tourism business. They bought a mobile caravan and expanded it into a desert glamping site called "Khan Midora," featuring air-conditioned tents and small dipping pools.
The unique location caught the attention of filmmakers, who rented the entire site for a month and a half to shoot a new movie inspired by the classic Israeli comedy "Givat Halfon." Famous actors like Eli Yatzpan and Shahar Hason stayed at the site, and the Uspensky children even landed minor roles in the film.
Financially, the family benefits from significant tax breaks and lower living costs in the periphery, though fuel remains a major expense due to the remote location and lack of delivery services. For leisure, Racheli enjoys dining out, while Roni prefers brewing coffee outdoors in the open desert.
