Ra'anana
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| Ra'anana | |
| Hebrew | רַעֲנָנָה |
| Arabic | رعنانا |
| Founded in | April 2, 1922 |
| Government | City |
| District | Center |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Population | 73,100 (December 2007) |
| Jurisdiction | 14,928 dunams (14.9 km²) |
| Mayor | Nahum Hofree |
Ra'anana (Hebrew: רַעֲנָנָה) is a city in the southern Sharon Plain of the Center District of Israel. The city has recently received many immigrants from South Africa, North America, United Kingdom, France and Argentina and has a population of 73,100. [1]
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[edit] History
Ra'anana's story began in 1912 with the founding of Ahuza Alef - New York, an American company that was involved in the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel, the purpose of which was to purchase land, to immigrate to the country, and to establish an agricultural settlement. World War I put an end to the plan temporarily. American groups such as Ahuza Alef bought real estate from the Arabs with Turkey's approval and encouragement. Most Arabs landowners were not living on the land and used poorer relations or peasants to do the agricultural tasks.[2]
Only in 1922, did they manage to finally build the settlement, when on April 2, two wagons left Tel Aviv with four members of the Ahuza group, three workers, and two armed guards. At the end of the five-hour journey, they reached their destination, unloaded the wagon, and decided that they would erect the first tent on that spot.
In its early days, it was called Raananya, a name suggested by its founders in the U.S. The settlement's Arab neighbors called it Americaya because most of the existing residents spoke English and came from Montreal and New York City. Finally, the first settlers selected a Hebrew version of the name, and it was called Ra'anana, meaning fresh.
[edit] Ra'anana Today
Ra'anana attracts many immigrants from English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa who immigrate there because of the ease of communication. The city also has a growing French immigrant community. [1]
Ra'anana is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Israel. This is due in part to the Ra'anana City Council's banning of heavy industry, which ensures that the air stays clean. The council also implemented the annual flower competition, which keeps the city covered in flowers and lends it a peaceful atmosphere.
[edit] Industry & Commerce
In its northern area lays a very developed industrial area, containing the city's "Renanim" mall, many stores and hi-tech software companies, such as: Emblaze (one of the largest information technology corporations), Hewlett-Packard, SAP, and semiconductor manufacturer Texas Instruments.
The east part contains other well known hi-tech companies including: the telecommunications billing giant Amdocs, the security systems and software company NICE Systems and Microsoft Israel's head offices.
Ahuza, the city's main street, runs through the city from east to west. The street houses many stores, restaurants and coffee shops.
[edit] Education
The city has 12 elementary schools, 10 junior-highs and 8 high-schools. Education level in Ra'anana is considered to be one of Israel's highest. It also has special educational frameworks for gifted students and for students with different disabilities such as autism.
[edit] Ra'anana Park
The park of Raanana is the largest urban park in the Sharon area.
The park was established for the benefit and pleasure of Ra'anana's residents and the city's visitors. The Ra'anana Municipality invested a large budget in establishing the park and continues to invest in its ongoing development. The park's administration and employees ensure its cleanliness and upkeep as well as the security of its facilities for the welfare of its visitors. It offers myriad possibilities for rest and relaxation, walking and bike paths, as well as activities on the sports fields and a visit to the zoological garden with its petting corner for children. In addition the park offers a beautiful lake. Its clover shape is reminiscent of Raanana's city emblem. There are two fountains in the lake and pedestrians can cross over it on the bridge. The lake is surrounded by special gardens, including the Seven Species garden, and there are pleasant shaded walking paths alongside the lake.
The park's amphitheatre has hosted many musical acts including:
- Evanescence
- Lauryn Hill
- Tori Amos
- The Cranberries
- Pet Shop Boys
- Vaya Con Dios
- Chick Corea and Gary Burton
- The Australian Pink Floyd Show
- Patrick Bruel
The Founders Museum presents the story and lifestyle of Raanana's original settlers, from the arrival of "the Ahuza Alef-New York Association" (at the beginning of the century) until Raanana became an official local council in 1936.[3]
[edit] Religion
Though the majority of Ra'anana residents are secular, there is a sizable religious minority, mainly consisting of Modern Orthodox Jews, many of whom are Western immigrants. There are several synagogues around the city, and there is also a small Hasidic community of Clevelander Hasidim, led by the Clevelander Rebbe of Ra'anana, Rabbi Yitzchok Rosenbaum.
[edit] Sports
The main soccer club of the city is Hapoel Ra'anana. In basketball, the city is represented by Bnei Hasharon who play at the MetroWest high school. With a large population of American expatriates, the Ra'anana Express are an inaugural team in the Israel Baseball League.
[edit] Mayors
The mayors of Raanana since 1922:
- Baruch Ostrovsky
- Michael Pasweig
- Yitzchak Shcolnik
- Benyamin Wolfuvich
- Zeev Bielski
- Nahum Hofree
[edit] Twin towns
Ra'anana's twin towns are:
