Omer, Israel
Omer
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|---|---|---|
| Hebrew transcription(s) | ||
| • ISO 259 | ʕomr | |
 | ||
| ||
  Omer | ||
| Coordinates: 31°15′51.48″N 34°50′48.9″E / 31.2643000°N 34.846917°ECoordinates: 31°15′51.48″N 34°50′48.9″E / 31.2643000°N 34.846917°E | ||
| District | Southern | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Local council | |
| • Head of Municipality | Pini Badash | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20,126 dunams (20.1 km2 or 7.8 sq mi) | |
| Population (2011)[1] | ||
| • Total | 7,080 | |
| Name meaning | Sheaf | |
Omer (Hebrew: עֹמֶר) is an upscale town in the South District of Israel, bordering Beersheba. It is located on Highway 60, between Beersheba and the Shoket Junction.
History
Omer, originally known as Hevrona, was founded as a kibbutz in 1949. The early residents were demobilized Palmach soldiers. In 1951, it became a cooperative village known as Eilata. In 1953, it was re-established as a communal moshav by immigrants from Hungary and Romania and renamed Omer. The name is based on a verse from the book of Leviticus.[2]
In 1957, residents of the ma'abarot in the vicinity moved to Omer. In 1962, it was renamed Tomer and became a neighborhood of Beersheba. Since 1974, it has been an independent town and suburb of Beersheba.[2]
Pini Badash has served as mayor since 1990. In 2010, according to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the population of Omer was 6,593.[1] Omer's jurisdiction is 20,126 dunams (~20.1 km²).
Economy
Omer is known for its high socio-economic ranking. It is one of three municipalities to score 10/10, along with Kokhav Yair and Savyon.[3]
Notable residents
- Eviatar Banai, Musician
- Guy Barnea, Olympic swimmer
- Roni Dalumi, singer
- Mickey Edelstein, general
- Amir Ganiel, swimmer
- Imri Ganiel, Olympic swimmer
- Ziv Kalontarov, swimmer
- Shaul Ladany, world-record-holding Olympic racewalker, Bergen-Belsen survivor, Munich Massacre survivor, and Professor of Industrial Engineering
References
- 1 2 "Localities File 2010" (XLS). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- 1 2 HaReuveni, Immanuel (1999). Lexicon of the Land of Israel (in Hebrew). Miskal - Yedioth Ahronoth Books and Chemed Books. p. 769. ISBN 965-448-413-7.
- ↑ "Local Authorities in Israel 2005, Publication #1295 - Municipality Profiles - Omer" (PDF) (in Hebrew). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
External links
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