Kokhav Ya'ir

Kokhav Ya'ir–Tzur Yigal
  • כּוֹכַב יָאִיר‎‎
  • كوخاف يئير‎
Hebrew transcription(s)
 • ISO 259 Kokab Yaˀir - Çur Yigˀal
 • Also spelled Kochav Yair (unofficial)
Kokhav Ya'ir–Tzur Yigal
Coordinates: 32°13′41″N 35°00′02″E / 32.22806°N 35.00056°E / 32.22806; 35.00056Coordinates: 32°13′41″N 35°00′02″E / 32.22806°N 35.00056°E / 32.22806; 35.00056
District Central
Founded 1986[1]
Government
 • Type Local council
 • Head of Municipality Shimi Eliel
Area
 • Total 3,072 dunams (3.072 km2 or 1.186 sq mi)
Population (2015)[2]
 • Total 9,054
Name meaning Named for Abraham "Yair" Stern

Kokhav Ya'ir–Tzur Yigal (Hebrew: כּוֹכַב יָאִיר-צוּר יִגְאָל‎, also Kochav Yair–Tzur Yigal) is a town (local council) in the Central District of Israel. Kokhav Ya'ir and the neighboring town of Tzur Yigal (Hebrew: צוּר יִגְאָל‎) merged in November 2003. In 2015 it had a population of 9,054.[2]

History

Kokhav Ya'ir was established in 1981 by 15 families living in temporary quarters. Two years later, work began on infrastructure for a permanent town. In 1986, 550 families moved into permanent housing and the town was officially founded.[1] Tzur Yigal was founded in 1991, with the first families moving into permanent homes in the summer of 1994.

Naming origin

Kokhav Ya'ir (literally "Ya'ir's star") was named for Avraham Stern, who went by the alias Ya'ir. He was the founder and leader of the Lehi group, a militant Jewish underground active during the British Mandate of Palestine. Stern is also German for "star." Tzur Yigal (literally "Yigal's rock") was named for Israeli Knesset member Yigal Cohen.[3]

Demography

Kokhav Ya'ir is predominantly Jewish, with a high income level. Kokhav Yair is a secular community with a religious minority. Religious tensions are virtually non-existent. Residents from English speaking countries comprise approximately 20% of the population.

Geography

Kokhav Ya'ir

Kokhav Ya'ir is located at lat. 32° 00' N, long. 35° 00' E, approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north-north-east of the city of Kfar Saba and 95 meters above sea level. Neighboring the municipality on its south-west border is kibbutz Eyal, approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north-west is the Israeli Arab city of Tira and approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south is the Palestinian Authority governed city of Qalqilyah.

The Sapir Lookout in Kokhav Ya'ir attracts bird watchers who come to observe the semi-annual migration of many species of birds.

Education and sports

Kokhav Ya'ir currently has four schools, two secular elementary schools ('Keshet' and 'Nof Tzurim'), one religious elementary school ('Dekel') and one middle school ('Ramon', named after the Astronaut Ilan Ramon). After finishing middle school students are usually directed to highschools in Ra'anana and Kfar Saba and Herzliya.[3]

Kokhav Ya'ir's local basketball team, Elitzur Kokhav Ya'ir, has been a member of the Israel National Basketball League since 2008.

Notable residents


Kokhav Ya'ir, as seen from Tzur Natan

References

  1. 1 2 "Kokhav Ya'ir History" (in Hebrew). Kokhav Ya'ir municipality website. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  2. 1 2 "List of localities, in Alphabetical order" (PDF). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  3. 1 2 Mayor Kokhav Yair-Tzur Yigal local council
  4. ↑ The Hiloni Rebbe
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