Population and Community

Ariel is a microcosm of Israel. Home to almost 20,000 residents and another 10,000 students, the city's population includes residents from all walks of life. Every age group is represented; approximately 10-20% of the residents are religious, 50% traditional and the rest secular. Over ten years ago the city saw an influx of a large Russian aliyah, today representing over half of the residents. This aliyah was highly successful, adding much to the cultural and educational levels of the city. In the many different neighborhoods that make up Ariel, there is a keen sense of interaction and harmony.

Religious Life

Presently there are over thirteen synagogues in Ariel, three mikvaot, a number of local shiurim, a Hesder yeshiva, two Kollels and a Bnei Akiva youth group. Recently the community benefited from an influx of families from the religious community of Netzarim (formerly of Gush Katif) and their community rabbi. An additional group of young religious families arrived in the past few years to integrate into the Ariel community and to add Torani support. With this serving as a viable base, Ariel is now opening its arms to attract and welcome religious communities, individuals and families. The community offers opportunities that include a real connection and opportunities for involvement.

Representing the full range of  Israeli society and a full expression of the concept of Achdut, unity, one of Ariel’s strongest selling points is the heterogeneous nature of the community, based on mutual respect. The key word here is integration, offering the English speaking  oleh the opportunity to build a community within a community, a chance to enjoy the benefits of a city, the pleasures of a small community and the idealism of being part of its growth. The city also has it's own English speaking Rabbi at the Ohel Ephraim Shul, a warm close-knit community happy to welcome in new families. Being the original Ashkenazi Shul in Ariel, Ohel Ephraim has a unique mix of old and young, Sabras and Olim, religious and traditional, families and singles. 

Education

Primed as one of the city’s highest priorities, the educational system of Ariel reflects that focus, and is today considered one of the most prestigious in Israel. Ariel incorporates not only day-care, pre-schools, 4 elementary schools, 3 junior highs, and a comprehensive high school, but the renowned Ariel University Center as well. For families looking for a religious education, the State Religious Elementary School (Mamad) is interested, together with the municipality, in meeting the growing demands of  observant residents, and offering them educational solutions to fit their needs. Religious families with older children or those wanting a more intensiveYeshiva education, can join the many established religious communities in the surrounding area, offering various educational options for elementary and middle school, yeshivot and ulpanot.

The Ariel University Center, one of the fastest growing academic institutions in the country, offers Bachelor Degrees in many fields, including: architecture, civil engineering, chemistry, electronics, biology, physics, sociology and management, to name just a few, as well as MA Degree programs.

The AUC is set to become the second academic institute in Israel to open its gates to part-time students and olim with a full first year study course in English combined with ulpan and classes in Jewish enrichment and Zionism.  ATZIL (Academics Torah & Zionism in Israel) is designed to offer a soft landing pad for visiting students and new olim wthin an Israeli academic environment.  The program offers four academic tracks with first year courses taught in English.

Housing

As a result of the rapid and sustained growth of Ariel, and the constant development of building projects, there is a large choice of housing – apartments, cottages and separate villas, at competitive prices. Despite its proximity to the coastal region of Tel Aviv, prices for sales and rentals are significantly lower in Ariel, and those who invest in the city receive far more for their money than they would in most other areas. A three-room rental goes for approximately 2300 shekels, with five rooms in the 3000-3500 range. The rates for buying a new two floor six-room apartment is approximately 920,000 shekels, and the cost of buying a new semi-detached five-bedroom home is in the 670,000 shekel range.

Employment

Due to its prime location, Ariel residents enjoy the flexibility of easy access to many employment centers. Situated in close proximity to where two major thoroughfares of the country intersect, nothing is really very far away. An hour drive to Jerusalem and 45 minutes to Tel Aviv, Ariel is a perfect bedroom community for other locations in the center, such as Herzliya, Petach Tikva and Rosh Ha'ayin. There is an advanced industrial center in Ariel, with over 150 plants and factories providing employment for thousands. A regular and frequent bus service runs to all the above-mentioned areas is available as well as 50-65% discounts on public transportation tickets to the Tel Aviv area. In any discussion on employment in Ariel, the University Center must be mentioned. With over 10,000 students, many undergraduate programs and a variety of academic and research departments, there is always a need for quality academics and professionals that may find their place within the Center. Additionally, Ariel maintains a first-class hotel with many local tourist attractions and thriving municipal, educational and commercial services, that are growing, and in need of quality personnel.

Culture and Services

Ariel’s Community and Cultural Center offers dozens of extracurricular leisure and cultural activities for residents of all ages. These include assorted sports, creative and performing arts programs, youth entertainment groups, concerts, competitions, theater, a Municipal library and clubs for the elderly.

The city is home to governmental and consumer services, as well as several commercial centers. There are a large range of social and health services, including four health clinics and their full network of medical services. An Emergency Medical Center operated by Magen David Adom, and a twenty- four hour ambulance service provide ongoing medical care.

Absorption Assistance for Participants in the Communal Aliyah and Absorption Project

The city of Ariel is part of the Communal Aliyah and Absorption Project. This program is designed to provide the new immigrant with a supportive framework, professional guidance and financial assistance, in all aspects of immigration and absorption. Benefits provided by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, in conjunction with the Jewish Agency and the Ariel Municipality offer project participants the following: (please note, these benefits are in addition to the usual benefits provided to new olim.)

• A professional project coordinator who will accompany project participants in all aspects of their pre-aliyah and absorption during the first year of aliyah.
• Initial temporary housing for up to a month.
• Additional Rental assistance is offered for a six-month period.
• Assistance in finding suitable housing.
• An additional 200 Ulpan hours will be offered to program participants, in addition to the regular 500 Ulpan hours.
• Employment Assistance Services.
• Assistance, workshops and personal guidance, (starting abroad) for private business initiatives.
• Absorption and integration of scientists (new immigrants, post-doctorates and sabbaticals) in the University Center.
• Additional assistance for Olim children within the school framework.
• English-speaking and Israeli host families to assist in the absorption process.
• Social and cultural activities, including lectures, trips, educational seminars and programs.
• Subsidies for extra curricular activities 
• Special subsidies for kindergartens and after school frameworks.

For information about the Ariel Communal Aliyah Program in Israel please contact:

Project Coordinator Reuven Franks
Tel: (03) 906-1673, 054-569-1217
Email: Aliyah@Ariel.muni.il
www.ariel.muni.il/en