Introduction
Ra'anana, founded in 1922 by Jewish pioneers from New York, has grown from a small agricultural settlement which numbered 3000 residents in 1948 into a dynamic city of about 75,000 residents, in a constant momentum of development and growth.
Known as the "Jewel of the Sharon" for its many achievements in education, sport, quality of life and the environment as well as its manicured parks and gardens, Ra'anana boasts a prime, central location in the heart of Israel's Sharon area, 25 minutes drive north of Tel Aviv, and is easily accessible from all the major cities.
Population
Ra'anana has a reputation as a liberal, pluralistic and enlightened city, with a diverse population that is characterized by its mutual tolerance and respect. Thousands of English-speaking residents from the States, Canada, Britain and South Africa have made their home in Raanana, alongside immigrants from France, Latin America and the former USSR, as well as native Israelis. Approximately one quarter of the residents is Modern Orthodox and there are several synagogues that serve the English-speaking religious community, including Orthodox, Masorti and Reform, offering a wide range of activities and lectures in English.
Education
With 40% of the municipal budget reserved for education, Ra'anana has developed an award-winning educational system, pioneering many innovative educational programs. English is taught from first to twelfth grade consecutively, with English language classes for native English-speakers widely available. Extra language help is available for the children of new immigrants in selected schools and at the Absorption Center. All schools are air-conditioned, computerized and have their own sports facilities.
There are twelve public elementary schools in the city (eight secular and four religious). A TALI (or enriched Jewish learning) program is available in two kindergartens, a secular elementary school and a middle school. Private elementary school are available for those choosing more rigorous religious observance.
The city offers four secular middle schools and four high schools (three secular and one for religious girls, operated under the auspices of Amit). Boys seeking a religious middle and high school education at the school in Kfar Batya can choose between the yeshiva stream, the technological stream and the municipal class (the latter is only available at 7th grade for 2005/6). Other middle and high school educational options include Yeshivat Bnei Akiva and Meitarim Ra'anana, a semi-private religious pluralistic school.
The Ra'anana College offers a wide variety of courses and diplomas. The Open University recently relocated its headquarters to Ra'anana, making a world of academic enrichment only a walk or short drive from home.
Culture and Services
Ra'anana offers its residents a wide range of cultural activities and sports facilities. The three large community centers, multiple municipal sports facilities open from morning to night, libraries (including a very well-stocked English-language library) and schools are the venue for a wide network of municipally-sponsored activities for all ages. The city is home to sports teams of every kind, from basketball, volleyball, and soccer to baseball, judo and cricket. The municipality also runs day camps during the summer and school holidays. In addition, residents may join any number of private swimming and sports clubs. There are over 80 volunteer organizations active in the city, including many that are operated by English-speaking immigrants.
Cultural and art activities are many and varied, including theater (English-language as well as Hebrew), classical and rock music concerts, family entertainment shows, art exhibitions etc. Under the auspices of the municipality, many art and cultural groups operate, including adult and youth choirs, teenage singing troupe, youth orchestra, amateur theater groups (English and Hebrew), a dance center, etc. The Ra'anana Symphonette Orchestra, recognized as one of the foremost orchestras in Israel, performs many concerts in Ra'anana.
With over 100 public parks, playgrounds and gardens, Ra'anana offers its residents a quality of life that is the envy of its neighbors. The vast Ra'anana Park, with its wide open spaces, children’s zoo, adventure playgrounds, cycle paths, sculptures, boating lake and 2500 seat amphitheater, is the jewel in the crown.
One of the first municipalities to be awarded a special prize for quality of service in the public sector, Ra'anana offers its residents a 24 hour city hotline, an interactive website (in English), free counseling services (in English), online payments of municipal taxes and a public ombudsman.
Employment
In recent years, Ra'anana has become a major hi-tech center, with national and international companies relocating to the city’s business park, including, among others, Amdocs, NICE, SAP, Comverse, Retalix and HP. The Ra'anana Business Center (MATI) provides professional services to young entrepreneurs and new immigrants starting businesses. A large mall and the many shops in the main commercial district provide jobs and prime retail opportunities.
Absorption Assistance
The city of Ra'anana is part of the new Communal Aliyah Absorption Project – Better Together – Aliyah V’Klita Kehilatit. This pilot program is designed to provide the new oleh with a supportive framework, professional guidance and financial assistance in all aspects of immigration and absorption. Benefits provided by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, the Jewish Agency and the Ra'anana Municipality to project participants include:
- A professional project coordinator who will assist project participants in all aspects of their absorption during the first year.
- Initial temporary housing for a two-week period at a local apartment or Jewish Agency Absorption Center at no cost.
- In addition to the regular Ulpan Aleph (Initial Ulpan), further ulpan hours will be offered to program participants. Students will receive subsistence allowance if studies take place during morning hours.
- Job search assistance.
- Financial rental assistance for housing for the first six months.
- Special assistance for employment training or retraining for a period of two years from aliyah.
- Subsidy for private business initiatives.
- Special assistance for olim children in the school framework including tutoring and Hebrew lessons.
- Municipally arranged social and cultural activities, which include lectures, trips, educational seminars and programs.
- English-speaking host families to assist in the absorption process.
- Additional local discounts for special programs or activities.
- Exemptions in the Arnona Municipal Tax for the first year.
For additional information please contact:
In Israel
Michele Kaplan-Green
Tel: 09-7610766/7, michelekg@raanana.muni.il
In North America
To get an impression of life for the anglo community in Raanana, see their English language local newspaper (available both on line and in print) at: www.raanananow.com