Ra'anana רעננה
G-d spoke to the prophet Z'kharyah and said,
"...My cities will again overflow with prosperity..." Z'karyah.1:17
In
1922 Ra'anana was founded by a small group of settlers from New York City and
today it is one of Israel's most thriving and prosperous Cities. At the
very least it maintains a middle class North American life style. It is located
between Tel Aviv and Netanya and has about 80,000 residents. About 35% are
English and has become a prime location for settling English speaking Olim.
G-d has reached down to touch this city bestowing His Blessings on it.
If
you could speak to Ra'anana what would you say to her? You might say, "I.Love
you more then all the cities of Israel. You are more precious than
Rubies"
The city has been built with wisdom. Besides the abundance of Olim from English speaking Nations you will find many from France, South America and Russia.
These people enjoy a quality of life not bettered anywhere in the world. From education to culture and sports this is 10 on a scale of 10. Enjoy the beautiful parks and gardens in this well planned out city which has been awarded the international standard ISO 9002. Ra'anana has over 100 public parks, playgrounds and gardens. Also very good cycle paths and even a small children's zoo.
This
is the place your children will love. They will thank you for bringing them here
because of all the activities they can enjoy.
From the very small to the grown teenager there will be no shortage of activities for them to do. Ra'anana is the home of many sports teams. Just name it and they have it. Basketball, volleyball, soccer , baseball, judo, cricket, bowling and more. North Americans will love the baseball.
In Ra'anana there is Baseball for all ages.
Below are photos of a team called the Ra'anana Raiders on a visit to the city of Modi'in.
As mentioned above there are other activities that the young people of Ra'anana enjoy. Have a look at a few photos from Ra'anana.
In the City Center building on Achuza street there is a dance school with excellent teachers. There are 3 air conditioned dance studios built according to international standards.
In
this city you will find the Ra'anana Symphonette Orchestra. The building on the
right is the home of the orchestra which is located on Ahuza street. It came
into existence in 1991 to aid in the absorption of immigrant artists and is
located at the Center of the Absorption of Immigrant Artists. This puts Ra'anana
on the Israeli Map of talent and good culture. Israel provides everyone the
opportunity to extract the talents G-d has given each one.
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Ra'anana
has a 2,500 seat amphitheator and it plays host to many events. The anual
Raanana Klezmer festival attracted 10,000 people at this location with events
that included musicians, singers and dancers. About 100 artist performed this
year. The event also had booths where people had all types of Jewish crafts and
art exhibits.
Over Sukkot a baby concert was held here hosting over 5,000 children and parents. Have you ever heard of a baby concert? Only in Israel. It was put together by the city and even the Symphonic Orchestra of Ra'anana participated. Have a look below.
Ra'anana is a mix of religious and secular who live together with respect for one another. About 25% of the population can be considered as Modern orthodox. Besides this, one can find a variety of other types of Religious congregations from orthodox to reformed. There are also several synagogues that conduct their services in English and English shiurim are easy to find. Below are a few of the beautiful synagogues of Ra'anana.
Our G-d spoke to us through the prophet Yirmeyahu (Jerimiah) and said,...
"I Love you with an everlasting Love; this is why in My grace I draw you to Me. Once again, I will build you; you will be rebuilt, Virgin of Yisrael...." Yir.31:2,3
In Ra'anana Purim is a favorite with the whole community. The young people have a great time in the city activities on this day of Joy. Have a look below!
Don't you wish you where here?
The city has a hi tech industrial park named Etgarim. The city has attracted some international hi tech companies. Among them are SAP, Amdocs, Nice, Retalix and Comverse.
Another thing that makes a city great are the volunteer organizations. Ra'anana has over 80 of them helping people across the community. More then a few are English speaking.
The
Ra'anana municipality has poured 40% of its budget into education and the fruit
of this effort has come forth. Today they have an award winning educational
system partly because of the many innovative educational programs. There are
secular and religious. There are also English speaking classes for those who are
new comers who do not yet know the local language. Below are two photos of the
Ra'anana Aviv High School.
After high school there is the Ra'anana College providing a variety of good courses. Recently the Open University moved its head quarters to Ra'anana giving its citizens close access to first rate learning. At Open university a person can take one coarse or several. Also one can go all the way for a Bachelor's degree. The term Open means that a person does not need to have some prior academic achievement in order to earn entry into the university. It is open to all who want to learn.
Ra'anana has 3 large community centers. Among its libraries is a well stocked English book library.
There
is much to do for senior citizens in this community as well as a community
support system for the seniors who need help. There is a Senior citizen employment
center, seniors day care center seen in the left photo. It is for seniors who suffer
physically and emotionally. They receive transportation there and back. There is
a senior cultural center and then there is The golden club. Members can participate
in activities such as Computers, exercise, ceramics Bible, bridge singing and
much more. Also there is sight seeing trips and many special events and parties.
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Have
you ever been to Canyon Renanim? It is one of Israel's best shopping malls
located here in Ra'anana. Here in this spectacular mall one can find 180
leading shops. It is just the place you are looking for.
One
of the most precious Jewels around the neck of Ra'anana is the
"Loewenstein
Hospital Rehabilitation Center." It is Israel's largest rehabilitation
center and is recognized internationally as a center of excellence.
Literally
thousands and thousands have passed through here in the last 25 years. They
treat in hospital and out patients with all types of needs. Such as physiotherapy,
occupational therapy, and speech disorders. They rehabilitate stroke victims
with great success and treat people with traumatic brain injuries. Also among
the many things they do is treat people with spinal cord injuries and the
fitting of prosthetic limbs and the aid the rehabilitation of amputees and joint
replacement. It operates several clinics, among them are a Diabetic food clinic,
a pain clinic and back clinic.
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The
Loewentein Hospital is affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of medicine in Tel
Aviv and provides for the training of medical students.
To quote
the director, he says"...Here at the Loewenstein Hospital Rehabilitation
Center, we strive to restore hope, and to turn that hope into reality.
Our constant goal is to help each individual reach the maximum - physically,
mentally and emotionally, for we know there can be no greater achievement for
the functionally disabled than to live their lives with the fullest independence
possible."
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For those who have not yet totally functional in the Hebrew language, there is a local English News paper called Ra'anana Now.
As of May 1rst 2006, Ra'anana is cited among 3 Israeli cities that the Ministry of Absorption and the Jewish Agency for Israel will provide a program that gives extra assistance to new North American Olim families with children who settle in any of the three cities. The other 2 are Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. And besides this, the city of Ra'anana has special programs to help settle in new Olim.
It is written in B'resheet Rabah 39 that, "It is better to sleep in the deserts of the Land of Israel than in the palaces of other lands."
That was then
Today HaShem has turned it around. One may now say, "It is better to sleep in the prosperous homes of the Land of Israel then in the destitute communities of other lands."
There are beautiful apartments and condos in Ra'anana.
Some photos below used with permission of Fresco Realty Ra'anana
And many nice homes.
Pass through the door of the house of Ra'anana and make your self a New Life!
A Jewish witness to the Land of Israel thought to himself. "Israel Is literally the worlds best kept secret. I have come to realize what many Jews around the world have failed to realize, and that is, what a great Land that our G-d has given us. His great arm is at work bestowing on His people prosperity. G-d is fulfilling His Covenant and promise to Avraham that his descendants would inherit this Land forever."
So When are you coming Home?!
“Those who trust in HaShem are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so HaShem surrounds His people, from this time forth and forever.” Tehillim (Psalms) 125:1-2
הודו ל'' כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו
