| Established: |
1978 |
|
Type of Community: |
City |
|
Population: |
18,000 Residents and 10,000 Students, slated to grow to 60,000. |
|
Location: |
The Capital of Samaria, Ariel is located in the heart of Israel, 40 km (25 miles) east of Tel Aviv and 60 km north of Jerusalem. The city stretches 12 km (8 miles) in length and is situated over 600 meters (almost 2000 feet) above sea level. Ariel residents enjoy dry, clean air and gentle mountain breezes. |
|
Age Range: |
As Ariel is a self-rejuvenating city there is an even mix of all ages - from newborns to youth to young, middle and advanced age adults. Ariel is home to both families and singles. |
|
% English-Speakers: |
Currently less than 5%, with a steady increase beginning summer 2008 due to the city's new Community Aliyah Program. |
|
Education: |
Pre-School : There are 780 children in Ariel's 26 pre-schools, including kindergartens specializing in the arts and language development.
Elementary
Schools
Religious
Education
Junior High +
High School
Pedagogical
Center The Ariel University Center One of the fastest growing academic institutions in the country, offers Bachelor degrees in many fields (architecture, civil engineering, chemistry, electronics, biology, physics, social work, physical therapy and management to name just a few), as well as a number of master degree programs. |
|
Cultural Activities: |
Ariel’s Community and
Cultural Center offers dozens of
extracurricular leisure and cultural
activities for residents of all ages.
This includes assorted sports, creative
and performing arts programs, youth
entertainment groups, concerts,
competitions, theater, a Municipal
library and clubs for the elderly.
In the constantly growing range of recreational activities, the year 2008 will offer even more. Projects scheduled for completion include a Center for the Performing Arts, a Major Park facility with a water element, a Youth Leadership Adventure Park and a Sports Recreation Complex. If Ariel wasn’t already in the focus, her extensive facilities and cultural offerings would put her there. Ariel has its own community radio and television station. This station, is run by volunteer broadcasters from the community who have taken part in the communications and broadcasting courses offered by the station. |
|
Religious life: |
Aiming to do everything to its maximum, Ariel is no longer satisfied simply to meet the needs of her religious population. 10-15% of the residents are religious. Presently there are over thirteen synagogues of different congregations, three mikvaot, a number of local shiurim, a Hesder yeshiva, four Kollels and a Bnei Akiva youth group. In the past few years, Ariel began to feel the winds of change in the religious community life. A group of young religious families arrived in the past few years to integrate into the Ariel community and to add Torani support. In addition, the community recently benefited from an influx of families from the religious community of Netzarim (formerly of Gush Katif) and their community rabbi. In addition, as of September, 2008, Ariel will have a new Anglo community rabbi. Rabbi Hillel Maizels, his wife Yael and their children are a new asset to the ever-developing religious life in the city. With this serving as a viable base, Ariel is now opening its arms to attract and welcome religious communities, individuals and families. |
|
Transportation |
Ariel is
located on highway number 5
that runs from Tel Aviv
eastward across the center
of the country straight to
Ariel. Ariel is
approximately a 45 min. drive
from Tel Aviv. Public transportation every 15 min. includes: Dan buses 186 and 286 travel between Tel Aviv and Ariel frequently. Egged bus 148 travels between Jerusalem and Ariel throughout the day. |
|
Medical care: |
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. |
|
Businesses: |
The city includes all governmental and consumer services, as well as several commercial centers. |
|
Physical Surroundings: |
The city is clean and nicely maintained, with flowers adorning sidewalks. |
|
Climate: |
Dry in the summer, cooler mountain climate in the winter. |
|
Contacts: |
Director of Aliyah - Avi Zimmerman (972)-54-569-1217 Email:arielaliyah@gamil.com Ariel Municipality - Ariel City Hall (972) 3-9061600 or (972) 3-9061844
|
|
Website: |
Site: www.ariel.muni.il/ariel/en/ Blog: www.arielaliyah.wordpress.com Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arielaliyah/ Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5994778609
|
CONTENTS
Amidst terraced hills
and age-old olive 
Ariel
is a microcosm of Israel. Home to
almost 18,000 residents and another
10,000 students, the city's population
includes all walks of life. Every age
group is represented; approximately
10-15% of the residents are religious,
50% traditional and the rest secular,
every origin of Israelis and immigrants
join together to make up the population.
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. The city’s
strong point is without a doubt the
emphasis on community. 
There are 4 Elementary Schools in Ariel
with a total of 1800 pupils. Considered
one of Israel best elementary school
system, each of the 4 schools,
Nachshonim Milken Aliza Begin & Or
Zvulun, specialize in a different field.
All of the schools have "Learning
Through Technology" programs where
children learn, through online research,
to become independent learners.
In Ariel, there are two Junior High
Schools and a Comprehensive High School
with a total of 1600 students. Because
the High School must serve the needs of
the entire community, almost all Ariel's
students are accepted and very few need
go to schools outside Ariel.
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. 
Ariel’s Cultural Center offers
Presently
there are over thirteen synagogues of
different congregations, three mikvaot,
a number of local shiurim, a Hesder
yeshiva, two Kollels and a Bnei Akiva
youth group. In the past few years,
Ariel began to feel the winds of change
in the religious community life.
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.
The
cultural socio-economic impact of the
Smart City project on Ariel residents
and users will be seen in the following
fields: wider range of personal
relationships with in the city, borders
with the outside world will disappear,
increased economic advantages resulting
from the expanding opportunities, and a
wider and more accessible market, at
lower costs but higher integration with
in the community.
The
latest advance in Ariel's absorption
services is its program for integrating
North American aliyah. Ariel is now home
to the Community Aliyah Program,
featuring a comprehensive package of
benefits...
Ariel's success with aliyah absorption
is unsurpassed. Today, over 50 % of
Ariel's population are immigrants from
the former Soviet Union. Many special
programs and projects, from Hebrew Ulpan
classes to rent controlled housing for
senior citizens, have been established
to let the newcomers know they are
wanted and welcome in Ariel.
