Raanana Israel Reveals Its Glory

Graphic: City of Raanana

By Israel News Agency Staff

Ra'anana ----November 2008 .......... Ra'anana is a small city (about 80,000 citizens) in the southern Gush Dan Sharon region of Israel. Ra'anana is a suburb of Tel Aviv, about a twenty minute car ride north. Ra'anana is predominantly Jewish, with many Anglo immigrants from English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.

Ra'anana is bordered by the towns of Kfar Sava to the East and Hezliya to the West. It is a beautiful, modern city, which was well planned and noted for its respected infrastructure.

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Ra'anana, Israel has served as an example of how both the secular and religious Jewish communities in Israel can live side by side with tolerance and respect.

Raanana's story began in 1912, with the founding of "Achuza A - New York", a company that was involved in the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel, the purpose of which was to purchase land in Palestine, to immigrate to this country and to establish an agriculture settlement in Israel. The First World War put an end to the plan temporarily. Only in 1922, did the dream finally come true.

On the 2nd of April 1922, two wagons left Tel Aviv with 4 members of the original Ra'anana "Achuza" group, 3 workers and 2 armed guards. At the end of the 5 hour journey, they reached their destination, unloaded the wagon and decided that they would erect the first tent on that spot.

In its early days it was called "Raanania", a name suggested by its founders in the U.S. The settlement's Arab neighbors called it "Americaya", because most of it residents in those days spoke English and came from New York. Finally, the first settlers decided to select a Hebrew version of the name and it was called "Raanana".

Raanana's story is the story of the establishment of Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel, a story of Zionist fulfillment, a struggle for the country's independence and its establishment as the State of Israel. A story of a small settlement, which was comprised of 300 residents at the end of the War of Independence 1948, and today Raanana boasts approximately 70,000 residents.

Baruch Ostrovsky, the first mayor of Raanana (or Ra'anana), was the son of Diane and Shochat, born into a Hassidic family connected to the Rabbi of Telda. Baruch arrived in Israel in 1921, worked as teacher in Rehovot and Petach Tikva. A year later, moved to the USA, where he joined the "Poalei Zion" movement and served as head of the "Arbeiter Ring" schools network.

He was one of the founders of Raanana's Ahuza Alef New York Association, who intended to settle in the Land of Israel. In 1930, was sent as a representative of the orchard-growers of the Ahuza Alef - New York Association and lived with his family in Raanana (or Ra'anana). Chosen in 1931 as President of the settlement's Council, and with the declaration of Raanana as a Local Council in 1936, he was chosen as Council Head and was reelected a further time. He served as Council Head from 1936-1955 and again 1957-1959.

Served as Head of the settlement's Council and the Raanana (Ra'anana) Local Authority for 29 years, during which time the population grew, institutions were built and many roads paved.

Michael Paswigs, who was born in Vienna, Austria in 1916, studied in Vienna. He was member of the leadership of Gordonia and the Pioneer Center. Was involved with the youth and training organizations. On making Aliya in 1939, he founded a group of ex-Viennese immigrants, who joined the Avoka group in the Beit Shean valley.

In 1948, Paswigs moved to Raanana (Ra'anana), Israel and served as secretary of the local branch of the Workers Council. In 1954, he attended advanced courses in Economics in England and, in 1957, was appointed head of the overseas commercial unit in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In 1961, served as deputy head of the Israeli delegation in Germany. From 1965, served as head of Yakhin and chairman of its board of directors.

While serving as secretary of the local branch of the Workers Council, Paswigs established the Histadrut building on the Raanana settlement. As Head of the Council, he was primarily involved with creating employment opportunities for the local population and new immigrants. Initiated the establishment of the first industrial factories on the settlement. Twice chosen as Head of the Raanana Council, between the years 1955-1957 and 1959-1960.

Yitzhak Skolnick, who was born in Russia in 1908, was member of a Zionist youth movement and was involved in the Zionist underground in the city of his birth. Made aliya in 1928, and worked in agriculture in Degania. Moved to Raanana at the end of 1928. Established a farm and was active on behalf of the working population in the settlement. In World War 2, enlisted in the British Army, serving for 6 years. In 1959, chosen as member of the Raanana Local Council and , after one year, was elected as its Head. He remained in this capacity, until he retired in November 1969. Continued as a member of the Raanana council, retiring from there in September 1971.

While serving as Head of the Raanana (Ra'anana) Council, the program to develop the Raanana (Ra'anana) settlement and absorb large numbers of residents was approved. Many industrial buildings were constructed and the foundations for the industrial area were laid. The neighborhood of Kiryat Sharett was also established for 1200 families, many of whom were new immigrants. During this period, regional institutions were established, Raanana's central water and sewage authorities were expanded, lighting was installed along Ahuza Street and the financial situation of the Council improved.

Benjamin Wolfovitch, who was born in Novogrodeck, White Russia in 1923, received a traditional education in Hadar, where he learned Hebrew. He continued his studies in Polish and Russian high schools. Wolfovitch was incarcerated in Nazi concentration camps during World War 2. In the winter of 1946, he came to Israel on the immigrant ship Moledet, that was captured close to the shores of Israel. Wolfovitch was deported to Cyprus and in January 1949, arrived in Israel to live in Hirbat Azon, where he was selected head of the village after a short time.

In early 1950, he began to work in the Workers' Association as secretary of the professional association. In 1963, he was elected secretary of the Workers's Union. In 1968, he was appointed as secretary of the Foreign Investors Association in the Agricultural Center. Wolfovitch served as Head of the Raanana City Council from 1969-1989.

Ra'anana's former Mayor Zeev Bielski

During his tenure, the number of residents doubled and Raanana (Ra'anana) was declared a city and the Absorption Center, Sports Center in Kiryat Sharett, Yad Labanim, the Country Club, the Bowls and Squash Club and many educational buildings were constructed.

Benjamin Wolfovitch serves as Chair of the Association for Senior Citizens in Raanana and devotes his time and efforts for the elderly citizens of the city.

Today, 80 years later, Raanana (Ra'anana) is a thriving city in the heart of Israel's Sharon region, stretching over 14,928 dunams. A young and educated city, most of Raanana's residents are native Israelis living alongside many immigrants from all over the world, many of whom come from English speaking countries.

Raanana (Ra'anana) is proud of its many achievements in all areas of life, and is one of the most popular cities in Israel. The former mayor, Ze'ev Bielski, is now the head of the Jewish Agency for Israel. The current mayor, Nahum Hofree, was elected on August 2005.

Ra'anana (Raanana) that preserves its history, its village-like atmosphere and its attributes as a city of and for the residents, along with being characterized by the dynamic growth of the 21st century.

Raanana, Israel has seen marked growth in its development, the construction of new neighborhoods with sophisticated and modern community centers and public institutions, a thriving Hi-tech Park, but at the same time, the number of open public areas, parks and gardens for the enjoyment of its residents, children and youth has grown significantly.

Raanana, which has already won many awards for its activities, promoting environmental quality and quality of life, as well as the high level of its city infrastructure. Raanana (Ra'anana) continues to take scrupulous care of its environment and to invest in the improvement of its resident's quality of life, in the spirit of the international standard ISO-9002, which was awarded to the city on behalf of the Israeli Standards Institute.

Ra'anana's Child Welfare Department has recently been criticized for practicing gender bias discrimination against divorced fathers which has become the subject of many stories appearing in both the Israel and international media . According to Israel child psychologist Sara Silber, the child welfare department of Ra'anana has "not been responsive to citizens needs" and has been responsible for perpetuating archaic child custody laws (Knesset Child Custody Law of 1962). Silber has met with Ra'anana Mayor Hofree and provided a comprehensive plan for restructuring Ra'anana's Child Welfare Department. Both Ra'anana (Raanana) Mayor Hofree and the new head of Ra'anana's (Raanana's) child welfare department are examining the issue.

Other issues which have recently called for the attention of Ra'anana (Raanana) Mayor Hofree and the city council are water quality, the zoning out of tall rise commercial buildings and earthquake infrastructure preventive measures for Ra'anana (Raanana) many residential and commercial buildings.

With copy and graphics from the City of Raanana Official Web site

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