Type of Community: City

Region: Binyamin

Religious Percent: 33

English Speaking Percent: 5

Ma’aleh Adumim has all the advantages of a city: an enclosed mall and strip-mall, a municipal government center, intra-city transportation, a large library, health services and more. Maale Adummim is clean and pleasant, surrounded by palm trees and a breathtaking desert view, and is only 20 minutes from downtown Jerusalem.

The municipality is committed to maintaining a high quality of life, and looking around Ma’aleh Adumim, it is clear that this residential city offers all the services of a mid-sized city while its primary purpose is to provide a warm and comfortable home for its residents.

Local Employment
Most residents work in the Jerusalem area, some work in Ma’aleh Adumim. The city’s numerous educational institutions and its commercial district, Mishor Adumim, provide opportunities for employment.

Some residents commute to Tel Aviv, or other nearby commercial centers.

Education / Youth
There are numerous day care programs, and no fewer than 39 different ganim (nurseries) spread throughout the city. Primary education is provided by state schools, two state religious schools, and one semi-private religious school. All secular public schools also have the Tali Judaic enrichment track.

There are a variety of options for jr high school and high school students. Among the secular options are: a large secular academic jr/high school, a brand new high school for space and aeronautics which feeds into the air-force, and a smaller Branco-Weiss school for learning and behaviorally challenged students who need smaller classes and additional support. Religious boys have 2 options; a state religious jr/high school and the Yeshiva High School, while the religious girls have 2 options as well; a state religious high school and the Ulpana Tzvia. About 10% of high school aged students study in Jerusalem at more specialized programs.

Ma’aleh Adumim has a well-developed program for children with special needs. Schools have both special education tracks and inclusion programs. In addition, there is an afternoon therapeutic program specifically for children with special needs. Ma’aleh Adumim has active Bnei Akiva, Ezra, and Tzofim (scouts) chapters that figure prominently into the lives of the city’s young people.

State, religious and Torani pre-schools are available in almost every neighborhood.

Transportation
There are several inter-city buses to and from Jerusalem which also provide inner city routes within Maale Adumim. There is a complex network of foot-paths,bridges and underground tunnels for pedestrians. There are buses to Jerusalem from the town center every 10-15 minutes. There are 2 early morning buses which travel from Maale Adumim directly to Tel-Aviv; a service provided for those residents working in the Tel Aviv-coastal region.

Many of Maaleh Adumim’s residents manage just fine without a car.

Olim Services
Absorption into the community is facilitated informally by neighborhood residents. There is an olim welcome committee in Klei Shir and Mitzpe Nevo which organizes special events in the neighborhood. Ma’aleh Adumim runs ulpan programs in the city; for those who need a level not offered in the city, they travel to nearby Jerusalem to study.

Some government agencies have offices in Maale Adumim, while representatives from others come to the community for public reception hours.

Amenities / Services
Ma’aleh Adumim’s Matnas (JCC) offers dozens of activities for all ages, such as: sports, concerts,music, dance, shows, 4 swimming pools and an outstanding music program. There are also tennis and basketball courts and soccer fields.

The local library has a large collection of English books for children and adults. There is an English book club for adults.
There is an active club for retirees (55+) which offers a multitude of social activities, some are in English.

The supermarkets, minimarkets and restaurants provide delivery service.

Community and Religious Life
The city has a mixed religious/secular population. There are over 40 Ashkenazi and Sefaradi synagogues, 4 mikvaot, a Hesder yeshiva, kollel, and learning opportunities for men and women. Religious life in Ma’aleh Adumum largely revolves around the synagogues spread throughout the various neighborhoods. Yishivat Birkat Moshe, a Religious-Zionist Hesder yeshiva, also serves as a spiritual center for the city, and its teachers and advanced students offer classes for the larger community.

Two synagogues in particular, Mitzpeh Nevo in the Mitzpeh Nevo neighborhood and Musar Avicha in the Klei Shir neighborhood, have a significant number of Anglos. There is also the Carlebach minyan, and a strong Conservative chavura.

Real Estate
Rental for 3 bedroom-starts at $900
Rental for 4 bedroom-starts at $1100

Buying 3 bedroom apt- starts at $225,000
Buying cottage(semi-detached home)- starts at $350,000

Neighborhoods
There are 7 neighborhhods in Maale Adumim, three having a more significant Anglo presence. Mitzpe Nevo is the largest with 35% English speakers, and then Klei Shiur and Mitzadim.

The newer neighborhoods of Nofei HaSelah (07) have a small growing English speaking population ( about 30-40 families)

Source: Nefesh B’Nefesh

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