Type of Community: City

Region: Modi’in

Religious Percent: 20

English Speaking Percent: 10

Before 1996, Modi’in existed only in the dreams of its government promoters and the imagination of its designer, famed architect Moshe Safdi. This fact is remarkable, considering that Modi’in now has over 80,000 residents.
While planned as a primarily secular city, Modi’in’s residents are as diverse as you would expect to find in any city of its size; although the population of Anglos is a bit less so. The vast majority of the Anglo residents are professionals: doctors, lawyers, business people, hi-tech workers, educators, and accountants who are Orthodox.

Modi’in’s central location and accessibility to public transportation enables residents to travel to their jobs throughout the center and south of Israel. When asked what brings them to Modi’in, residents almost always mention the high level of integration between the city’s religious and secular residents, native Israelis and Olim, and the various generations, in addition to the city’s central location. They describe Modi’in as an excellent place for “city-livers,” people who like to have everything they need nearby, but want more space for their money.

The fact that Modi’in already has a sizable and active community of North American Olim has made it one of the premier destinations for new Olim in recent years.

Local Employment
More larger companies are moving into the area, so each year more employmnet opportunities open up locally.

Accessibility to Employment

Education / Youth
Modi’in recognizes the importance of committing resources toward the education of its youngest residents. It has experienced exponential growth in the past 7 years, and its investment in the educational system is to keep pace with the rate of growth.

There are numerous early childcare and gan options available throughout the city. The range of options mirrors the diversity of the city. There are religious and secular Ganim, in addition to those run by the Reform and Conservative groups. All public religious schools offers both religious and secular studies.
School registration is based on catchment area – very important to check with Absorption Department members if the apartment you are renting lies within the catchment area of the school that you want.

There are more elementary school options for parents who want to send their children to a government (non-religious) school. Each neighborhood has its own school, and several of them focus on particular areas of study.

Modi’in also has its very own Tali school, affiliated with the Conservative Movement, as well as the sought after Yachad pluralistic school.

Modi’in has a variety of options for older children. Within the city, there are three non-religious high schools, and one religious high school each for girls and boys.

Both secular, traditional (Noam) and religious youth groups are active throughout the city.

Transportation
Estimates are that half of Modi’in’s residents commute to work in Tel Aviv and the other half to Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, and a few other locations. Modi’in now has two train stations which allow residents a hassle-free 20-minute commute to Tel Aviv and neighboring areas. the city is located 25 km from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 94 km from Be’er Sheva, and 12 km from Beit Shemesh. It is difficult for families live in Modi’in without a car.

Not only does it have a good inter-city transportation system, but Modiin also has an intra-city bus service. In addition, several taxi services operate locally.

Olim Services
Modi’in is among the top destinations for Olim from North America. Fellow Anglos provide new arrivals with a warm welcome to the community. Most services that Olim need can be accessed in Modi’in or nearby.

There is a branch of the Ministry of Interior located in the city, and the Ministry of Absorption is in the city one day a week.

Ulpanim on a variety of levels can be found in Modi’in, although someone needing a more advanced class will need to travel to Tel Aviv, Chashmonaim, or Jerusalem.

In the afternoon there is a limudia, enrichment program for children in grades 1-12 to help with Hebrew and homework. There is a morning ulpan for the children, free of charge.

7-11 graders travel to the Baka teen ulpan.

There are organized pilot tours the first and third Monday of every month. Please contact Cherie or Joanna directly to book.

Amenities / Services
In terms of shopping, Modi’in has everything. Residents do not have to leave their city to shop for food, furniture, toys, clothing, household goods, books, religious articles… anything. Just look at the list of businesses included on the m-net website (http://www.m-net.co.il/english/local/biz_list.html)!

The city has a bowling alley, two movie theatres and plenty of cultural programming. The city’s cultural department works hard to bring in films, theater, and musical groups.

In Modi’in and the neighboring area there are about 50 restaurants, including upscale sit-down style, fast food, and cafes. Many are kosher, some are not.

Banks Leumi, Mizrachi, and HaPoalim all have branches in Modi’in. All Kupot Holim (health-care providers) have clinics in Modi’in and physicians in virtually all specialty areas see patients in the city. Modi’in also has a branch of Terem, a center for emergency medical care. When a hospital is needed, residents generally travel to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Ramle.

Community and Religious Life
Modi’in’s residents emphasize that for a city, Modi’in has true community feeling. There is an active community support network, and a range of opportunities for community involvement.

Much of the social life revolves around the many synagogues that are located throughout the city. The Orthodox synagogues come in all varieties, including Ashkenazi, Sefaradi, and Yemenite. There is also an active Conservative congregation called Yedid Nefesh as well as a Reform congregation called Yozma. They are boht popular among Anglo residents.

Modi’in’s two Chief Rabbis and other teachers who live in the city offer a variety of Torah classes to city residents throughout the week and on Shabbat. In addition, the Emunah organization sponsors a Beit Midrash learning program for women in the mornings.

The hesder yeshiva is very involved in community life.

Modi’in has an active community center, and a brand new cultural center, which offers a wide range of events.

Modi’in has a well-developed and well-funded public library system. English and Hebrew books can be borrowed from school libraries and at the library’s main branch.

Real Estate
Rentals genrally go for 1000 NIS/month a room. It is rare to find a 1 bedroom (2 room) apartment.

3 bedroom apartments (4 room)are around 1 million shekels to purchase

Cottages (5 bedrooms with a garden) on average go between 1.8-2.5 million shekels.

Neighborhoods
Shvatim (N. Buchman), Moriah (S.Buchman), Masuah(Givat C), Haniviim & Hamaginim (Shimshoni), Avnei Chen(Kaiser), Nachalim(Malibu & Emek Hachula), Hakramim-just being finished (Tzipor)are popular amongst the English speaking residents.

Source: Nefesh B’Nefesh

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