Aliyah & Living in Raanana
Demographics
Thinking about living or visiting Raanana? The commuter town of Raanana lies in the central district of Israel, in the heart of the Sharon plain, to the north east of Tel Aviv. With close to 80,000 residents, Raanana has a mixed population of English speakers, South- and Latin-Americans, French, Russian and Hebrew speakers. Raanana has a fairly large religious Jewish population.
The industrial area, comprising mainly hi-tech companies, (Kiryat Etgarim) is at the northern entrance to the city. Microsoft’s head office, Amdocs, Hewlett Packard and Texas Instruments are all represented in Raanana.
Layout
Raanana is rectangular in shape. Ahuza Street, is the main road and divides the town into 2 almost equal halves. Ahuza Street is similar to the “high-street” in England. With lots of shops, eateries, wide sidewalks and flat terrain, it is easy to amble along.
The traffic lights in Ahuza Street are numbered, from 1 to 15, from the South Raanana Junction all the way down to Rechov Yerushalayim – it is easy to find your way, just turn at left at traffic light number 4 or right at number 7.
Weizmann Street begins at the Raanana North Junction and runs parallel to Ahuza Street. The traffic lights on Weizmann are also numbered, from 1 to 8, in the same way as those on Ahuza. The Street runs east-west and takes you from the industrial zone, the hi-tech center through the residential area to the new development - Lev Hapark. A new suburb called “2005” was recently developed on the east side.
Mostly the nightlife revolves around the pubs in the industrial zone, the restaurants and eateries on Ahuza and the cinemas in the Renanim and The Park, shopping malls.
Population
Raanana tends to attract families. While there are a lot of facilities and entertainment options for singles, many move to Tel Aviv, about 15km away, where they can enjoy the night-life and social scene. Entertainment in Tel Aviv is generally more expensive.
Click here for a street map of Raanana
Why so many choose Raanana
- High standard of living
- Large concentration of English speakers
- High level of education & special attention to new immigrants
- Many cultural and social activities aimed at new immigrants
- Sports and leisure facilities
- Centrally located, 25 minutes from Tel Aviv
- Many employment opportunities in the area, including the Kiryat Etgarim business park - an important hi-tech center.
- A wide choice of synagogues, some specifically geared to the new immigrant population.
- The popular Raanana Absorption Center and Ulpan
- Aliyah support before and during the absorption process
- Large community of supportive veteran immigrants
- Offices of ESRA (English-speaking), TELFED (South Africa), OLEI (Latin America), UNIFAN (France). The AACI (US and Canada) office is now in Tel Aviv,
Property in Raanana
Property in Raanana is known to be expensive.
Purchase prices are approximately as follows:
3 bedroom Apartment can cost around - US$ 300,000
4 bedroom Apartment can cost around - US$ 400,000
5 bedroom Apartment can cost around - US$ 500,000
Approximate rental prices per month are:
3 bedroom Apartment can cost around - US$ 1,000
4 bedroom Apartment can cost around - US$ 1,250
5 bedroom Apartment can cost around - US$ 1,500
Employment
Check out our Job Board for job listings in the Raanana area.
Education
Raanana has 12 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and 8 high-schools. The education level in Raanana is considered to be one of Israel's highest. It also has special educational frameworks for gifted students and for students with different disabilities. Raanana also had schools with a unique educational ideology; religious pluralistic schools and a democratic school.
Education is a top priority in Raanana . According to the Raanana Municipality, the city spends around a third of the municipal budget on all aspects of education. According to statistics from the Ministry of Education, Raanana is ranked in first place in the Sharon region and second nationally in the number of high school graduates.
Some of Raanana's High Schools encourage the study of technology and science and programs for gifted children.
Middle school students can study in various fields; cinema, television; drama and theater; plastic arts; music; dance, science; sports etc.
A zero-tolerance policy has been implemented for bullying and physical and verbal violence. Encouraging volunteer activities is a high priority of the Education Department. Many afternoon programs are also available in the town.
Higher education: The Open University and the Raanana College attract students and academics from the entire country.
More on education in Israel.
Eating Out in Raanana
Many of Raanana’s eateries and restaurants are Kosher, mostly under the supervision of the local Rabbinate. Salad bars and coffee shops, sushi, patisserie, Middle Eastern, falafel, hummous and schwarma are just part of the wide selection of eateries to be found in Raanana
The Felafel Shop on Ahuza Street does an interesting twist on the regular felafel. Aside from traditional felafel, they offer a Mexican felafel and a Mediterranean felafel. Chilli and a sweet-corn sauce gives in the Mexican felafel its flavor. Pesto, goats cheese and eggplant are the extra accompaniments to the Mediteranean felafel.
The Hummous Bar, also on Ahuza, has been rated by some as having the best hummous in town. The hummous is fresh and made daily.
Top Tips
- Both have outside seating
- Both are kosher.
"Makom BeLev" (A place in my heart) located at Pardes MeShutaf 5, Raanana is a tranquil, cottage and rustic-style restaurant. Whether you order their buffet or from their a-la-carte menu, the food is wholesome and the flavors are interesting.
There are plenty of tables inside or you can choose to sit in their stunning country-garden. The seating is calm and peaceful - you can find a quiet, isolated spot next to a pond, under a tree or, if you prefer, you can dine on the main patio too.
Big portions and value for money! The restaurant is not kosher.
More on Eating Out
Places of Interest
Museums
Gallery by the Lake is located at 10 Hapark Street
Opening Hours:
- Sundays-Thursdays 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:00
- Fridays from 10:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 22:00;
- Saturdays: 19:00 – 21:00.
Lev Hapark Community Center is located at 3 Yair Stern Street
Opening Hours:
- Sundays to Fridays 10:00 to 13:00,
- Mondays to Thursdays 16:00 to 21:00.
Free Stuff
Probably Raanana’s most famous landmark is “The Park”. This very large public park, the largest green area in the Sharon region, is surrounded by tranquil suburbs and a small commercial center. (points 8 and 9 on the Raanana map)
Reasons for going
- The Park has walking and biking trails
- A biblical “Seven Species” garden
- The Founder’s Museum,
- Free shows in the amphitheater in the summer
- A zoo and a petting corner
- Playground equipment for the kids
- Plenty of parking
Top TIps
- Take a packed lunch, have a picnic and enjoy watching the swans on the lake
- There is a small entrance fee for non-resident visitors to the park on weekends, holidays and school vacations
Raanana's Traditional Adloyada Purim Parade
The Raanana Purim parade, held along the main street – Ahuza, has been held annually for over 20 years. It is a creative community project that includes various art fields and contributions by students, parents and teachers. Great costumes and floats!
More details on the parade can be found on the Raanana Municipality's website.
Sports
The Raanana Marathon
The Raanana marathon is Israel's largest marathon. It is an annual event that attracts some 10,000 participants country wide. The event comprises of a 10km marathon, a 3km marathon and a 10km hand bicycle marathon for the disabled. The route changes from time to time and currently includes Rechov Ahuza as well.
Top tips
- Information on, and registration for the marathon can be done on the Raanana Municipality's website.
Lawn Bowls
You may hear someone saying, "The grass is running" or "we need a wood on the head". He is not talking nonsense! If you hear this conversation then you are probably at the Raanana Lawn Bowls Club. Lawn Bowlers consider it to be a game of extreme skill, strategy and self-control. You can contact them to become a member or find out more about this game, fees, and the tournaments enjoyed by so many English speakers.
Squash
If you prefer a more active sport then Raanana Squash Courts are for you. Recently renovated, there are now 8 quash courts open to the public.
Top tips
- The annual Israel squash championship is held here
- Classes are held for those that want to learn the game
For Kids
Sadly, Ra'anana isn't really a hive of activity for kids. Aside from The Park and some small municipal parks scattered around the town, there are not many activities for children. The Ya'ar Hakasum (Magic Forest) in the Renanim Mall is a fantasy indoor "playground" where they do expensive kids birthday parties.
Shopping in Raanana
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Renanim Mall
Renanim Mall in the industrial area, is the main shopping mall in Raanana It is a typical Israeli mall with 2 floors of the usual chain clothing stores – Zara, Fox, Crazy Line etc. An area is also allocated to designer and more exclusive stores; clothing, shoes and lingerie – Nine West, Dorin Frankfurt, Rocket Dog, Naturalizer and other Israeli designers.
There are 7 movie theaters and VIP theater service is also available here., The Mashbir department store, a supermarket and Office Depot can all be found in the mall. There is also a gym and a ten-pin bowling alley in the mall.
All 3 major cellphone companies and a bank are located in the mall
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Location: 2 Hamelecha Street
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:00 - 22:00
Friday: 09:00 - 16:00
Saturday night: 21:00 - 23:00
Top Tips
- Plenty of covered parking
- Avoid Fridays if possible
- Special parking areas allocated to moms with prams and of course the disabled
- Easily accessible by bus
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The Park Mall
The Park Mall – across the way from Raanana's famous park - “The Park” - there is a small, suburban shopping mall.
Reasons for going
- pharmacy
- movie houses
- eateries and a Tiv Taam supermarket.
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Ahuza Street is the hub of shopping in Raanana and has a wide selection of stores - from designer to “dollar shops” as well as a large selection of eateries – coffee shops, restaurants and supermarkets.
Favorite shops on Ahuza Street
"Big Deal" has an ever changing selection of merchandise. Large batches of goods are sold at discounted prices. They have an excellent selection of accessories for “scrapbooking” and arts-and-crafts and lots of high quality disposable crockery and cutlery.
Meatland specializes in "food from back home" – Oreos, chutney, Tate & Lyles, biltong, boerewors and many more. They have a catering service and you can buy fresh and frozen prepared foods too.
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More on Shopping in Israel
Medical
The Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, located at 59 Tchernichovsky Street, is the main medical center of the Sharon and Shomron area, serving some 600,000 people. The Meir Medical Center has around 700 beds. Originally a tuberculosis hospital it now operates as a regular hospital under the Kupat Holim Klalit Health Fund. The hospital is affiliated to School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University with Bar Ilan University.
Telephone Numbers
- Hospital Switchboard 09-7472555
- Emergency Information 1255199
A full list of departmental telephone numbers, in English, at the Meir Medical Center:
Getting to the Meir Medical Center:
Egged Bus Routes fares and timetables:
- Line 32 from Ra'anana, Herzliya and Ramat Hasharon.
- Lines 2,2A,17,15,14,13,5,92,19 in Kfar Saba.
- Lines *561 *567,*572 from Tel Aviv.
- Line *029 from Raanana , Herzliya and Ramat Hasharon.
- Line **641 from Netanya.
- Line 640 from Netanya (runs partially during the day. Call Egged for details).
* Runs to the corner of Weitzman and Tchernichovsky streets, only some 100 meters from the hospital.
** Runs to the Raanana central bus station – at the Raanana -Kfar Saba south intersection.
Dan Bus routes, fares and timetables:
- Lines *149, *247, **47 – from Tel Aviv.
- Lines *81, *83 from Sharon villages.
* Runs to the corner of Weitzman and Tchernichovsky streets, only some 100 meters from the hospital.
** Runs to the Raanana central bus station – at the Raanana -Kfar Saba south intersection.
Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital (pronounced Levenstein) is the only rehabilitation hospital which belongs to the Clalit Health Services and can accommodate 240 patients for short and long term care.
As a national rehabilitative center, patients are admitted from all parts of the country, and from all the health funds, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, general hospitals and clinics in the community and abroad. The center treats amongst others, accident victims, trauma patients, neurological injuries and terror victims.
We found their English website slow and not very detailed. Their directory of various departments, in English, is still under construction and can only be found on the Hebrew site
Contact details:
- Tel: 09-770 9090
- Address: Ahuza Street 278
More on Medical & Healthcare in Israel
Public Transport in Raanana
Of the many routes connecting Raanana to the rest of the country, the Egged bus service in Raanana has a few very convenient internal bus routes:
- Bus route No. 4 is a circular route commencing at the Raanana country club. It works its way from there to the Renanim Mall, Rechov Borochov along Ahuza and then back again to the country club.
- Bus No. 25 goes from Raanana to the Herzliya Beach in the summer
- Bus No. 29 goes through Kfar Saba, Raanana and Herzliya
More on Transport in Israel
Other Aliyah Destinations
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