Location and Population
Ma’aleh Adumim is located seven kilometers west of Jerusalem, in the hills of the Judean Desert, on the Jerusalem Dead Sea road.   Translated as Red Heights, it was named for the renowned red colored rock formations, on the road winding up from Jericho towards Jerusalem, as mentioned in the biblical narratives of Joshua.  Established in 1977 as a strategic location fostering Jerusalem’s defense, it became a recognized city in 1991, the first in the West Bank.  Today its population includes 32,000 residents with plans to reach an estimated 50,000.  Offering the social diversity of the city, Ma’aleh Adumim nonetheless maintains a camaraderie of neighborhood connection, synagogue affiliation and a general sense of community involvement.  There is a high percentage of veteran immigrants and the new immigrant can easily find his place among the existing communities of English, Russian, French and Spanish speakers as well as Israelis, eager to welcome newcomers.

Education
As the youngest city in Israel, 48% of Ma’aleh Adumim’s population is under the age of 18, therefore, a major percentage of the municipality’s resources are geared towards education.  Twice, Ma’aleh Adumim has won the Ministry of Education Prize for Excellence.  The educational frameworks include options from preschool to college, numerous day –care facilities and almost forty kindergartens.  Elementary and high schools, as well as kindergartens, offer secular, religious and Torani alternatives with large, modern facilities and high parental involvement. Additional facilities include the Birkat Moshe Hesder Yeshiva which serves as a learning and spiritual center, the Ma’aleh Adumim College with a student body of over 600 and the newly opened Technological College for Space and Aeronautics.   There is also an extensive network of after- school hours, enrichment, clubs, youth groups, workshops and extra -curricular activities.

Housing and Development
With an abundance of playgrounds and parks, out door sculptures, broad boulevards, a network of pedestrian walkways and foot-paths, landscaping and exceptionally clean, attractive streets, Ma’aleh Adumim is fulfilling its goal of offering a high quality of life to her residents.   The building and types of housing is varied, from apartment buildings with two or three room apartments to individually planned villas and everything in between. They are designed with the common goal of ecological sensitivity to the topography and an emphasis on homes facing the views and public green areas. There are many housing options, (generally with prices lower here then in Jerusalem) from rental to purchase of both new and second- hand apartments and cottages.  Rental of a three-room apartment is available for $400 -$500.  Many new projects are under construction with prices for purchase ranging from $110,000-130,000 for a three-room apartment. $130,000-150,000 for four-rooms and $150,000- 170,000 for a five-room apartment.

Culture and Sport
The local community center, offers extensive possibilities for entertainment and culture. It boasts an impressive array of activities for all ages, concerts and shows, street fairs, an indoor and outdoor pool, a conservatorium and exceptional music program, a children’s petting zoo and a large library.  Sport is emphasized and the city boasts many teams and leagues, as well as tennis and basketball courts. Additional local activities take place in individual neighborhoods.

Health and Services
The city provides services and clinics for all four health funds, an emergency care service, ambulance service, dentists and alternative medical care. Offering just about everything a city can offer but on a smaller scale, most residents are able to meet 95% of their daily needs within the city’s parameters.  Municipal offices within the city provide a variety of services and representatives of Government offices maintain extension services in the city to Ma’aleh Adumim residents. Intra city transportation, delivery service of local markets and frequent buses to Jerusalem, make local errands and daily travel easy tasks.

Employment Opportunities
The majority of the population commutes the short distance to Jerusalem daily, (some also to Tel Aviv). However, as the industrial center of Mishor Adumim, located three kilometers west of the residential area develops, employment options increase.  One of the largest industrial areas in the country, Mishor Adumim is defined as a developmental area A and additionally benefits from governmental preference and incentives. There are over a hundred factories of assorted industry and thousands of people are employed there. The short distance to the Hadassah Hospital and The Hebrew University on Mount Scopus make Ma’aleh Adumim an attractive location for those working there.  The many educational institutions and municipal services as well as commercial initiatives and the developing cultural and tourist options add additional possibilities.

Absorption Assistance
The city of Ma’aleh Adumim is part of the new Communal Aliyah Absorption Project – Better Together – Aliyah V’Klita Kehilatit.  This pilot program is designed to provide the new oleh with a supportive framework, professional guidance and financial assistance in all aspects of immigration and absorption. Benefits provided by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, the Jewish Agency and the Ma’aleh Adumim Municipality to project participants include:

• A professional project coordinator who will assist project participants in all aspects of their absorption during the first year.
• Initial temporary housing for a two-week period at a local apartment or Jewish Agency Absorption Center at no cost.
• In addition to the regular Ulpan Aleph (Initial Ulpan), further ulpan hours will be offered to program participants. 
• Students will receive subsistence allowance if studies take place during morning hours.
• Job search assistance.
• Assistance in finding suitable housing.
• Financial rental assistance for housing for the first six months.
• Special assistance for employment training or retraining for a period of two years from aliyah.
• Subsidy for private business initiatives.
• Special assistance for olim children in the school framework including tutoring and Hebrew lessons.
• Municipally arranged social and cultural activities, which include lectures, trips, educational seminars and programs.
• English-speaking host families to assist in the absorption process.
  Additional local discounts for special programs or activities.
• Reduction in the Arnona Municipal Tax for the first year.

For additional information please contact:

Israel
Gidon Ariel
Tel: 02-5901668, gidon.ariel@gmail.com

North America
Gila Gurevich - Communal Absorption Program – Director
gilag@jafi.org     (P) 212-339-6951   (F) 212-318-6134