Working miracles with English-speaking olim
WHEN THE residents of Modi’in k i n d l e their chan u c i o t , there is an element of built-in pride etched into the spiritual act, as these modern Jews celebrate the holiday in the actual place where the ancient Maccabees lived. Here, the Hasmoneans, as they are also known, spurred the religious revolution that ousted the Assyrian Greeks from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, nearly 2,200 years ago.
While ancient Modiin was no more than a simple plateau village between the beautiful Jerusalem mountains and the lush coastal plain, modernday Modi’in is a fast-rising city of over 100,000 residents, where the first entrants to its introductory aliyah programme graduated in 1996. It is also home to a mushrooming Anglo population, drawn to Modi’in’s architectural beauty, superior education and “city in the countryside” lifestyle.
“More than 11,500 new immigrants, many from English-speaking countries, live In Modi’in. Among them are more than 700 British olim,” says Chaim Bibas, the town’s mayor. “We have invested much effort in attracting Anglos to Modi’in, focusing on our superior education and pluralistic environment, as well as first-class community services.
“The Anglo community in Modi’in has had an extremely positive impact on the city, from boosting real-estate development, as well as the local and international job market. Many Anglo residents are able to run their overseas business operations from Israel, while others are engaged in actually opening branch offices in the area. It’s a win-win situation business-wise for Modi’in and the Anglos, who have done a tremendous job in creating a sense of community in the neighbourhoods they live in.
“Just as the Hasmoneans built a sense of community in ancient Modi’in circa 167 BCE, we are inspired to commemorate their efforts with annual Chanucah communal celebrations, featuring the lighting of the candles on the site of the ancient Hasmonean synagogue, next to the Buchman neighbourhood, where both Israelis and many Anglo olim live in harmony.”
Cherie Albucher is an ex-South African Modi’in resident and former project coordinator and aliyah consultant for the municipality, who worked closely with Mayor Bibas. She adds: “Modi’in offers a sense of community and opportunity. In the past 10 years, Modi’in has participated in the Ministry of Absorption’s communal aliyah programme, which offered Anglos extra benefits and support for making aliyah to Modi’in. They received services in English, assistance in school for their children, social and cultural activities in English and more. This has enabled Anglos to integrate easily and they have even imported their own cultural activities to the Israeli community, such as cricket, netball and baseball. Modi’in’s infrastructure is all modern and one senses the feeling of living in a green environment while enjoying a high quality of life. Parks, shops, a lake, historical sites are all an integral part of this futuristic city.”
Whether you are interested in making aliyah or just want to experience the city where the Chanucah story originated, here are some fun things to do in the forthcoming holiday. PARK ANABA The Central Park of Modiin, where you can cycle along a historic trail and the lake, as well as enjoying a picnic with the family. HASMONEAN VILLAGE Visitors can tour the Hasmonean-era setting in Shilat, with English explanations, plus activities for children. It is a popular bar/batmitzvah venue for Anglos in summer.
The Anglos have even imported cricket to the city’
GRAVES OF THE MACCABEES On Road 443, just outside Modi’in near its northern side, you can walk along a dirt track trail to a site marked as the grave of the Maccabees. SUFGANIYOT The Modi’in Azrieli Mall has an array of coffee bistros, all competing to serve the most scrumptious Israeli doughnuts in flavours heretofore unknown in the UK, including ones injected with liqueur.