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Nov. 30, 2007
The revival of Modi'in
Maccabean glory is reflected in new construction.
RHONDA SPIVAK
As Chanukah approaches this year, the modern Israeli city of Modi'in celebrates its 10th anniversary, and appears to be undergoing a significant development boom, with rising real estate prices.
The modern city is built very near the site of ancient Modi'in, where the Maccabees, the heroes of the Chanukah story, lived and first began their revolt against the Greeks. The tombs of the Maccabees can be found here.
When the modern city was originally built, it was known as a place that delivered a high standard of living for bargain prices. It was an affordable option for young families who moved from Lod or Ramle and Jerusalem, but the bargain prices have been disappearing.
The city, which today houses 70,000 people, was planned by world-renown Israeli, Canadian and American Jewish architect Moshe Safdie and is expected to expand to accommodate 120,000. But even this expansion may not be enough to meet the current demand.
One of the most attractive aspects of Modi'in is that large green spaces were incorporated into the city's layout and comprise 50 per cent of the area within the city limits. Because of the parks and greenery, the city has more of a suburban than an urban feel to it. The population is diverse, consisting of secular and religious, Israeli and anglo.
Soaring real estate prices are partly due to an increase in Modi'in's popularity. "It is hard for newcomers to find a place to rent here right now and I don't see that changing," said Shulamit Klein, a modern Orthodox Jew of American origin who moved to Modi'in two years ago.
One possible reason for the city's increased popularity is the new train, which began running in September 2007. The 20-minute train ride connects Modi'in to the heart of Tel-Aviv, making it relatively easy for residents to access Israel's cosmopolitan city and commute to work.
Klein and her husband, Jonny, have just purchased a $250,000 four-bedroom apartment in Dimri Towers, which advertises itself as the "'Ramat Aviv of Modi'in.' It is one of the last large apartments left," she said.
Dimri Towers were largely bought out by South African olim when the apartments were relatively cheap. Designed by Safdie, the complex comprises nine luxurious residential high-rise buildings connected to each other by archways built in the style of an ancient Roman aqueduct.
"Our apartment is going to look out onto the new mall developed by David Azrielli, which is slated to open up this spring," said Klein. "Everything we need will be right here. We won't have to go to Azrielli [shopping centre] in Tel-Aviv," she said.
She is a little worried that her family might get street noise once the mall is built, "but it's hard to avoid street noise in Israel," she said.
"Not too long ago, the apartment we just bought would have been priced at 200,000 not 250,000, but prices have been rising here, and we think this is one of the nicer projects in Modi'in, said her husband, a modern Orthodox Jew who immigrated to Israel from England. "There is no point in waiting, as prices are only going to go up, not down, especially once the Azrielli mall is built," he said.
Another American family walked into the Dimri Towers sales office before the Kleins left. They are American modern Orthodox olim, who are interested in Modi'in because living in Jerusalem is not affordable. They agreed that it's the large and continuous influx of English-speaking immigrants to Modi'in that has contributed to the area's rising real estate prices.
Although Modi'in was initially planned to house mostly secular Jews, an increase in new olim has meant an increase in the number of religious Jews to the city. In
Modi'in, religious Jews are modern Orthodox, not Charedi, ultra-Orthodox. "If you want Charedim, you have to go to Modi'in Illit. It's about a 10-minute drive from here," said Jonny Klein.
Deputy mayor of Modi'in, Alex Weinreb, has big plans to turn Modi'in into a tourist attraction through the preservation and development of its historic and archeological sites. He and other residents are concerned that some of the city's ancient treasures have been destroyed in construction.
He noted that a Hashmonean wine press was discovered in Modi'in, in 2004, dating back to the time of Judah Maccabee. To Weinreb's dismay, it was dismantled but, he said, "key remains will be reconstructed at my initiative in the front courtyard of the Yeshivah High School" in the city and an archeological park will be opened there for visitors. According to Weinreb, who is writing a master's thesis on Modi'in's archeology, a three-hectare village from the Maccabean period has also been uncovered in the city.
Weinreb also noted that a huge park of about 370 acres is designed to be the biggest tourism park in Modi'in and will contain an artificial lake filled with fish and water plants.
"The park will contain the Byzantine monastery that was discovered in the northern part of the park in 2007. The monastery includes a mosaic floor, Byzantine bathhouses, a church and a baptistery tank for baptism," said Weinreb.
According to the deputy mayor, there are a numerous other parks slated for construction in Modi'in. These include, one that highlights the sculptures of artist Dudi Gerstein, a "nature gym," which "will allow those of limited means to exercise outdoors free of charge," and a park to "be built strictly with natural and recycled materials." There are other places being designed with nature trails for hikers.
All of this expansive natural and leisure space will continue to make Modi'in an attractive place for families with children, said Weinreb, adding that there is even an off-leash dog park in the works to cater to the 3,500 dogs that reside in the city.
There are also several lookout points being constructed to highlight the great views of the surrounding areas, from which it is possible sometimes to see as far as Ashkelon in the southwest. As Weinreb explained, these viewpoints are the source of the name Modi'in, which was used in ancient time for lighting beacons on hilltops to "alert" the outlying areas of the new month.
Ariel Kay, who bought an apartment in Modi'in 10 years ago and today rents it out said, "I am happy I never sold the apartment. For years, its value didn't increase much, but that seems to be changing now. When I hear about all of the archeological parks and tourist attractions being planned, it is exciting. Things are looking very positive."
Rhonda Spivak is a Winnipeg freelance writer. This story was written during a recent visit to Israel.
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