Update from the Telfed Ma'ale Adumim Regional Committee

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MA'ALE ADUMIM UPDATE

Summer is definitely here in MA with the temperatures in the 30’s but this doesn't seem to stop anyone from enjoying the many activities at the mall, the pool, the parks and of course the festivals and attractions in nearby Jerusalem. New english speaking Olim have begun arriving not only from South Africa but from North America, England and other European countries and marvel at the friendliness and hospitality that they are encountering.

In addition to the many summer camps in the city, the teenagers are especially busy with the "White Night" program-swimming at the "country club" from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with games, music, and fun activities.

Big news for the community absorption program here in Maale Adummim – the Absorption Ministry has decided to include South African, North Americans, British, and Australian families. These benefits include 7000 shekels of rent subsidies and 2000 shekels in Ulpan completion grants.To take advantage of these benefits Olim must come to a participating city between August and Dec 2011. (MA is one of 5 participating cities for English speakers)
As always, MA is a city in progress with on-going changes in all fields-cultural, educational and environmental.
I hope you are enjoying your summer and that you'll be joining us soon here in Maale Adummim-Israel's best kept secret!

Kol Tuv,
Regards

Shelley Brinn                                             
English Speaking Aliyah-Project Manager
City of Maale Adummim

Lesley Kaplan
Telfed Maale Adummim Regional Committee Representative

What's happening in the city??

Summer camps-"Kaytanot"-There were approximately 15 summer camps for grade school children operating in MA during the month of July-most through the local Community Centers. In addition camps exclusively for religious children, were run out of Ma'ale HaTorah and Sde Chemed Elementary Schools. Specialty camps in martial arts, sports, swimming and nature also draw a large crowd this year.

  Activities for teens-A full schedule of activities operated this summer for teens in Ma'ale Adumim. They included outdoor concerts, night swimming, trips and specialty days. According to the director of the Community Centers in MA, over 700 teens participated in just one of the night swims...with each receiving headphones so as not to disturb the neighbors with loud music!

Summer Project in Mitzpe Nevo-Camp Ilan

This summer, the Bnai Akiva youth group in Mitzpe Nevo ran a week long sleepaway camp for children with disablities. The participants of the youth group collected donations in order to finance the camp and the entire staff were volunteers! Twenty disabled children participated and enjoyed a fun-filled week of bowling, swimming, amusement park and home hospitality. It was a week that none of the campers or counselors will forget! Kol HaKavod!!!

Solar Panels for City's Schools
Within the upcoming year and a half, almost all of the city's schools will have solar panels installed in order to save money on electricity and be more environmentally friendly.

New Businesses...
Businesses in MA seem to be flourishing with new businesses opening up almost on a weekly basis. A new Judaica store recently opened in Kikar Yahalom, Bank HaPoalim opened it's doors at the mall as well as a new women's clothing store, a car-rental/leasing and a new deli. In the Industrial Park of Mishor Adummim, a new appliance store held its grand opening today. In the nearby community of Kfar Adumim a new steak restaurant was added to the Ma'ale Adumim restaurant options.

Olim Activities
Trip to the Moshe Castel Art Museum-Over 20 new olim visited the new Moshe Castel Art Museum for a morning guided tour. The art museum houses the permanent exhibit of Israeli painter and sculptor, Moshe Castel and is located in the Klei Shir neighborhood. After the tour, the group enjoyed refreshments in the museum cafe-restaurant.

Evening for English Speakers in MA

In June, the mayor's office initiated an evening for English speaking Olim in Ma'ale Adumim. Mayor Benny Kashriel spoke to the 100 attendees of the program as did the featured speaker, Knesset Minister of Information, Yuli Edelstein. Refreshments were served and a chance to shmooze with other English speakers was enjoyed by all.
  
 
  

Summer Children's Ulpanim
Ulpanim have begun for the olim children in order for them to start learning Hebrew before the official opening of the school year. Mazal Attias, an experienced ulpan teacher, is working with the grade school children here in MA while the teens will be going to a larger ulpan in Jerusalem at Chavat HaNoar.

New Arrivals and Pilot Trips
It was a pleasure to give city tours to the Kopinsky Family from Los Angelos and the Kon Family from Michigan who came on pilot tours prior to their planned aliyah in 2012.
Since July 1, the following families arrived on aliyah to MA..... the Derman family from South Africa, the Gable Family from Staten Island, New York, the Berger Family from Teaneck, New Jersey, The Weisels from Hollywood, Florida, the Gross Family from Florida and the Hessing Family from Connecticut.  In addition, a number of families moved into MA, after a year in different communities in Israel...
The Werners from Raanana, the Ben-shimols and Rebacz Families from Jerusalem.
We look forward to those families making aliyah to MA in September.

Upcoming Events
Upcoming events include a teen pizza party to mark the end of summer vacation as well as an evening program for all olim who arrived this summer to MA...details in next newsletter.

For more information about MA/Aliyah to MA, please contact Shelley Brinn at klita_ma@mam.org.il or call 0508296470 or Lesley Kaplan at lesley@zahav.net.il