The city of Ramat-Gan

Ramat-Gan is a city in the state of Israel that soon will be celebrating a hundred years since its establishment.

 

In those years, the town developed from a small agricultural community into a central city, which today has more than 160,000 people. The city boasts a rich history and heritage, integrated in the evolution of the State of Israel.

 

I invite you to view the continued growth of the city, the broad public spaces, the commercial areas, the landscaping and the unique fabric of life in our city.

 

 

 

Founded: 1921

Area of jurisdiction: 16,300 dunams

Population: 161,000 residents

Height:  80 meters above sea level (average)

Location: In the center of Gush Dan. Positioned in the center of the coastal plain. Bordering the cities of Tel Aviv, Givatayim, Bnei Brak, and Kiryat Ono.

  

The uniqueness of Ramat-Gan is in its parks and green areas surrounding quiet, pastoral neighborhoods, alongside the Stock Exchange (Israel Diamond District), a business and entertainment complex – a bustling and colorful metropolitan hub.

 

Ramat-Gan is the greenest city in Israel, with its 25% green area. The city continues to meticulously maintain and improve its parks for the benefit of its residents and visitors. Bordering the city to the north are the Yarkon River and Yarkon Park, while to the south the open spaces of the Ramat-Gan National Park and the Safari.

 

Ramat-Gan originated as an agricultural community next to Tel Aviv. The pioneers that purchased the territory in 1914 called it "Ir Ganim" ("Garden City"), with the goal of founding a community of private farms. The first residents arrived in 1921, following World War I and the British Mandate governance. 

 

In 1926, the community was recognized as a local council. On May 16, 1933, Ramat-Gan changed its character and dimensions and became a city, which was economically reliant upon industry, craft, and trade. The number of its residents grew thirty-fold, from 136 to 4,000. 

 

The city's central location, in the heart of Gush Dan area, attracted large population, including new immigrants and native Israelis who sought the quality of life the garden city could offer. 

 

Ramat-Gan was declared a city on January 21, 1950.  

 

Ramat-Gan currently numbers 161,000 residents, and is one of the 15th largest cities in Israel. The city hosts the largest diamond district in the world, and one of the biggest business complexes in Israel - The Stock Exchange complex (Israel Diamond District), - where 50,000 people work every day. The Stock Exchange is currently undergoing renovations and renewal, and is expected to become one of the leading recreation and entertainment areas in the center of Israel. 

 

One of the most unique and beautiful parks in Israel is the Ramat-Gan National Park, attracting millions of people annually. In Ramat-Gan you can find 5 higher education institutions, including "Bar-Ilan University", "Shenkar School of Engineering, Design, and Art", ranked fifth in the world thanks to its trailblazing thinking, and "Beit Zvi School of the Performing Arts" – in addition to the largest hospital Israel ("Sheba - Tel Hashomer"), 11 museums, and 3 theaters. 

 

Ramat-Gan throbs with cultural life and art. both professional and amateur. The Arts and Culture city Department organizes some around 150 cultural events monthly, offering theater, music, dance, lectures, films and more various.

 

Ramat-Gan has a number of prestigious museums exhibiting Russian, Jewish, Japanese, Chinese and Far Eastern art. Apart from the museums, choirs, theaters and orchestras, Ramat-Gan is a city with an extensive outdoor sculpture gardens scattered throughout the city.

 

Ramat-Gan has many culture and recreation centers that host hundreds of cultural events in a variety of disciplines on a monthly basis. In the city, you can find three theaters, cinemas, and large shopping areas including both malls and street shops outdoor stores such as the famous Bialik Street with its dozens of diverse stores.

 

One of the largest shopping centers in the city is the "Ayalon Mall", with more than 150 stores and businesses. It has an area of 33,000 sq. m. over two floors with modern architectural design. The expanded second floor of the mall, which was completed in 2015, features flagship top brand stores of the leading Israeli and international companies' chains. 

 

The mall's proximity to Tel Aviv and Bnei Brak, attracts an average of 40,000 visitors a day, and also offers cafés, restaurants, and a 15-screen multiplex cinema showing the top films in Israel.

 

The National Park, located in Ramat-Gan, covers 12 dunams, including a pastoral pond, a unique flower garden, seating and recreation areas, and 82,000 flowers in a host of colors and species. This is in addition to trees, trails, and expansive lawns that reminds the classic parks of Europe. Admission to the park is free, and it is open to visitors 24 hours a day. 

Weekly sports and dance activities for the public take place at the park, and a variety of events and exhibitions are held at the "Man and the Living World Museum" in the center of the park. During the summer, the park hosts large-scale performances by singers, and a variety of public open events for children and families. 

 

 

At the Safari you will find the largest collection of animals in the Middle East, which is unique due to the large flocks and herds that graze in its open fields. 

There you can meet around 1,200 animals from all over the world, and see the largest wildlife hospital, which is Israel's biggest animal medical center. The Safari serves as a habitat for the breeding of endangered animals, and is a partner in projects that study and aim to return animals to their natural environments. The Safari is a member of the "International Zoo Association", and maintains ties with international nature conservation organizations.

 

The Stock Exchange is one of the largest business centers in Israel. The complex features a large number of office towers, including the Israel Diamond Exchange – one of the leading diamond exchanges in the world. Around the Stock Exchange, various business centers have developed, including high-tech, insurance, banking and finance companies. In this area, you can find day and night restaurants and entertainment spots. 

 

In 1968, the largest diamond exchange in the world was established in Ramat-Gan. The Stock Exchange currently has four large towers with more than 43,000 sq.m of floor space, and 1500 offices serving a number of 2400 Stock Exchange members. 

 

Adjacent to the towers, there are 328 diamond processing facilities, employing 4,500 people in polishing, cutting, and inlaying. The diamond industry constitutes one of Israel's major export sectors.

 

In 2015 Ramat-Gan began to form its vision of turning into the first smart city in Israel. In this context, the city is working to implement creative technologies that improve municipal services and optimize work processes for the benefit of the residents.

 

The smart city municipal project focuses in three main arenas: traffic and transportation, education, and municipal services. The city recently held an Expo competition, where nearly 50 companies and entrepreneurs presented ideas for advanced technology projects in order to turn Ramat-Gan into the first smart city in Israel. This past year the city has held a hackathon for the city's high school students, who created various applications to benefit and serve city residents. 

Ramat-Gan has twinning agreements with cities in various countries around the world:

Barnet, England

Weinheim, Germany

Wrocław, Poland

Main Kinzig District, Germany

Szombathely, Hungary

Penza, Russia

Phoenix, USA

Kassel, Germany

Strasbourg, France

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Shenyang, China

Qingdao, China

Taoyuan, Taiwan

San Borja, Peru 

 

"Ramat-Gan Foundation for Education and Culture" was established on March 7th, 1990 as a fund-raising organization and was approved as a non-profit association.  

 

The foundation, chaired by the mayor, raises funds for projects that are beyond the means of the municipal budget.

 

The many projects on the city wish list are destined for the advancement of education, culture, health and welfare for the residents of Ramat-Gan. Our partners donated  for kindergartens, resource centers in schools, school libraries, community centers for the youngsters and senior citizens, baby wellness centers, computer laboratories, gardens and playgrounds, school gymnasiums and the list goes on. In addition, the foundation's “angels” have funded educational and artistic scholarships and generously supported our efforts to buy computers for students in need.  

 

We are always looking to welcome new partners to our Ramat-Gan family. 

 

Here are just some of the projects made possible with the help of foundation's donners:

The Sculpture Garden by Menashe Kadishman

School centers named after the late Sigal Dahari

Playground named after the fallen soldier Lior Rothschild

City Square named after the late Michael Babyev

Bike path on the Yarkon River Bank named after the late Jonathan Gross

The Barbara Sirota Baby Wellness Center in Ramat Hashikma

The IHF Senior Citizens Center in Ramat Hashikma

The Mildred Augusta Steiner Kindergarten

A Computer Laboratory in Michlal Elementary School

The Yakov Rozen & Marian Miege-Rozen House

The Beit Doron recreation and cultural center named after the late Doron Baruch

Resource Center at the Hachsmonaim School

Student's grants 

 

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