First ar y s r e v i n An Issue
ModiInfo
December 2004 Kislev/Tevet 5765 Volume 2 Issue 1
Serving the English speaking community of Modiin and the surrounding neighborhoods
In and Around the City
One Year Later:
By: Alex Weinreb
An Interview with Moshe Spector, Mayor of Modiin
Earlier this year, I passed a ruling that Hanukkah is the official holiday of the City of Modiin. In celebration, Modiin will host eight continuous days of special shows and events. Several people, whose names deserve mention, have organized this year’s program. They are: Alon Schmidt – Manager of the Department of Culture, Meir Shimoni – Manager of the Education Department, Dr. Dalia Doron – Director of Schools in Modiin, Nomi Druckman – Heritage Consultant, Dina Karmona – Assistant General Manager, Idit Schwartz, Orna Magaer – Head of the Cathedra and Reut Cohen. The following is a schedule of events for the week of Hanukkah.
By: Daniella Hellerstein and Caryn Meltz ModiInfo had the honor of interviewing Mayor Spector after the completion of the mayor’s first year in office. ModiInfo: Having served as the mayor of Maccabim and Reut, how is your service as mayor of Modiin different? Mayor Spector: There is no comparison. Maccabim and Reut are small towns and Modiin is a city, which is estimated to be the fourth largest city in Israel. ModiInfo: Why do you think Modiin is such an attractive place to live?
Tuesday, December 7, First Candle of Hanukkah
Mayor Spector: Modiin is attractive because of its location from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem: 30 km to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in each direction. In 13 months there will be a train from Modiin to Tel Aviv that will take 17 minutes. The train to Jerusalem will take 22 minutes. Because of its unique location, Modiin weather is also more comfortable. It’s cooler than Tel Aviv in the summer and warmer than Jerusalem in the winter.
Schools and families will march with torches from the Rabin School to the site of the ancient synagogue of Um el-Omdan (located along the Latrun-Modiin road). We have also invited schools from other areas such as Shoham, Chashmonaim, Kibbutz Gezer and Chevel Modiin to participate. When the marchers reach the synagogue, a light and sound show will take place on the mountains in that area. In addition, we will light a Hanukkiah and the Modiin men’s choir will perform. The evening’s highlight will be the lighting of bonfires atop the mountains by the various youth groups in the city. The bonfires are reminiscent of those used to signal the arrival of Rosh Chodesh throughout the Continued on page 5
ModiInfo: What are your plans for increasing Aliyah to Modiin, already a popular place for immigrants from abroad? Mayor Spector: I recently spoke with Rabbi Joshua Fass of Nefesh B’Nefesh to discuss ways we may work Continued on page 4
Shum, Pilpel v’Shemen Zayit We carry the American products you’re looking for: • Mandarin oranges • Drakes Cakes • Dr. Pepper • • Frozen Pie Crusts • and much more Best prices in town Gourmet products from around the world Fresh spices, nuts and dried fruit
Kosher under the supervision of Chevel Modiin; daily mashgiach
Located in the Shilat shopping center (next to Home Center)
1 ModiInfo
December 2004 n Kislev/Tevet 5765 n Volume 2, Issue 1
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