Raanana

Raanana is a small city (about 50.000 citizens) in Israel, north-east of Tel Aviv. The city is predominantly Jewish, with many immigrants from English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.

Raanana's story began in 1912, with the founding of "Achuza A - New York", a company that was involved in the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel, the purpose of which was to purchase land in Palestine, to immigrate to the country and to establish an agricultural settlement here. World War I put an end to the plan temporarily. Only in 1922, did they manage to finally build the settlement.

On the April 2, 1922, 2 wagons left Tel Aviv with 4 members of the "Achuza" group, 3 workers and 2 armed guards. At the end of the 5 hour journey, they reached their destination, unloaded the wagon and decided that they would erect the first tent on that spot.

In its early days it was called "Raanania", a name suggested by its founders in the U.S. The settlement's Arab neighbors called it "Americaya", because most of it residents in those days spoke English and came from New York City. Finally, the first settlers decided to select a Hebrew version of the name and it was called "Raanana".