Glimpses of Israel - Ma'aleh Adumim

Ma'aleh Adumim, situated on the periphery of the desert, is cooled by regular winds that blow between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. It is hot and dry by day, yet pleasantly cool at night during the summer months, but its winters are not as cold as Jerusalem's.

The name Ma'aleh Adumim comes from its association with the reddish hues in its rock formations, and we find a reference to its position in the Book of Joshua chapter 15. It was a border area between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the name refers to the route leading from the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem.

After the 1973 Yom Kippur War many settlement groups of Israelis came into being spontaneously in Judea and Samaria, and Ma'aleh Adumim was the most prominent of them. It was launched by twenty-three pioneer families during Hanukkah in 1975, the members worked industriously towards its strength and expansion, and soon it became a Municipality as the population grew by thousands.

The courage and commitment of those early pioneers, drawn from many different walks of life, demonstrated to all those who followed them what determination and a brave spirit could do to develop the region.

The Municipality has now established the Good Samaritan Inn and its surrounding hills as a tourist attraction, while retaining the site's unique ancient nature. There is a praying and religious studies section there, and a motel and restaurant modelled in an authentic Khan style.

In the extensive area between the Inn and the hills round it are outdoor activities to cater for many and varied pleasures and needs. One can go horseback riding at the recreation area; even the disabled can have riding therapy. There are mountain-bike courses, and one can play golf, or visit the Ecological Hotel On The Cliffs for breathtaking views and nature-oriented activities that may minister to body and soul.

Ma'aleh Adumim is also an industrial city with hundreds of factories, many owned by foreign investors. It is one of the largest industrial zones in the country.

There are many opportunities for the promotion of the arts in Ma'aleh Adumim as well as industry, and newcomers from many backgrounds make up the success story that is Ma'aleh Adumim, a Municipality that is constantly expanding and embracing new development.

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