Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut (Hebrew: מוֹדִיעִין-מַכַּבִּים-רֵעוּתMōdīʿīn-Makkabbīm-Rēʿūt) is a city located in central Israel, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) southeast of Tel Aviv and 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Jerusalem, and is connected to those two cities via Highway 443. In 2022 the population was 99,171.[1] The population density in that year was 1,794 people per square kilometer.
The modern city was named after the ancient Jewish town of Modi'in, which existed in the same area. Modi'in was the place of origin of the Maccabees, the Jewish rebels who freed Judea from the rule of the Seleucid Empire and established the Hasmonean dynasty, events commemorated by the holiday of Hanukkah. The modern city was built in the 20th century. A small part of the city (the Maccabim neighborhood) is not recognized by the European Union as being in Israel, as it lies in what the 1949 Armistice Agreement with Jordan left as a no man's land, and was occupied in 1967 by Israel after it was captured from Jordan together with the West Bank proper.[2][3]
Etymology
The name "Modi'in" (Hebrew: מודיעין) derives from the ancient Jewish village "Modi'im"[4] of the high priest Mattathias and his five sons, which was located in the same area as the modern city. The name "Maccabim" is Hebrew for the Maccabees and is a common nickname given to Mattathias and his five sons.
During classical antiquity, a town named Modi'in (‹See Tfd›Greek: Μωδεειμ, Mōdeeim)[5] existed in the general area of the modern city. It was the place of origin of the Maccabees, a group of Jewish rebel warriors who started and led the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid rule over Judea and the Hellenisation of its Jewish population. The revolt succeeded in driving out the Selucids, and the rededication of the Second Temple at the end of the revolt is commemorated by the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. After expelling the Selucids, the Maccabees formed the Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled Judea in the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE.[6][7]
Under Justinian, the Byzantine town in the area was known as Moditha ([Μωδιθα] Error: {{Lang}}: invalid parameter: |3= (help)).[5]
An ancient Jewish fortified homestead dating from the Hellenistic period through to the Bar Kokhba revolt has been discovered in the area.[6] Archaeologists discovered what one of them suggested might be an orderly numismatic collection of 16 silver tetradrachms and didrachms (shekels and half-shekels) minted in the city of Tyre during the reign of two Seleucid kings.[6] They further unearthed artifacts and structures from the Hasmonean period, the Great Revolt (66–74 CE) and the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE), including a rock-hewn hiding complex entered through a mikveh (ritual bath).
[6]
Modern Modi'in is located near the site of the ancient Modi'in described in the Talmud, though the specific location is uncertain. Possibilities are Suba near Jerusalem, Umm el-'Umdan near Route 20 to Canada Park and Latrun, al-Midya,[8] and Khirbet el-Burj (Titura[9][10][11]/Horbat Tittora).
Umm el-Umdan is an archaeological hilltop site near the southern Moriah (Buchman) neighbourhood of Maccabim Reut, towards Latrun Junction. The six main settlement strata excavated date to the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Early Muslim periods. However, the main findings are from a rural settlement from the Hasmonean through to the Early Roman periods. It contains the remains of a synagogue dated to the end of the 2nd-beginning of the 1st century BCE (Hasmonean period), in use till 132 CE (Bar Kokhba revolt). It has a 1st-century CE mikveh standing next to it.[12]
The ruins of a Crusader castle have been excavated at Titura/Tittora. The findings from the castle's courtyard, which has also been used as a kitchen, include various kitchenware as well as bronze and silver jewelry lost by the medieval female kitchen staff.[14][15]
Preservation efforts
Lack of interest in archaeological sites during the construction of the new city led to the loss of important archaeological vestiges.[7] Through the effort of several individual citizens, worse destruction could be avoided at Titura and Umm el-Umdan, with authorities taking over the preservation of the surviving sites, while the public actively included the Hasmonean antiquities into their annual Hanukkah rituals.[7]
Modern city (est. 1985-1996)
Map of depopulated Palestinian villages within municipal boundaries of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut
The modern city was founded in the late 20th century. The city of Modi'in was built in the 1990s, and it was later merged with the nearby towns of Maccabim and Re'ut, which had been founded in the 1980s, to create the unified municipality of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut. Modern Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut's municipal boundary encompasses a number of depopulated Palestinian villages: Ajanjul, Barfiliya, Bayt Shanna, Bir Ma'in, Al-Burj, Innaba, Khirbat al-Buwayra, Kharruba, and Al-Kunayyisa.
In 1985, the construction of the town of Maccabim, which was led by the International Maccabi organization began, and the project of founding nearby Re'ut, led by an association of Israeli army officers, started in 1987. The towns were united into Maccabim-Re'ut in 1990.
According to ARIJ, Israel confiscated land from two Palestinian villages for the construction of Maccabim, presently part of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut: 1,499 dunams from Beit Sira[16] and 471 dunams from Saffa.[17][18]
The cornerstone of Modi'in was laid in 1993. It was built as a modern planned city with high standards of urban planning. Environmental issues and future growth were taken into consideration from the early design stages. Large greenspaces were incorporated into the city's layout and comprise 50% of the area within the city limits. The city was opened for residency in 1996.
In 2003, the Israeli Interior Ministry unified Modi'in and Maccabim-Reut into a single city.
Demography
High-rise development in Modi'in
Modi'in has become a magnet for Jerusalem residents displeased with the capital's growing Haredi character.[19] Thousands of residents of Rosh HaAyin, Lod, and Ramla have also relocated to Modi'in.[19] In 2008, it was decided to cap the growth of Modi'in to allow for the development of Lod and Ramla.[19] The city was planned by the well-known architect Moshe Safdie. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, the city is rated at level 8 out of 10 on the scale of socio-economic development, with a high proportion of high school graduation, 76.5% (2006–07), and an average monthly income of 9,659 NIS, compared to a national average of 7,466 (2006). Modi'in has attracted a large community of olim (Jewish immigrants) from English-speaking countries.[20]
Controversy
In 2012, the European Union reclassified the small part of Modi'in originally founded as the community of Maccabim as a West Bank settlement since it had been established in the no man's land according to the 1949 Armistice agreements. The effect of this redefinition was to deny the affected area (which is exclusively green-leaf residential) a range of preferential tax benefits that would normally be conceded on Israeli products exported to Europe.[3] The decision was made to implement a 2010 ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union.[3] The move sparked a diplomatic controversy.
City plan
Azrieli Mall in central Modi'inWadi Anaba Park west of the city center
The original city of Modi'in is laid out around a central hub, with the main arterial spokes organized as dual carriageways. Each side of the artery is a one-way street, and in between is a wide green space, with linear parks, playgrounds, schools, and some small commercial centers. Short lateral stubs fed by continuous-flow intersection turn lanes allow drivers to traverse the green spaces and effect a U-turn onto the artery's opposite direction lanes. These stubs also serve as the entranceways for the schools and mini-malls, preventing parking traffic from blocking the high-speed, left lanes of the arteries. The right shoulders of most arteries do, however, allow parking, except in the pullouts for bus stops, next to fire hydrants, etc.
The city center is a large traffic circle punctuated by traffic lights. On the north side of the circle is the central train station, to the northeast is the Azrieli shopping mall (pictured), and to the west and south is the Anaba park (also pictured), which contains a small artificial lake used for recreational boating. The traffic circle straddles a major northeast–southwest artery, HaHashmona'im Blvd., that connects to the southwest with route 431 (which has its eastern terminus in south Modi'in and extends west to Rishon LeZion), and to the northeast with route 443 (at Shilat Junction) providing connectivity to Jerusalem (southeast) and Lod (northwest).
Approximately 5 km (3 miles) west-northwest of the city center is an industrial zone, and to the west (on route 431) is the Yishpro commercial center. The latter is also accessible via an additional Modi'in train station, Paatei Modi'in (Hebrew: פאתי מודיעין, "Modi'in outskirts"). The industrial zone is also linked to route 443 via its own interchange, between Shilat Junction and the Maccabim Junction at the eastern side of the Ben Shemen JNF forest. This keeps most of the commercial traffic out of the city proper, so that the two arteries between the city and its industrial zone (Emek HaEla and HaShdera Hamerkazit) carry primarily commuters rather than trucks.
The long-term projection of the Ministry of Housing is for the city to be home to 240,000 residents. However, plans approved thus far are for 120,000 residents.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'utPark Modi'in
השבטים HaShvatim – The Tribes (North Buchman/Buchman) and מוריה Moriah (South Buchman) are the most southern neighborhoods in the city. Most of the buildings in this neighborhood are ground-level private homes and condos. The streets of Shvatim are named after the tribes of Israel, and the streets of Moriah are named after ancient historical Jewish figures. Moriah, the name of the southern neighborhood, is also a feminine name representing these women.
הפרחים HaPrachim – The Flowers (Miromi) is a small neighborhood in the city center. Located in HaPrachim is a commercial center, two primary schools and a secondary school. The neighborhood's streets are named after trees, flowers, and plants. At the northern part of the neighborhood there is a small compound where the streets are named after phrases from the Song of Songs.
הנחלים HaNechalim – The Rivers (Safdie) and משואה Masuah – Beacon (Givat C) are located towards the west of the city, and were planned by architect Moshe Safdie. Located in these neighborhoods are five commercial centers, a secondary school and three primary schools. The central street names are named after valleys in Israel, and the side streets are named after Israeli rivers and streets. The name "Masuah" was selected in order to represent the neighborhood's high altitude. Within the area consisting of the streets named after rivers and streams is the "Malibu" area, which, as with other areas, is colloquially named after the contractor who designed the neighborhood.
הכרמים HaKramim – The Vineyards (Tsipor) is the northernmost neighborhood in Modi'in. The streets are named after the Hebrew months. The name "Kramim" is in honor of the vineyards that were located where the neighborhood now stands before the city was founded.
אבני חן Avnei Chen – Precious Stones (Kaizer) is located towards the west of the city, and parts of it are still under construction. The main road is named "Avnei Choshen" and leads to the only retail under residential mixed use buildings in Modi'in.[citation needed] Other streets, in keeping with the neighborhood's name, are named for precious stones. The parks are connected through the center of the neighborhood and allow pedestrians to cross. A bike lane in the Emek Zvuloon street leads to the center of town.
הנביאים HaNevi'im – The Prophets (Northern Shimshoni) and המגינים HaMeginim – The Defenders (Southern Shimshoni) are located towards the northwest of the city. Streets in HaNevi'im are named for the Prophets of Israel, while HaMeginim's streets are named after generals and important battles in Israeli history. Located in the neighborhoods are three commercial centers, three primary schools, and one secondary school.
הציפורים HaTsiporim – The Birds (South Kaizer) is still being planned. Its streets will be named after different species of birds, and will be a relatively small neighborhood consisting of only seven streets.
Culture and sports
Modi'in cultural auditorium
In 2007, Modi'in was selected as one of the inaugural cities for the Israel Baseball League. The baseball team was named the Modi'in Miracle, but did not play games in Modi'in as there is no baseball stadium there.
In 2008, the Pioneers of the Israeli Football League (American Football) relocated to Modi'in. The Pioneers played all their home games in Modi'in. In their first year, the Modi'in "Dancing Camel" Pioneers won the IFL Championship. After an unsuccessful 2009–10 season, their second in Modi'in, the Pioneers relocated once again to Tel Aviv, where most of the team's players lived.
Transportation
View towards Modi'in Central Railway Station and main commercial district
Haikou, Hainan Province, China, since 2013 (Israel Sister Cities Project initiated and coordinated by Unique 1 Asia with the two municipalities.[25][26][27]
^The modern Hebrew spelling for Modi'in follows a reconstruction based on the Greek name Μωδαῒν / Μωδαί (Modin), while overlooking the more ancient spelling of this name found in the Mishnah (Pesahim 9:2; Hagigah 3:5), where the name is rendered as Modi'im (מודיעים).
^Ben-Yosef, Sefi[in Hebrew], ed. (n.d.). Israel Guide - Judaea (A useful encyclopedia for the knowledge of the country) (in Hebrew). Vol. 9. Jerusalem: Keter Publishing House, in affiliation with the Israel Ministry of Defence. p. 307. OCLC745203905.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link), s.v. קברי המקבים
^Градови партнери [City of Banja Luka - Partner cities]. Administrative Office of the City of Banja Luka (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
