The marvelous view of Haifa was for hundreds of thousands of new immigrants coming from the sea the first,
dazzling view of the return to Zion.
Since the arrival of immigrants from Europe and North Africa from the beginning of the XXth century, Haifa has
undergone a metamorphosis and has become an industrial, scientific and intellectual center where it is good to live.
This city has five trump cards
beauty of Nature, high quality education, scientific and economic dynamism, quality of life, pluralistic cultural life
King Salomon wrote about this site in the Songs of Songs:
Your head is high as the Carmel
The town is quoted in the Talmud and in the Mishna, was also the town of the prophet Elyah.
The Elyiah cave which is to this day a place of pilgrimage, gives to the city an important spiritual aur
dazzling view of the return to Zion.
Since the arrival of immigrants from Europe and North Africa from the beginning of the XXth century, Haifa has
undergone a metamorphosis and has become an industrial, scientific and intellectual center where it is good to live.
This city has five trump cards
beauty of Nature, high quality education, scientific and economic dynamism, quality of life, pluralistic cultural life
King Salomon wrote about this site in the Songs of Songs:
Your head is high as the Carmel
The town is quoted in the Talmud and in the Mishna, was also the town of the prophet Elyah.
The Elyiah cave which is to this day a place of pilgrimage, gives to the city an important spiritual aur
HAIFA
Israel's third largest city, population 270,000
Location: Northern Israel on the slopes between the Mediterranean Coast and the Carmel Mountains
Religious Life: Active religious communities; at last count there were 250 synagogues in Haifa -Ashkenazi, Habad,
Hassidic, Sefardi, Conservative, Reform
Age Range: All ages
Number of English Speaking Olim: approximately 6,000
Accessibility to Places of Employment: Hi Tech Industrial Park (with Intel Israel R&D, Microsoft, GE Medical
Imaging, Elbit etc) at entrance to city, Haifa University, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Rafael (defense
industry), IBM R&D, chemical, engineering and pharmaceuticals in Haifa Bay Area, Israel Electric Company, oil
refineries. Train to places of employment in Tel Aviv, Herzlia, Netanya, etc all under one hour.
Medical Care: All Health Funds represented plus many excellent private doctors and dentists- Three major
hospitals- Rambam, Bnai Zion and Carmel plus a number of small private ones.
Commercial Establishments: Three major malls and several smaller ones for all shopping needs. Also, a
number of traditional shopping streets and a large shuk.
Climate:Temperate winters and summers, ideal Mediterranean climate.
Housing availability: Apartments and private homes of all sizes available for rent and purchase at all price ranges -
reasonably priced compared to other big cities. Many with breathtaking views.
Haifa is Israel's best kept secret. It is a quiet, beautiful, residential city with a decidedly European flavor, great
beaches, two major university campuses, and a high quality of life.It has rich and diverse cultural offerings, a
young caf? and bar scene along the main drag on the Carmel and many family-oriented activities. Haifa is friendly
to olim: it has absorbed the largest number of Russian immigrants proportionate to its size and it has a veteran
Anglo community. There is a steady flow of English speaking olim and many services are available for new
immigrants through the municipality and the Ministry of Absorption. Haifa has strong ties with Boston
through the Haifa-Boston Connection (http://www.haifa-boston.org ).
Physical Surroundings
The most outstanding feature of Haifa is its green, lush panoramic views. Because it is situated on the slope of a
mountain, the magnificent combination of sea and mountain provide never-ending opportunities for breathtaking
views as you climb up the mountain. Haifa is divided into three areas ֲ– the downtown area at the bottom includes
the port, bus and train stations, government buildings and businesses, the Hadar section in the middle features
commercial and shopping districts and some older residential areas and the third area is the Carmel ridge which is
mostly residential. At the very bottom are some of Israel's best beaches and at the very top, some of Israel's most
magnificent forests ֲ–the Carmel Forest (also called Little Switzerland). So for people to whom pleasing physical
surroundings are important, Haifa has it all.
Religious Life and Neighborhoods:
Haifa has a wide variety of religious communities ranging from Hassidic (Vishnitz, Habad), Haredi, Religious
Zionists, Masorati, and all other shades. In most neighborhoods the population is mixed but there are a number of
areas in Haifa where there are religious communities with a concentration of English speaking olim. These
communities are interspersed within the non-religious population and are well integrated, as individuals and as
communities, within the general population. For those seeking the services needed to conduct a full religious life at
their own level and are also interested in all the amenities which a big city can offer, Ahuza and Neve Shaanan are
excellent choices.
The Ahuza area runs from the Central Carmel to Denya, the up-scale villa neighborhood near Haifa University.
Neve Shaanan is the large area facing the Haifa Bay near the Technion. Also Kiryat Shmuel, a largely religious
suburb in the Haifa Bay area, is a viable alternative. Generally speaking, English speaking olim are spread out all
over metropolitan Haifa and can be found in every neighborhood, but for those seeking religious community
life the above three areas provide the best alternatives.
Ahuza has over twenty orthodox synagogues, as well as active conservative and reform congregations. There is an
excellent local municipal religious elementary school for boys and girls, s. There are four first-rate religious high
schools in Haifa, two for boys and two for girls, and even more in the greater Haifa area. There is an active,
bustling Bnai Akiva snif in the neighborhood, with children from fourth grade through senior high school, and it
provides them with a strong and binding social, educational and ideological framework .The Ahuza synagogues
sponsor joint holiday celebrations and events and publish a bimonthly community journal. There is a rich
variety of shiurim on offer, including several Daf Yomi groups.
The English-speaking religious community in Ahuza is very involved in local activities and holds leadership
positions in many synagogues and other institutions. They are warm and welcoming to newcomers.
Neve Shaanan has a large, vibrant religious community which boasts a community center with round the clock
activities. The large local Bnai Akiva snif meets there. Neve Shaanan has a large religious elementary school for
girls and boys, and many synagogues. The municipal religious girls high school is located in Neve Shaanan, and
the community also boasts a haredi mini-market. The religious population of Neve Shaanan is
concentrated around ages.
Kiryat Shmuel is a largely religious neighborhood where secular people are a definite minority. Some streets are
closed on Shabbat.
Education:
Haifa has a wide range of educational institutions, from nursery to university, including programs for
special needs children, and many choices are available both in the secular and the religious streams. There are too
many secular options to list here but a variety of religious educational institutions in Ahuza and Neve Shaanan are
available as follows:
Ganim: there are excellent religious cr?ches (maonot) and kindergarten (ganim) available in both neighborhoods
and some of the secular gamin have rich traditional programs.
Elementary Schools: the Carmel School (Netiv Eliezer) in Ahuza, and the Rambam School in Neve Shaanan, are
state religious elementary schools for boys and girls with a religious Zionist orientation. Some of the elementary
school age children in Haifa attend the Barkai school (run by a national religious school organization) with
separate classes for boys and girls which is located in Kiryat Eliezer - about 15 minutes away from Ahuza and Neve
Shaanan. Another alternative is Beyachad.
High Schools: for girls ֲ– Ironi Vav is the municipal religious girl's high school located in Neve Shaanan. There is
also a Tzvia High School (run by a national religious school organization) for girls, located in the Hadar. For boys,
Yavne is the state religious Yeshiva High School and it is relatively close to both neighborhoods, and theBranco-
Weiss Torah High School is close by on the Carmel. In addition, there are a number of outstanding secular high
schools ( Reali, Hugim and Leo Beck) nearby as well as municipal high schools.
Universities: Haifa boasts two of Israelֲ’s leading universities, the Technion (Israelֲ’s MIT) and Haifa University.
The Technion has a Kollel and Midrasha within the synagogue complex, which are a component of
the Humanities campus-wide program. Haifa also has three major teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Technion
Medical School, which even has an American medical program.
Cultural Life and Entertainment: Haifa has many excellent cultural resources: the Haifa Municipal Theater, the
Rappaport Auditorium complex (home to the Haifa Symphony Orchestra), the Cinematheque, the Haifa Chamber
Music Society, an annual International Film Festival, thriving community centers, and more. Haifa is one of the
three homes of the Israel Philharmonic, with performances all year round. It also has a well-developed network of
public libraries including children's books and books in English. There are a number of sports complexes, four
large cinema multiplexes, a zoo and to top it all off, an excellent amateur English theater with performances
for the general public two or three times a year. Haifa also has active branches of all the large volunteer
organizations, including an English speaking Hadassah chapter. Haifa has a thriving School for Hazanut, one of
only three in the country, and hosts regular Hazanut concerts.
There is a multitude of museums ranging from archaeology, science, train, art, naval, etc.
Housing: A large variety of housing is available in Haifa. A 3-4 bedroom apartment in Ahuza or Neve
Shaanan can be purchased for between $150,000 -$300,000 and rented for $500 and up*. Kiryat Shmuel is about
20% cheaper.
written by Annette Cohen
giyus-haifa@gmail.com. for Nefesh l'nefesh
*Please note: this article was written in 2008 and there was an increase in real estate values in the last years
Israel's third largest city, population 270,000
Location: Northern Israel on the slopes between the Mediterranean Coast and the Carmel Mountains
Religious Life: Active religious communities; at last count there were 250 synagogues in Haifa -Ashkenazi, Habad,
Hassidic, Sefardi, Conservative, Reform
Age Range: All ages
Number of English Speaking Olim: approximately 6,000
Accessibility to Places of Employment: Hi Tech Industrial Park (with Intel Israel R&D, Microsoft, GE Medical
Imaging, Elbit etc) at entrance to city, Haifa University, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Rafael (defense
industry), IBM R&D, chemical, engineering and pharmaceuticals in Haifa Bay Area, Israel Electric Company, oil
refineries. Train to places of employment in Tel Aviv, Herzlia, Netanya, etc all under one hour.
Medical Care: All Health Funds represented plus many excellent private doctors and dentists- Three major
hospitals- Rambam, Bnai Zion and Carmel plus a number of small private ones.
Commercial Establishments: Three major malls and several smaller ones for all shopping needs. Also, a
number of traditional shopping streets and a large shuk.
Climate:Temperate winters and summers, ideal Mediterranean climate.
Housing availability: Apartments and private homes of all sizes available for rent and purchase at all price ranges -
reasonably priced compared to other big cities. Many with breathtaking views.
Haifa is Israel's best kept secret. It is a quiet, beautiful, residential city with a decidedly European flavor, great
beaches, two major university campuses, and a high quality of life.It has rich and diverse cultural offerings, a
young caf? and bar scene along the main drag on the Carmel and many family-oriented activities. Haifa is friendly
to olim: it has absorbed the largest number of Russian immigrants proportionate to its size and it has a veteran
Anglo community. There is a steady flow of English speaking olim and many services are available for new
immigrants through the municipality and the Ministry of Absorption. Haifa has strong ties with Boston
through the Haifa-Boston Connection (http://www.haifa-boston.org ).
Physical Surroundings
The most outstanding feature of Haifa is its green, lush panoramic views. Because it is situated on the slope of a
mountain, the magnificent combination of sea and mountain provide never-ending opportunities for breathtaking
views as you climb up the mountain. Haifa is divided into three areas ֲ– the downtown area at the bottom includes
the port, bus and train stations, government buildings and businesses, the Hadar section in the middle features
commercial and shopping districts and some older residential areas and the third area is the Carmel ridge which is
mostly residential. At the very bottom are some of Israel's best beaches and at the very top, some of Israel's most
magnificent forests ֲ–the Carmel Forest (also called Little Switzerland). So for people to whom pleasing physical
surroundings are important, Haifa has it all.
Religious Life and Neighborhoods:
Haifa has a wide variety of religious communities ranging from Hassidic (Vishnitz, Habad), Haredi, Religious
Zionists, Masorati, and all other shades. In most neighborhoods the population is mixed but there are a number of
areas in Haifa where there are religious communities with a concentration of English speaking olim. These
communities are interspersed within the non-religious population and are well integrated, as individuals and as
communities, within the general population. For those seeking the services needed to conduct a full religious life at
their own level and are also interested in all the amenities which a big city can offer, Ahuza and Neve Shaanan are
excellent choices.
The Ahuza area runs from the Central Carmel to Denya, the up-scale villa neighborhood near Haifa University.
Neve Shaanan is the large area facing the Haifa Bay near the Technion. Also Kiryat Shmuel, a largely religious
suburb in the Haifa Bay area, is a viable alternative. Generally speaking, English speaking olim are spread out all
over metropolitan Haifa and can be found in every neighborhood, but for those seeking religious community
life the above three areas provide the best alternatives.
Ahuza has over twenty orthodox synagogues, as well as active conservative and reform congregations. There is an
excellent local municipal religious elementary school for boys and girls, s. There are four first-rate religious high
schools in Haifa, two for boys and two for girls, and even more in the greater Haifa area. There is an active,
bustling Bnai Akiva snif in the neighborhood, with children from fourth grade through senior high school, and it
provides them with a strong and binding social, educational and ideological framework .The Ahuza synagogues
sponsor joint holiday celebrations and events and publish a bimonthly community journal. There is a rich
variety of shiurim on offer, including several Daf Yomi groups.
The English-speaking religious community in Ahuza is very involved in local activities and holds leadership
positions in many synagogues and other institutions. They are warm and welcoming to newcomers.
Neve Shaanan has a large, vibrant religious community which boasts a community center with round the clock
activities. The large local Bnai Akiva snif meets there. Neve Shaanan has a large religious elementary school for
girls and boys, and many synagogues. The municipal religious girls high school is located in Neve Shaanan, and
the community also boasts a haredi mini-market. The religious population of Neve Shaanan is
concentrated around ages.
Kiryat Shmuel is a largely religious neighborhood where secular people are a definite minority. Some streets are
closed on Shabbat.
Education:
Haifa has a wide range of educational institutions, from nursery to university, including programs for
special needs children, and many choices are available both in the secular and the religious streams. There are too
many secular options to list here but a variety of religious educational institutions in Ahuza and Neve Shaanan are
available as follows:
Ganim: there are excellent religious cr?ches (maonot) and kindergarten (ganim) available in both neighborhoods
and some of the secular gamin have rich traditional programs.
Elementary Schools: the Carmel School (Netiv Eliezer) in Ahuza, and the Rambam School in Neve Shaanan, are
state religious elementary schools for boys and girls with a religious Zionist orientation. Some of the elementary
school age children in Haifa attend the Barkai school (run by a national religious school organization) with
separate classes for boys and girls which is located in Kiryat Eliezer - about 15 minutes away from Ahuza and Neve
Shaanan. Another alternative is Beyachad.
High Schools: for girls ֲ– Ironi Vav is the municipal religious girl's high school located in Neve Shaanan. There is
also a Tzvia High School (run by a national religious school organization) for girls, located in the Hadar. For boys,
Yavne is the state religious Yeshiva High School and it is relatively close to both neighborhoods, and theBranco-
Weiss Torah High School is close by on the Carmel. In addition, there are a number of outstanding secular high
schools ( Reali, Hugim and Leo Beck) nearby as well as municipal high schools.
Universities: Haifa boasts two of Israelֲ’s leading universities, the Technion (Israelֲ’s MIT) and Haifa University.
The Technion has a Kollel and Midrasha within the synagogue complex, which are a component of
the Humanities campus-wide program. Haifa also has three major teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Technion
Medical School, which even has an American medical program.
Cultural Life and Entertainment: Haifa has many excellent cultural resources: the Haifa Municipal Theater, the
Rappaport Auditorium complex (home to the Haifa Symphony Orchestra), the Cinematheque, the Haifa Chamber
Music Society, an annual International Film Festival, thriving community centers, and more. Haifa is one of the
three homes of the Israel Philharmonic, with performances all year round. It also has a well-developed network of
public libraries including children's books and books in English. There are a number of sports complexes, four
large cinema multiplexes, a zoo and to top it all off, an excellent amateur English theater with performances
for the general public two or three times a year. Haifa also has active branches of all the large volunteer
organizations, including an English speaking Hadassah chapter. Haifa has a thriving School for Hazanut, one of
only three in the country, and hosts regular Hazanut concerts.
There is a multitude of museums ranging from archaeology, science, train, art, naval, etc.
Housing: A large variety of housing is available in Haifa. A 3-4 bedroom apartment in Ahuza or Neve
Shaanan can be purchased for between $150,000 -$300,000 and rented for $500 and up*. Kiryat Shmuel is about
20% cheaper.
written by Annette Cohen
giyus-haifa@gmail.com. for Nefesh l'nefesh
*Please note: this article was written in 2008 and there was an increase in real estate values in the last years
I love Haifa, presentation on the beautiful site of Guy Shachar
In the streets of Haïfa, by Yom Omer
The sounds of Pireus remind me of Haifa a presentation by Miri Harel
Haifa today
Old Photos presented by the Rotary Club of Haifa
Know your town, Haifa in the past Haifa history Society
Nostalgia
Old photos presented by Dan Eldar
Who knows the anonymous photographer who documented Haifa???
In the streets of Haïfa, by Yom Omer
The sounds of Pireus remind me of Haifa a presentation by Miri Harel
Haifa today
Old Photos presented by the Rotary Club of Haifa
Know your town, Haifa in the past Haifa history Society
Nostalgia
Old photos presented by Dan Eldar
Who knows the anonymous photographer who documented Haifa???
Every year, Haifa receives 5 stars of beauty
and in 2013:
and in 2013:
The City Haifa: by A. B. Yehoshua
from Newsweek 5/6/11
I am a proud native of Jerusalem, the fifth generation of a Jewish family that came to that
illustrious city in the middle of the 19th century. Nevertheless, after the Six-Day War of
1967, my wife and I made the conscious choice to leave Jerusalem—not to move to Tel
Aviv, like so many of our friends, but rather to go farther north to the port city of Haifa.
Nearly 45 years later we still congratulate ourselves on this wise decision, not only because
religious and political divisions have altered the character of Jerusalem—and undermined
its sanity—but also because of Haifa’s unique qualities, which become clearer as time passes.
If I had to define Haifa in a single phrase, it would be this: the well-tempered city. This
seaside city offers an ideal blend of various elements, which, in other parts of Israel, give
rise to disharmony and conflict.
People often speak of Haifa as a place where the mountain meets the sea, but it is more
than that. It is a constant merger of the two. In Tel Aviv a walker may be near the sea but
unaware of its presence until he reaches the beach. But because of the topography of Haifa
and its bay, the sea is a permanent fixture, even from distant windows. And someone
strolling on the beach, or splashing in the surf, can cast her eyes at the distant green gullies
winding between the houses.
This topographic blend is an apt setting for the sorts of social harmony that grace the city.
First and foremost is the coexistence of the Jewish majority and the Arab minority,
Christian and Muslim. Even in the difficult days of the Palestinian intifada, the two
communities in Haifa remained on friendly terms. The reason stems from the 1948 War of
Independence, when Jews and Arabs clashed all over Israel. Whereas in Haifa, even as the
Jews took control of the city, they asked the Arab residents not to flee and seek refuge in
Lebanon. Many of the Arabs of Haifa stayed, trusting the Jews’ assurance that they would
not be mistreated in the new state, and in the 63 years since, this agreement among
neighbors has formed the basis of a respectful relationship.
A good number of streets in Haifa are named for Arab mayors and intellectuals of the pre-
state period. Our street signs are bilingual. The churches and mosques, as well as the gold-
domed Bahai shrine and its stunning gardens, are pilgrimage sites for visitors from around
the world, all under the protection of the Jews.
Indeed, the city’s greatest Jewish virtue is its secular pluralistic spirit. Haifa is a city that
will not succumb to any religious coercion, least of all Jewish. Decades ago, when public
transportation on the Sabbath and holidays was banned throughout the country, our fiercely
socialist mayor insisted on maintaining it, not only to respect the rights of the city’s non-
Jews, but also to enable residents without private cars to go to the beach or visit relatives on
Sabbath. Haifa’s secular transportation policy remains a symbol of its socialist, egalitarian
values—the city has long been nicknamed “Red Haifa”—which endure in the face of Israel’
s strong rightward tendencies, both religious and political. At the same time, the city
government takes care not to affront its religious population. In Orthodox neighborhoods,
streets are closed to traffic on Saturdays, and secular residents do not complain as they do in
other cities. For if your needs are respected, you are considerate of the values and feelings of
others.
Best of all, Haifa enjoys all the advantages of a big city. Yet, unlike Tel Aviv, it is a short
ride away from some of the loveliest rural landscapes in the land: the Galilee, the Carmel
Ridge, the Jezreel Valley. I sometimes think that if Jerusalem continues to embroil us in its
escalating nationalist and religious conflicts, and Tel Aviv ramps up its radical hedonism,
we ought to build a little barricade south of town at Zikhron Yaakov, and establish an
autonomous Haifaite republic—friendly to the rest of Israel, but unique and independent.
After all, it is no coincidence that in 1902, in his wonderful utopian novel Old New Land,
the Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl singled out Haifa as the model city of the future Jewish
state.
Yehoshua is the author, most recently, of Friendly Fire. (This column is translated from the Hebrew by
Stuart Schoffman.)
from Newsweek 5/6/11
I am a proud native of Jerusalem, the fifth generation of a Jewish family that came to that
illustrious city in the middle of the 19th century. Nevertheless, after the Six-Day War of
1967, my wife and I made the conscious choice to leave Jerusalem—not to move to Tel
Aviv, like so many of our friends, but rather to go farther north to the port city of Haifa.
Nearly 45 years later we still congratulate ourselves on this wise decision, not only because
religious and political divisions have altered the character of Jerusalem—and undermined
its sanity—but also because of Haifa’s unique qualities, which become clearer as time passes.
If I had to define Haifa in a single phrase, it would be this: the well-tempered city. This
seaside city offers an ideal blend of various elements, which, in other parts of Israel, give
rise to disharmony and conflict.
People often speak of Haifa as a place where the mountain meets the sea, but it is more
than that. It is a constant merger of the two. In Tel Aviv a walker may be near the sea but
unaware of its presence until he reaches the beach. But because of the topography of Haifa
and its bay, the sea is a permanent fixture, even from distant windows. And someone
strolling on the beach, or splashing in the surf, can cast her eyes at the distant green gullies
winding between the houses.
This topographic blend is an apt setting for the sorts of social harmony that grace the city.
First and foremost is the coexistence of the Jewish majority and the Arab minority,
Christian and Muslim. Even in the difficult days of the Palestinian intifada, the two
communities in Haifa remained on friendly terms. The reason stems from the 1948 War of
Independence, when Jews and Arabs clashed all over Israel. Whereas in Haifa, even as the
Jews took control of the city, they asked the Arab residents not to flee and seek refuge in
Lebanon. Many of the Arabs of Haifa stayed, trusting the Jews’ assurance that they would
not be mistreated in the new state, and in the 63 years since, this agreement among
neighbors has formed the basis of a respectful relationship.
A good number of streets in Haifa are named for Arab mayors and intellectuals of the pre-
state period. Our street signs are bilingual. The churches and mosques, as well as the gold-
domed Bahai shrine and its stunning gardens, are pilgrimage sites for visitors from around
the world, all under the protection of the Jews.
Indeed, the city’s greatest Jewish virtue is its secular pluralistic spirit. Haifa is a city that
will not succumb to any religious coercion, least of all Jewish. Decades ago, when public
transportation on the Sabbath and holidays was banned throughout the country, our fiercely
socialist mayor insisted on maintaining it, not only to respect the rights of the city’s non-
Jews, but also to enable residents without private cars to go to the beach or visit relatives on
Sabbath. Haifa’s secular transportation policy remains a symbol of its socialist, egalitarian
values—the city has long been nicknamed “Red Haifa”—which endure in the face of Israel’
s strong rightward tendencies, both religious and political. At the same time, the city
government takes care not to affront its religious population. In Orthodox neighborhoods,
streets are closed to traffic on Saturdays, and secular residents do not complain as they do in
other cities. For if your needs are respected, you are considerate of the values and feelings of
others.
Best of all, Haifa enjoys all the advantages of a big city. Yet, unlike Tel Aviv, it is a short
ride away from some of the loveliest rural landscapes in the land: the Galilee, the Carmel
Ridge, the Jezreel Valley. I sometimes think that if Jerusalem continues to embroil us in its
escalating nationalist and religious conflicts, and Tel Aviv ramps up its radical hedonism,
we ought to build a little barricade south of town at Zikhron Yaakov, and establish an
autonomous Haifaite republic—friendly to the rest of Israel, but unique and independent.
After all, it is no coincidence that in 1902, in his wonderful utopian novel Old New Land,
the Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl singled out Haifa as the model city of the future Jewish
state.
Yehoshua is the author, most recently, of Friendly Fire. (This column is translated from the Hebrew by
Stuart Schoffman.)
Haifa: Description of the city
| Some presentations |
| Generalities |
Haifa a many-faceted jewel
31/10/2012 By Elyse Glickman From JewishJournal.com
Visiting Americans often compare Haifa with San Francisco for its hilly landscape and trendy, artsy neighborhoods,
or Boston for its mix of academia and maritime culture. While this northern Israeli city is a weekend getaway for
Jerusalemites and Tel Avivians, Haifa is also worth experiencing as a city of the future, with its expanding
international influence as a high-tech center, or as a quaint port town with a rich, 3,000-year history.
Haifa is also a multicultural metropolis, frequently portrayed as a model of coexistence between Arabs and Jews.
The third-largest city in Israel, it features six faiths and a variety of ethnic communities living together near the sea.
One of the city’s most popular destinations is the Baha’i Gardens. Located on the northern slope of Mount Carmel,
the UNESCO World Heritage site features a staircase of 19 landscaped “hanging gardens” that connect Haifa with
the city of Akko, which holds great significance for Baha’is as the final resting place of their prophet, the Báb. The
Baha’i Gardens offer awe-inspiring, panoramic views of the city, the Galilean hills and the Mediterranean Sea.
At the base of the Baha’i Gardens is the German Colony, the first of several colonies founded in the 19th century by
the German Templars. Among its rustic stone houses is the boutique Colony Hotel (colonyhaifa.com) whose
manager and staff will candidly steer guests to their personal favorite places to eat, drink and shop in this beautifully
preserved area. The surrounding neighborhood, which benefited from a gentrification renaissance in the ’80s and ’
90s, is now peppered with colorful bars, cafes and a mall featuring outlet stores with discounts on several popular
Israeli clothing brands.
Fascinating stories line the streets of the German Colony. Among the landmarks that recount Haifa’s history is the
home of eccentric 19th century author, mystic and diplomat Laurence Oliphant, whose secretary was poet Naftali
Herz Imber, who penned “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem.
The Haifa City Museum (hcm.org.il), or Beit Ha-am (literally, the “People’s House”) is the German Colony’s
keystone. Originally established as a public meeting space and school, several renovations have transformed the
space into a museum with rotating exhibitions that focus on the city’s past and future.
The Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art (tmja.org.il) at the crest of Mount Carmel is home to an impressive collection
of more than 7,000 Japanese treasures donated by architect and art dealer Felix Tikotin. Tikotin’s dream was that
his collection would serve as a means to broaden Israelis’ knowledge about Japan. A few steps away is the Haifa
Museum of Art (hma.org.il), which houses a vivid permanent collection of contemporary painting, sculpture and
prints by Israeli and foreign artists.
Other museums around Haifa include something for every visitor, from the Israeli National Maritime Museum
(nmm.org.il) and MadaTech — The Israeli National Museum of Science (madatech.org.il) to the University of Haifa’
s Hecht Museum (mushecht.haifa.ac.il), the Railway Museum (rail.co.il) and the Museum of Edible Oil Production,
which traces the 2,000-year history of cooking oil in Israel.
To engage in prime people-watching, stop by the “college town” neighborhoods surrounding Haifa University and
the Technion — Israel Institute of Technology. The grounds around the universities constitute an international city
within a city, attracting undergraduate and graduate students from around the world, some of whom work at
Matam, Israel’s first high-tech park, home to R&D divisions for companies such as Google, IBM, Qualcomm,
Microsoft and Yahoo!. One of the most striking spots to witness the city’s diversity is the Old City, which begins at a
point where a historic Ottoman clock tower stands in the shadow of the modern landmark government Sail Tower in
down-town Haifa.
Foodies will appreciate lunch spots like the Allenby Restaurant or scout out pastries, falafel and fruits sold at the
Arab Market in Wadi Nisnas, which skirts the city’s Arab and Christian quarters. Artfully situated murals, metal
sculptures and mosaic tile walls by local artists of different faiths punctuate the area visually, while cardamom and
cumin bring an aromatic sensibility to the place.
Nature lovers may want to head to Dado Beach and Meridian Beach to view rare plants, or venture out on hiking
trails along one of the local rivers (Lotem, Si’akh, Ezov and Akhuza). Mount Carmel National Park is Israel’s
largest national park, featuring approximately 25,000 acres of pine, eucalyptus and cypress forest.
Planning a trip to Israel around Chanukah? Don’t miss an opportunity to see the city during one of its most vibrant
times of year. Extending from Haifa’s Wadi Nisnas neighborhood to the German Colony, the annual Hag Ha
Hagim, or Festival of Festivals, is staged every Saturday throughout December. The festival celebrates Judaism,
Christianity and Islam through music and dance performances, artistic and cultural events, an arts and crafts fair,
and, of course, lots of succulent local food.
31/10/2012 By Elyse Glickman From JewishJournal.com
Visiting Americans often compare Haifa with San Francisco for its hilly landscape and trendy, artsy neighborhoods,
or Boston for its mix of academia and maritime culture. While this northern Israeli city is a weekend getaway for
Jerusalemites and Tel Avivians, Haifa is also worth experiencing as a city of the future, with its expanding
international influence as a high-tech center, or as a quaint port town with a rich, 3,000-year history.
Haifa is also a multicultural metropolis, frequently portrayed as a model of coexistence between Arabs and Jews.
The third-largest city in Israel, it features six faiths and a variety of ethnic communities living together near the sea.
One of the city’s most popular destinations is the Baha’i Gardens. Located on the northern slope of Mount Carmel,
the UNESCO World Heritage site features a staircase of 19 landscaped “hanging gardens” that connect Haifa with
the city of Akko, which holds great significance for Baha’is as the final resting place of their prophet, the Báb. The
Baha’i Gardens offer awe-inspiring, panoramic views of the city, the Galilean hills and the Mediterranean Sea.
At the base of the Baha’i Gardens is the German Colony, the first of several colonies founded in the 19th century by
the German Templars. Among its rustic stone houses is the boutique Colony Hotel (colonyhaifa.com) whose
manager and staff will candidly steer guests to their personal favorite places to eat, drink and shop in this beautifully
preserved area. The surrounding neighborhood, which benefited from a gentrification renaissance in the ’80s and ’
90s, is now peppered with colorful bars, cafes and a mall featuring outlet stores with discounts on several popular
Israeli clothing brands.
Fascinating stories line the streets of the German Colony. Among the landmarks that recount Haifa’s history is the
home of eccentric 19th century author, mystic and diplomat Laurence Oliphant, whose secretary was poet Naftali
Herz Imber, who penned “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem.
The Haifa City Museum (hcm.org.il), or Beit Ha-am (literally, the “People’s House”) is the German Colony’s
keystone. Originally established as a public meeting space and school, several renovations have transformed the
space into a museum with rotating exhibitions that focus on the city’s past and future.
The Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art (tmja.org.il) at the crest of Mount Carmel is home to an impressive collection
of more than 7,000 Japanese treasures donated by architect and art dealer Felix Tikotin. Tikotin’s dream was that
his collection would serve as a means to broaden Israelis’ knowledge about Japan. A few steps away is the Haifa
Museum of Art (hma.org.il), which houses a vivid permanent collection of contemporary painting, sculpture and
prints by Israeli and foreign artists.
Other museums around Haifa include something for every visitor, from the Israeli National Maritime Museum
(nmm.org.il) and MadaTech — The Israeli National Museum of Science (madatech.org.il) to the University of Haifa’
s Hecht Museum (mushecht.haifa.ac.il), the Railway Museum (rail.co.il) and the Museum of Edible Oil Production,
which traces the 2,000-year history of cooking oil in Israel.
To engage in prime people-watching, stop by the “college town” neighborhoods surrounding Haifa University and
the Technion — Israel Institute of Technology. The grounds around the universities constitute an international city
within a city, attracting undergraduate and graduate students from around the world, some of whom work at
Matam, Israel’s first high-tech park, home to R&D divisions for companies such as Google, IBM, Qualcomm,
Microsoft and Yahoo!. One of the most striking spots to witness the city’s diversity is the Old City, which begins at a
point where a historic Ottoman clock tower stands in the shadow of the modern landmark government Sail Tower in
down-town Haifa.
Foodies will appreciate lunch spots like the Allenby Restaurant or scout out pastries, falafel and fruits sold at the
Arab Market in Wadi Nisnas, which skirts the city’s Arab and Christian quarters. Artfully situated murals, metal
sculptures and mosaic tile walls by local artists of different faiths punctuate the area visually, while cardamom and
cumin bring an aromatic sensibility to the place.
Nature lovers may want to head to Dado Beach and Meridian Beach to view rare plants, or venture out on hiking
trails along one of the local rivers (Lotem, Si’akh, Ezov and Akhuza). Mount Carmel National Park is Israel’s
largest national park, featuring approximately 25,000 acres of pine, eucalyptus and cypress forest.
Planning a trip to Israel around Chanukah? Don’t miss an opportunity to see the city during one of its most vibrant
times of year. Extending from Haifa’s Wadi Nisnas neighborhood to the German Colony, the annual Hag Ha
Hagim, or Festival of Festivals, is staged every Saturday throughout December. The festival celebrates Judaism,
Christianity and Islam through music and dance performances, artistic and cultural events, an arts and crafts fair,
and, of course, lots of succulent local food.
IESE Business School Navarra University Center for Globalization and Strategy
Cities in motion report for 2014
Cities in motion report for 2014
Haifa that you do not know
By Renana Halperin, The mouse 18/08/13
Emigration, cultural stagnation and some two events a year have given way in recent months to punk, art, and
crowds of young people. So before leaving for Berlin, think again and consider the new capital of hipsters
Green hills, vast plains, an open bay to the sea, moderate winds, parks and waterways ... From the perspective of the
topography, Haifa seems Too good to be true. . When to all this is further added cultural renewal, convenient
transportation, and the efforts of the municipality to attract young people and artists, and, not least, low rent, one
wonders why many of us still insists to clump together in the center of Tel Aviv, impoverished. The metropolis in
northern Israel, suffered for years of negative migration and cultural stagnation, the lack of attractions such as the
cable and the annual film festival. Recently, however, it seems that Haifa enjoys urban renewal and an accelerated
cultural flowering: positive migration, rising property values and cultural awakening. All signs indicate that the
earth of Haifa is bubbly and we all need to update.
Downtown Haifa
An election year is always a catalyst for increased municipal activity, and indeed Haifa Municipality has recently
been very productive: starting with the port project and the addition of the Carmel terminal, the opening of the
Metronit- part of a revolutionary project in transportation, the emphasis on cultural activities, and perhaps the most
important project, the Space 21 in the downtown. It seems that the municipality has finally implemented what the
world has long understood, urban renewal occurs where young people are. Students and artists attract customers,
strengthen the community around them and permeate life. This population is mostly of low socio-economic strata,
and institutional support is necessary to attract it. In the Project Space 21 initiated by Zahi Terno, spokesman of the
municipality, the municipality has appealed to artists, offering a studio for two years, in areas which in the past
consisted of abandoned spaces, without paying rent and with a reduction in municipal taxes. Out of 160 candidates,
21 were selected and joined the pioneering companies active in this area. The result, it seems, has exceeded
expectations: the artists formerly of Haifa, Tel Aviv and around the country came to live and create in the Red City.
Known Tel Aviv brands were established as Assufa VeMaasia, which operated at the flea market, "Unger" Gan
HaHashmal, Ahat Ahat flea market in Jerusalem, "Pua" gallery and cultural center "New and nasty" of the
Maayan group, Micah Shitrit’s music studio and studios in all areas. " In Haifa we have a golden opportunity," says
Leer Stern, who heads Things with Naama Lahat, a store that offers an elite collections and cultural events on the
sides "I lived in Tel Aviv, I was engaged in fashion but there was no way to start a studio because of the rent. Now it
is an entirely possible move. It is like being in Soho, a scene of young artists that create constantly. "
The change does not manifest itself only in the lower town, but also in Hadar, at the foot of the mountain, which
shows signs of new life: the creation of a student village attracts young people, and is accompanied by an
awakening of residents, private initiatives and businesses. A welcome move in Hadar, Bamania, for example, takes
place once a week for two months, and offers outdoor arts events: a ten shekels ticket provides access to art galleries,
musicians, dancers, Fringe performances, discounts for food and drinks, free transportation within the city, and all
with local creations. The artists and the public use these subsidized cards and enjoy privileged conditions. "After two
very successful seasons I expect Bamania three give scholarships to ensembles, provided they are in the area, said
Hadas Ben Artzi, the project initiator and artistic director." The ultimate goal was to provide cultural content to the
community and support to local artists. "and it seems that besides the established events, there is a very crystallized
community life. In the Hadar neighborhood there are people who go to the end, said Ben-Artzi "We have
community meals on Friday in which all take to the streets with dishes. At the same time I work so that there are
rehearsal spaces for artists and many community events. The municipality is sometimes acts retroactively and
subsidizes events, but things remain of a clandestine nature. "
• Fringe Youth
Changes in the city are seen in urban life, but like everywhere in the world, when there is a real change, it is often
reflected in art: for years, the Haifa Art Museum, the third largest museum in the country, trampled and was not
noticed on the national stage. Atwo years ago, Ruthi Direktor was appointed Chief Curator and began to make it live
again. Direktor has given the goal of linking the museum to urban life and through exhibitions and bold ideas, the
museum began to attract audience from remote areas of the country. Besides Haifa institutional art, one can see the
animated movement of the underground art: Broken Fingaz under the Ghostown label, is perhaps the best known,
working for over ten years. Soon they will go on a world tour in Europe in Mexico and New York. Often they say it
is the boredom of living in the outskirts that inspired them to create , their isolation of the scene of Tel Aviv
distanced them and prevented them from being influenced, so that their knowl-how is associated with young , raw,
crude and original punk. Under the name Broken Fingaz they create street art, posters, album covers, T-shirts,
animate a gallery and shop and inspire many street culture artists, showing their presence in the streets of Haifa.
If there is something that the periphery is able to create it is an original and lively fringe culture, music in Haifa is a
good example. for years. Haifa has exported some of the best punk bands in the country, such as Carmela Gros and
Wagner, Useless ID, Bolabar, Stella Maris and artists like Uzi Navon and Talek- Indie. "In our time, the scene was
psychic," said Ishay Berger, Useless ID guitarist and soloist Bolabar. At 17, I worked at City Hall and all the big
bands were there, Sonic Youth, Rage Against the machine ; a thousand people came to each concert. As we
vanished, there was a feeling that the scene was dead, and that there was no one to replace it. "But Berger believes
that there is something new in the air "We recently played at WunderBar and it was really crazy, it moves around.
The Syrup brings many groups and this is quite incredible. "Not only the Punk flourished in Haifa, artists like Miss
Red, Easy Rider Sound, P Sweetshop Boys and the successful duo 3421, all artists that come out of the Israeli
beaten track, are known abroad, and attract many artists and revelers to the city. "In Haifa, unlike Tel Aviv, there is
no necessity for definitions, you must not be part of a specific scene, simply because there are not enough scenes,"
says Jose, half of the 3421 group, on their return from an international tour. "It has taken us many stages and
made us absorb a lot of different things, and this is reflected in our music." Although the duo actually spends most
of its time abroad, he was also able to note the changes "There is a sense of a second wave in Haifa, but it is not of
the same magnitude as in Jerusalem, for example, and this wave is not hungry for nightlife here .There are no big
club, you can not play after 23: 00, there are groups and friends, but we have yet to open here a great club, then
things will really change. I do not think Haifa is more attractive, just that Tel Aviv is down during the years. "
The best time to observe the urban development may be when the lights go out: a young community often brings a
bustling nightlife, and the new Haifa changes are unquestionably considerable. "Recently, we have reached a golden
age in Haifa," says Nimrod Rotem, filmmaker, blogger, producer and accomplished man "For six years, my friends
and I have organized parties in Haifa. I recently left this area and I have to say I have not really noticed my absence!
the city is full of action. For the first time, we are debating to choose where to go, there is literally Bar Hopping and
we no longer have to depend on DJs from Tel Aviv. The scene focuses on the Syrup with Ben Riftin, who manages
to create a culture and nightlife to the highest standards and to provide the best performances: The Dirty Beaches
group opened its tour in Israel in Haifa, the best DJs and country groups appear, and this in parallel with activities
and cultural lectures on various topics. "Two months ago we opened HaMirpesset, says Shai Amsalem of the
Ghosttown label. HaMirpesset in the heart of Hadar is a bar-restaurant-gallery, which brings the arts from abroad
and Israel, and aims to make the essential connection between art and merchandizing, providing vegetarian food,
imported beer, phonograph music and sea breeze "It still gives an air of hardcore, but who would have thought that
in Hadar, every day revelers would find a reasonable place to go out at 1 am?" says Amsalem "There is no reason
that this scene will not develop. In Tel Aviv the cost is exorbitant, in Jerusalem there is no sea and Haifa has the sea
and you can live with a certain quality of life "
Tel Aviv versus Haifa
Urban processes present some complexity, even if they have a positive face. With the rise in popularity and renewal
of the city, the demand for real estate increases, prices go up - a surprising trend. For years the Carmel area was
appreciated as the middle-class neighborhood of Haifa, but recently a reversal is looming: the Municipality of Haifa
has launched a strategic project of the city center with the construction of a new port and the transformation of this
area into a business center, which automatically increases the price. Today the situation in Haifa is opposite to the
global trend, with property prices down by the sea; the municipality wants to change this. The municipality plans to
channel money to finance urban development and real estate, and believes that in ten years the property prices will
be 15% higher than the price on the Carmel. "The apartments here are selling very quickly and there is a lot of
movement," says Stern, "The talk is of a beginning, but the region has become more popular and the cost of rent
and other prices are rising in parallel" . Some days ago Globes reported that the Almog Company sold 101
apartments in a week at the entrance to Haifa for a total of 125 million shekels, most buyers are local residents and
the remaining investors from Tel Aviv. In Kiryat Bialik 4500 housing units are being built, and the city of Haifa will
build the new stadium Sammy Ofer that will accommodate 30,000 spectators. in the Students Village project, the
municipality gives 1,500 shekels for those living in some streets, that makes this project attractive for students and
for investors. In recent weeks, there has been a sharp increase in investment demand in the city and particularly in
Hadar. Since the beginning of the year demand increased by 25% since this time last year.
Rising prices and demand in real estate are not the only symptoms due to urban development, it should be
remembered that developing neighborhoods that have been inhabited for years and urban renewal also affects this
population. "We did an exhibit New and evil, reflecting the process that is going on here," said Natalie Levine
"This is a very complex process. It seems that young people who come here bloom, but they do so at the expense of
something that already exists. There is a whole generation of people who lived here for years, mostly of a lower
socioeconomic status and we need to understand what to do with them. You can not see that gentrification
uncritically. "Levin and her partners have decided to set up a residents' association to form part of the decision-
making process of the municipality." It seems that the momentum of the municipality is led in a very precise and
planned manner"she adds," alongside the exhibitions we also have meetings of the Association, to which we bring
in experts in urban renewal procedures to explain to those who live here that to partner gives strength and that we
must establish a long-term plan, which will lead to a positive inflow in both directions. Nimrod Rotem did not hasten
to encourage the Municipality of Haifa: "The city commemorates the remoteness, they do not understand how a city
works and ignore the natural processes; they are still trying to establish a single center. For years Hadar has been
neglected and suddenly came students who established the Student Village. the city saw that there are lucrative
opportunities and decided to get involved "Unlike Rotem, Shai Amsalem is very interested in the establishment of
involvement and support. "This is a remarkable change and it would be a shame if it was not supported by local
authorities. It seems that those in power prefer to pay a fortune to bring in sleazy pop singers than to invest in real
art that grows from the bottom, This is due to lack of awareness of global standards. a considerable number of
artists working day and night and could be noticed if only they could get help. "
The awakening within the residents or the hand that guides the municipality, it seems that all the elements come
together to form a new Haifa. "There is a movement of people from Tel Aviv who come here and former residents
returning to Haifa," concludes Nimrod Retem, "Not because they failed, but because it is a good time now, there is
a balance that can not be said about Tel Aviv. In Tel Aviv everyone is impatient, that creates a slightly psychotic
atmosphere. Here it is nice and Keif, every person who does something reaches, how do you say?, a level. "It seems
that the love-hate relationship with Tel Aviv is a key factor that brings people to Haifa, "Tel Aviv is very temporary
and insufficient, there is no privacy," said Ben-Artzi, "the apartment is temporary, the companion occasional, v
employment temporary and as there is always things going on, most are engulfed. Here there is a sense of intimacy
and simplicity, with a lot of creation ".
By Renana Halperin, The mouse 18/08/13
Emigration, cultural stagnation and some two events a year have given way in recent months to punk, art, and
crowds of young people. So before leaving for Berlin, think again and consider the new capital of hipsters
Green hills, vast plains, an open bay to the sea, moderate winds, parks and waterways ... From the perspective of the
topography, Haifa seems Too good to be true. . When to all this is further added cultural renewal, convenient
transportation, and the efforts of the municipality to attract young people and artists, and, not least, low rent, one
wonders why many of us still insists to clump together in the center of Tel Aviv, impoverished. The metropolis in
northern Israel, suffered for years of negative migration and cultural stagnation, the lack of attractions such as the
cable and the annual film festival. Recently, however, it seems that Haifa enjoys urban renewal and an accelerated
cultural flowering: positive migration, rising property values and cultural awakening. All signs indicate that the
earth of Haifa is bubbly and we all need to update.
Downtown Haifa
An election year is always a catalyst for increased municipal activity, and indeed Haifa Municipality has recently
been very productive: starting with the port project and the addition of the Carmel terminal, the opening of the
Metronit- part of a revolutionary project in transportation, the emphasis on cultural activities, and perhaps the most
important project, the Space 21 in the downtown. It seems that the municipality has finally implemented what the
world has long understood, urban renewal occurs where young people are. Students and artists attract customers,
strengthen the community around them and permeate life. This population is mostly of low socio-economic strata,
and institutional support is necessary to attract it. In the Project Space 21 initiated by Zahi Terno, spokesman of the
municipality, the municipality has appealed to artists, offering a studio for two years, in areas which in the past
consisted of abandoned spaces, without paying rent and with a reduction in municipal taxes. Out of 160 candidates,
21 were selected and joined the pioneering companies active in this area. The result, it seems, has exceeded
expectations: the artists formerly of Haifa, Tel Aviv and around the country came to live and create in the Red City.
Known Tel Aviv brands were established as Assufa VeMaasia, which operated at the flea market, "Unger" Gan
HaHashmal, Ahat Ahat flea market in Jerusalem, "Pua" gallery and cultural center "New and nasty" of the
Maayan group, Micah Shitrit’s music studio and studios in all areas. " In Haifa we have a golden opportunity," says
Leer Stern, who heads Things with Naama Lahat, a store that offers an elite collections and cultural events on the
sides "I lived in Tel Aviv, I was engaged in fashion but there was no way to start a studio because of the rent. Now it
is an entirely possible move. It is like being in Soho, a scene of young artists that create constantly. "
The change does not manifest itself only in the lower town, but also in Hadar, at the foot of the mountain, which
shows signs of new life: the creation of a student village attracts young people, and is accompanied by an
awakening of residents, private initiatives and businesses. A welcome move in Hadar, Bamania, for example, takes
place once a week for two months, and offers outdoor arts events: a ten shekels ticket provides access to art galleries,
musicians, dancers, Fringe performances, discounts for food and drinks, free transportation within the city, and all
with local creations. The artists and the public use these subsidized cards and enjoy privileged conditions. "After two
very successful seasons I expect Bamania three give scholarships to ensembles, provided they are in the area, said
Hadas Ben Artzi, the project initiator and artistic director." The ultimate goal was to provide cultural content to the
community and support to local artists. "and it seems that besides the established events, there is a very crystallized
community life. In the Hadar neighborhood there are people who go to the end, said Ben-Artzi "We have
community meals on Friday in which all take to the streets with dishes. At the same time I work so that there are
rehearsal spaces for artists and many community events. The municipality is sometimes acts retroactively and
subsidizes events, but things remain of a clandestine nature. "
• Fringe Youth
Changes in the city are seen in urban life, but like everywhere in the world, when there is a real change, it is often
reflected in art: for years, the Haifa Art Museum, the third largest museum in the country, trampled and was not
noticed on the national stage. Atwo years ago, Ruthi Direktor was appointed Chief Curator and began to make it live
again. Direktor has given the goal of linking the museum to urban life and through exhibitions and bold ideas, the
museum began to attract audience from remote areas of the country. Besides Haifa institutional art, one can see the
animated movement of the underground art: Broken Fingaz under the Ghostown label, is perhaps the best known,
working for over ten years. Soon they will go on a world tour in Europe in Mexico and New York. Often they say it
is the boredom of living in the outskirts that inspired them to create , their isolation of the scene of Tel Aviv
distanced them and prevented them from being influenced, so that their knowl-how is associated with young , raw,
crude and original punk. Under the name Broken Fingaz they create street art, posters, album covers, T-shirts,
animate a gallery and shop and inspire many street culture artists, showing their presence in the streets of Haifa.
If there is something that the periphery is able to create it is an original and lively fringe culture, music in Haifa is a
good example. for years. Haifa has exported some of the best punk bands in the country, such as Carmela Gros and
Wagner, Useless ID, Bolabar, Stella Maris and artists like Uzi Navon and Talek- Indie. "In our time, the scene was
psychic," said Ishay Berger, Useless ID guitarist and soloist Bolabar. At 17, I worked at City Hall and all the big
bands were there, Sonic Youth, Rage Against the machine ; a thousand people came to each concert. As we
vanished, there was a feeling that the scene was dead, and that there was no one to replace it. "But Berger believes
that there is something new in the air "We recently played at WunderBar and it was really crazy, it moves around.
The Syrup brings many groups and this is quite incredible. "Not only the Punk flourished in Haifa, artists like Miss
Red, Easy Rider Sound, P Sweetshop Boys and the successful duo 3421, all artists that come out of the Israeli
beaten track, are known abroad, and attract many artists and revelers to the city. "In Haifa, unlike Tel Aviv, there is
no necessity for definitions, you must not be part of a specific scene, simply because there are not enough scenes,"
says Jose, half of the 3421 group, on their return from an international tour. "It has taken us many stages and
made us absorb a lot of different things, and this is reflected in our music." Although the duo actually spends most
of its time abroad, he was also able to note the changes "There is a sense of a second wave in Haifa, but it is not of
the same magnitude as in Jerusalem, for example, and this wave is not hungry for nightlife here .There are no big
club, you can not play after 23: 00, there are groups and friends, but we have yet to open here a great club, then
things will really change. I do not think Haifa is more attractive, just that Tel Aviv is down during the years. "
The best time to observe the urban development may be when the lights go out: a young community often brings a
bustling nightlife, and the new Haifa changes are unquestionably considerable. "Recently, we have reached a golden
age in Haifa," says Nimrod Rotem, filmmaker, blogger, producer and accomplished man "For six years, my friends
and I have organized parties in Haifa. I recently left this area and I have to say I have not really noticed my absence!
the city is full of action. For the first time, we are debating to choose where to go, there is literally Bar Hopping and
we no longer have to depend on DJs from Tel Aviv. The scene focuses on the Syrup with Ben Riftin, who manages
to create a culture and nightlife to the highest standards and to provide the best performances: The Dirty Beaches
group opened its tour in Israel in Haifa, the best DJs and country groups appear, and this in parallel with activities
and cultural lectures on various topics. "Two months ago we opened HaMirpesset, says Shai Amsalem of the
Ghosttown label. HaMirpesset in the heart of Hadar is a bar-restaurant-gallery, which brings the arts from abroad
and Israel, and aims to make the essential connection between art and merchandizing, providing vegetarian food,
imported beer, phonograph music and sea breeze "It still gives an air of hardcore, but who would have thought that
in Hadar, every day revelers would find a reasonable place to go out at 1 am?" says Amsalem "There is no reason
that this scene will not develop. In Tel Aviv the cost is exorbitant, in Jerusalem there is no sea and Haifa has the sea
and you can live with a certain quality of life "
Tel Aviv versus Haifa
Urban processes present some complexity, even if they have a positive face. With the rise in popularity and renewal
of the city, the demand for real estate increases, prices go up - a surprising trend. For years the Carmel area was
appreciated as the middle-class neighborhood of Haifa, but recently a reversal is looming: the Municipality of Haifa
has launched a strategic project of the city center with the construction of a new port and the transformation of this
area into a business center, which automatically increases the price. Today the situation in Haifa is opposite to the
global trend, with property prices down by the sea; the municipality wants to change this. The municipality plans to
channel money to finance urban development and real estate, and believes that in ten years the property prices will
be 15% higher than the price on the Carmel. "The apartments here are selling very quickly and there is a lot of
movement," says Stern, "The talk is of a beginning, but the region has become more popular and the cost of rent
and other prices are rising in parallel" . Some days ago Globes reported that the Almog Company sold 101
apartments in a week at the entrance to Haifa for a total of 125 million shekels, most buyers are local residents and
the remaining investors from Tel Aviv. In Kiryat Bialik 4500 housing units are being built, and the city of Haifa will
build the new stadium Sammy Ofer that will accommodate 30,000 spectators. in the Students Village project, the
municipality gives 1,500 shekels for those living in some streets, that makes this project attractive for students and
for investors. In recent weeks, there has been a sharp increase in investment demand in the city and particularly in
Hadar. Since the beginning of the year demand increased by 25% since this time last year.
Rising prices and demand in real estate are not the only symptoms due to urban development, it should be
remembered that developing neighborhoods that have been inhabited for years and urban renewal also affects this
population. "We did an exhibit New and evil, reflecting the process that is going on here," said Natalie Levine
"This is a very complex process. It seems that young people who come here bloom, but they do so at the expense of
something that already exists. There is a whole generation of people who lived here for years, mostly of a lower
socioeconomic status and we need to understand what to do with them. You can not see that gentrification
uncritically. "Levin and her partners have decided to set up a residents' association to form part of the decision-
making process of the municipality." It seems that the momentum of the municipality is led in a very precise and
planned manner"she adds," alongside the exhibitions we also have meetings of the Association, to which we bring
in experts in urban renewal procedures to explain to those who live here that to partner gives strength and that we
must establish a long-term plan, which will lead to a positive inflow in both directions. Nimrod Rotem did not hasten
to encourage the Municipality of Haifa: "The city commemorates the remoteness, they do not understand how a city
works and ignore the natural processes; they are still trying to establish a single center. For years Hadar has been
neglected and suddenly came students who established the Student Village. the city saw that there are lucrative
opportunities and decided to get involved "Unlike Rotem, Shai Amsalem is very interested in the establishment of
involvement and support. "This is a remarkable change and it would be a shame if it was not supported by local
authorities. It seems that those in power prefer to pay a fortune to bring in sleazy pop singers than to invest in real
art that grows from the bottom, This is due to lack of awareness of global standards. a considerable number of
artists working day and night and could be noticed if only they could get help. "
The awakening within the residents or the hand that guides the municipality, it seems that all the elements come
together to form a new Haifa. "There is a movement of people from Tel Aviv who come here and former residents
returning to Haifa," concludes Nimrod Retem, "Not because they failed, but because it is a good time now, there is
a balance that can not be said about Tel Aviv. In Tel Aviv everyone is impatient, that creates a slightly psychotic
atmosphere. Here it is nice and Keif, every person who does something reaches, how do you say?, a level. "It seems
that the love-hate relationship with Tel Aviv is a key factor that brings people to Haifa, "Tel Aviv is very temporary
and insufficient, there is no privacy," said Ben-Artzi, "the apartment is temporary, the companion occasional, v
employment temporary and as there is always things going on, most are engulfed. Here there is a sense of intimacy
and simplicity, with a lot of creation ".