“Poalei Agudat Yisrael” a mouthful isn’t it? That’s how Ramat Hen got its original name Pagi. We are standing in Ramat Hen. It is now one of the southern neighborhoods of Netanya. But it wasn’t always part of Netanya.
Originally, Poalei Agudat Yisrael founded this area. Pagi is the Hebrew acronym for it. The founders envisioned a community rooted in their values. Eventually, Ramat Hen became integrated into the expanding city of Netanya.
Netanya began much earlier. It started with a purchase of land in 1928. Some 1400 dunams were acquired from Sheikh Hamdan. The Sheikh reportedly gave a good price. He claimed he wasn’t selling. He said he was receiving a custodial fee. This was for the 2000 years Arabs held the land for the Jews.
Netanya itself is named after Nathan Straus. He was a Jewish American philanthropist. Straus co-owned Macy’s. The founders hoped he would donate to Netanya. He had already given most of his fortune away. But they decided to keep the name anyway.
Netanya’s early days faced challenges. The 1929 Palestine riots set back development. Still, the community persevered. Cornerstones for the first houses were laid that Sukkot.
Over time, Netanya grew. It became a tourist destination. The British architect Clifford Holliday even designed a plan in 1933 for Netanya as a tourist resort. The city was divided into three sections. There was a tourism district by the coast. There were also areas for housing and agriculture.
Ramat Hen joined Netanya. This happened as Netanya expanded after the establishment of Israel. Netanya was declared a city in 1948. The city annexed surrounding areas like Ramat Tiomkin and Ramat Ephraim.
Netanya continued to grow. Waves of Jewish immigrants arrived. Many came from Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The city’s population boomed.
Today, Netanya is a major city. It is known for its beautiful beaches. Netanya has a population of over 230,000 people. It serves as a regional center. The city continues to develop. There are plans for more housing and a new marina. Netanya aims to become a major tourist hub.
Even though Ramat Hen is now part of a larger city it still retains its unique identity. Its origins as a settlement. Founded by Poalei Agudat Yisrael. It shaped its character.