Or Yehuda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Or Yehuda
אוֹר יְהוּדָה
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| Hebrew transcription(s) | |||
| • ISO 259 | ʔor Yhuda | ||
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 Or Yehuda
Location in Israel
Or Yehuda
Location in Central Israel
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| Country |  Israel |
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| District |  Tel Aviv |
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| Founded | 3500 BCE (Earliest settlement) 2000 BCE (Biblical city of Ono) 1955 (Israeli city) |
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| Area | |||
| • Total | 6,500 dunams (6.5 km2 or 2.5 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2017)
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| • Total | 36,706 | ||
| Name meaning | Judah's Light | ||
Or Yehuda (Hebrew: אוֹר יְהוּדָה, Arabic: أور يهودا) is a small city in Israel. It is located in the Tel Aviv District, which is part of the Gush Dan area. In 2017, about 36,706 people lived there. The name "Or Yehuda" means "Judah's Light" in Hebrew.
Contents
A Look at Or Yehuda's History
Early Settlements in Or Yehuda
People have lived in the area of Or Yehuda for a very long time. Evidence shows settlements from the Chalcolithic period, which was a time when people started using copper tools.
Ancient Times and the Bible
Or Yehuda is built on the site of an old biblical town called Ono. This name was used by the Canaanites and later by the Israelites. The town is even mentioned in the Bible (1 Chronicles 8:12). Ancient Jewish writings say that Ono was once surrounded by a wall. This was true during the time of the First and Second Temple periods.
Ottoman Rule in the Area
The land where Or Yehuda now stands was once home to two Arab villages: Kafr 'Ana to the east and Saqiya to the west. These villages existed at least since the 1500s. At that time, a powerful queen named Roxelana (also known as Hürrem Sultan) gave these villages to support her soup kitchen in Jerusalem.
During the 1700s and 1800s, this area was part of a larger sub-district called Lydda. This region was very important for farming and had many villages with thousands of people.
British Mandate Period
The British Mandate authorities conducted a census in 1931. It showed that Kafr 'Ana had 1,824 Muslim residents living in 449 houses. Saqiya had 663 Muslim residents in 142 houses.
The 1948 War
In April 1948, a military operation called Hametz took place. The goal was to take control of villages near Jaffa to separate it from the surrounding Arab areas. The residents of Kafr 'Ana and Saqiya left their homes during this time.
The State of Israel is Formed
Temporary Homes (1949-1955)
After Israel was established, in 1949, new immigrants from Libya and Turkey moved into the old buildings of Saqiya and Kafr 'Ana. These places did not have basic services like water or sewage systems.
From 1950 to 1953, temporary settlements called ma'abarot were set up on the lands of the former villages. These ma'abarot were mainly for immigrants from Iraq who arrived during Operation Ezra and Nehemiah. The authorities saw these as temporary places until people could move to permanent homes.
Some people wanted the nearby cities of Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan to take over these temporary settlements, but this did not happen. The residents also did not want to move to new towns in other parts of the country. In 1952, a religious settlement called Ramat Pinkas was created for some of the ma'abarot residents.
Or Yehuda is Established (1955)
The modern town of Or Yehuda was officially founded by Israel in 1955. It was named after Judah Alkalai, an important figure. In 1962, Or Yehuda became a municipal planning authority, which helped it grow a lot. Because its population increased, Or Yehuda was declared a city in 1988.
In 2008, some nearby lands, including Ramat Pinkas, became part of Or Yehuda.
Population Information
In 2001, almost everyone living in Or Yehuda (100%) was Jewish. There were slightly more females (14,000) than males (13,900). The population included many young people, with 34.6% being 19 years old or younger. About 8.2% of the population was 65 years or older. The city's population grew by 3.4% in 2001.
Economy and Businesses
Or Yehuda is home to some interesting companies. Babylon Ltd., a company that creates online translation programs, is based here. They even hold a Guinness World Record for having the most downloads of their language software! The main office of the National Roads Company of Israel, which manages roads across the country, is also located in Or Yehuda.
Education and Culture
In 2000, Or Yehuda had 14 schools with a total of 5,147 students. This included 10 elementary schools and 6 high schools. In 2001, about 55.7% of 12th graders earned their matriculation certificate, which is like a high school diploma.
Or Yehuda was one of the first cities to join a special program for talented math students in 1982. This program was started by Professor Zvi Arad and Bernark Pinchuk at Bar-Ilan University. One student from Or Yehuda, Boaz Tsaban, won national awards in this program and is now a math professor himself.
The Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center is a museum in Or Yehuda. It opened in 1988 and tells the story of the Iraqi Jewish community. The museum also has a library that people can visit by making an appointment.
Sports in Or Yehuda
Or Yehuda has a football team called F.C. Ironi Or Yehuda. They play in the Liga Alef South Division, which is the fourth level of Israeli football. In 2019, their goalkeeper, Isaak Hayik, who was 73 years old, broke a Guinness World Record for being the oldest player in a professional game!
Famous People from Or Yehuda
- Elida Gera (1931-2017), a film director, dancer, and choreographer.
- Isaak Hayik (born 1945), a football player.
- David Mena (born 1953), a lawyer and former politician.
Sister Cities
Or Yehuda has special connections with cities in other countries. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities":
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany
Milwaukee, USA – a sister city since 1978
See also
In Spanish: Or Yehuda para niños
