About Oranit

The Oranit settlement is a town with a community character.

Oranit is placed on the western slopes of the Shomron mountains, North West from Petach Tikva, North from Rosh Ha Ayin and South West from Hod Ha Sharon and Kfar Saba.

The Oranit resident's houses are mostly ground hugging with red roofs and well-maintained gardens all along beautifully rolling hills and next to the Keren Kayemet woods.

The origin of the name Oranit is derived from the Oak (Oren in Hebrew) woods that grow all along the settlement's West side.

Oranit was founded upon government's decision #ht-52 of May 19, 1983 upon which the project was placed in the hands of the private contractor "Delta" the outcome of which is that Oranit differs from other settlements.

The first to settle did so in 1985.

The placement of Oranit, the way of life and the modern communal services offered increased the demand for building sites and caused a marked population growth. In 1990 Oranit was declared an "Independent Council" and appointed a Head of Council.

After two years in which the network for municipal functions were laid down the first elections were held in which the members of council elected were out of Oranit residents. Mr. Zvika Ma-Yafit was elected head of the Council.

Population.

The Oranit population is comprised mainly of people who lived previously in Metropolis Petach Tikva, Hod Ha Sharon and Kfar Saba striving to improve their quality of life.

The Oranit population is currently 1100 households, about 5500 residents. 15% religious living in a separate part of the settlement in perfect harmony with the rest of the residents. Future planning calls for 2500 households and 12000 residents.

Boundaries, land appropriation and future building.

Oranit is located North East of Petach Tikva, West of Kibbutz Ha Horshim and the Ha Horshim forest and to the south of Kibbutz Nirit.

The municipal borders of Oranit are 750 dunams and the jurisdictional area of the council is 1750 dunams.

Oranit has to this day 1100 built units, the majority of which are low buildings either single or duplex. Some (150) are escalated.

In the future, there are plans for three additional suburbs i.e. 650 units to the East and 250 to the West.

Head of council.

Mr. Zvika Ma-Yafit is the first elected head of the council since 1992. Now he is into his second term.

Mr. Zvika Ma-Yafit served in the army Nachal unit and after that was a tank commander.

Within the Nachal Zvika pursued the Kibbutz idea in Kibbutz Alumot in the Jordan valley for 15 years. At the same time he pursued his studies in economics and administration in the Bar-Ilan University. He studied engineering and administration in the Rupin academy in the year he was in Kibbutz Milla. There he served in senior positions in the management of the kibbutz which combined both economic and social factors. Lately he achieved a masters degree in public affairs management.

Since the election of the local council Mr.Zvika Ma-Yafit has been dedicated to development which includes roads, sidewalks the community organization including the formal education system, youth, culture and sport.

updated at : 21-10-2000