Or Akiva

Or Akiva אוֹר עֲקִיבָא‎‎
City
Or Akiva Or Akiva Show map of Haifa region of IsraelShow map of IsraelShow all
Coordinates: 32°30′N 34°55′E / 32.500°N 34.917°E / 32.500; 34.917Coordinates: 32°30′N 34°55′E / 32.500°N 34.917°E / 32.500; 34.917
District	Haifa
Founded	1951
Government
• Mayor	Yaakov Edri
Area
• Total	3,539 dunams (3.539 km2 or 1.366 sq mi)
Population  (2019)[1]
• Total	18,972
• Density	5,400/km2 (14,000/sq mi)

Or Akiva (Hebrew: אוֹר עֲקִיבָא‎) (light of Akiva–in memory of Rabbi Akiva who was tortured and killed at this locale) is a city located in the Haifa District of Israel, on the country's coastal plain. It is located just inland from the ancient port city of Caesarea and the Mediterranean Sea, and to the north of the city of Hadera. It is 48 kilometres (30 miles) south of Haifa and 39 km (24 mi) north of Tel Aviv. In 2019 it had a population of 18,972.^[1] The city's logo is inscribed with a Biblical verse from Job 8:7: "Your beginnings will be humble, so prosperous will your future be."

Or Akiva Music Center

Or Akiva Public library

Demographics[]

According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), at the end of 2005 the city had a total population of 15,800, making it is the least-populous city in Israel. According to CBS, in 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was 99.3% Jewish and other non-Arab, with no significant Arab population. There were 7,400 males and 7,900 females. The population of the city was spread out, with 33.7% 19 years of age or younger, 15.4% between 20 and 29, 20.8% between 30 and 44, 16.3% from 45 to 59, 4.1% from 60 to 64, and 9.7% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was -0.1%.

Economy[]

Or Akiva is home to a number of large industrial plants, among them Dexxon (pharmaceuticals), Anna Lotan Ltd. (professional skin care), Darbox Ltd. (plastic packaging), Meprolight (gunsights and nightvision), Plasson (livestock feeders), STI Laser Industries Ltd.^[2] and Tyco International (electronics).

Education[]

According to CBS, there are 10 schools and 2,409 students in the city. They are spread out, as 6 elementary schools and 1,575 elementary school students, and 5 high schools and 834 high school students. 51.9% of 12th grade students were entitled to a matriculation certificate in 2001.

Since 2005 gap year volunteers from Habonim Dror have volunteered in the town and surrounding areas working in schools and in extracurricular frameworks with Arab and Jewish youth.

Notable residents[]

• Rafi Dahan, footballer
• Eran Levy, footballer
• Lior Refaelov, footballer

International relations[]

Twin towns — sister cities[]

Or Akiva is twinned with:

• Miami, United States (Or Akiva has twinned with the Jewish community in Miami)
• Hîncești, Moldova

References[]

External links[]

• Or Akiva Municipality (in Hebrew)
• Or Akiva civic auditorium (in Hebrew)