Hadera
Hebrew transcription(s)
• Hebrew	חֲדֵרָה
• ISO 259	Ḥdera
Arabic transcription(s)
• Arabic	الخضيرة
Logo
Hadera
Coordinates: 32°27′N 34°55′E / 32.45°N 34.917°E / 32.45; 34.917Coordinates: 32°27′N 34°55′E / 32.45°N 34.917°E / 32.45; 34.917
District	Haifa
Founded	1890
Government
• Type	City (from 1952)
• Mayor	Chaim Avitan
Area
• Total	53,000 dunams (53 km2 or 20 sq mi)
Population (2009)[1]
• Total	80,200
Name meaning	Green (in Arabic)
Website	www.hadera.muni.il

Hadera (Hebrew: חֲדֵרָה‎‎, Ḥadera; Arabic: الخضيرة‎, Al-Ḫuḍayraḧ) is a city located in the Haifa District of Israel approximately 45 kilometers (28.0 mi) from the major cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa. The city is located along 7 kilometers (4 mi) of the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain. The city has a population of 80,200 which includes a high proportion of immigrants arriving since 1990, notably from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union.^[1]

Hadera was established in 1891 as a farming colony by members of the Zionist group, Hovevei Zion, from Lithuania and Latvia. By 1948, it was a regional center with a population of 11,800. It was declared a city in 1952. With an area of jurisdiction of 53,000 dunams.^[2]

Several projects are under way to improve the quality of life in Hadera, including regenerating the city center, constructing a hi-tech business park, and building the world's largest desalination plant.^[2]

History[link]

Early years[link]

Hadera was founded in 1891, in the early days modern Zionism by Eastern European immigrants from Lithuania and Latvia on land purchased by Yehoshua Hankin, known as the Redeemer of the Valley.^[2][3] The land was purchased from Christian effendi Selim Khuri. This was the largest purchase of land in Palestine by a Zionist group, although the land was of low quality and mostly swampland. The only inhabitants prior to the purchase were a few families raising water buffaloes and selling reeds.^[4] The town may derive its name from the Arabic word khadra, meaning "green" in reference to the wild weeds which covered the marshes on which the town is built.^[3]

The first settlers lived in a house known as the Khan near Hadera's main synagogue.^[5] Initially, Hadera was a lonely outpost of 10 families and 4 guards. In its early years, however, the town had issues with land ownership having drained the swamps with the aid of Egyptian workers sent to them by Baron Edmond de Rothschild.^[6]

Old tombstones in the local cemetery reveal that out of a population of 540, 210 died of malaria.^[7] Relations between the residents of Hadera and neighboring Bedouins were poor and HaShomer organization was assigned to guarding the fields. By the early twentieth century, the town had become a regional economic center.^[2] Land disputes in the area were resolved by the 1930s, by which time, the population had grown to 2,002 in 1931.^[3][4] Free schooling was introduced in the city in 1937 in all schools apart from the Histadrut school.^[8]

After 1948[link]

Hadera's Great Synagogue

Hadera's population began to grow dramatically after Israeli independence in 1948 as immigrants flocked to the country. Among the immigrants to the city were Russian and other European immigrants and also 40 Yemenite families.^[7] In 1964, Hadera was declared a city,^[2] and in 1953, Israel's first paper mill opened in the city. Sponsored by investors from within Israel as well as from the United States, Brazil, and Australia, the mill was designed to meet all of Israel's paper needs.^[9] It was also at this time that the Givat Olga neighborhood was constructed on the coast, and Beit Eliezer in the east of the city.^[2]

From the 1990s[link]

The city grew dramatically during the 1990s as it absorbed large numbers of Russian and Ethiopian immigrants.^[2][3] Hadera, considered a safe place by its inhabitants, was jolted by several acts of terrorism, including a massacre of six civilians at a Bat Mitzvah^[10] and a suicide bomber who blew himself up at a falafel stand on October 26, 2005, killing seven civilians^[11][12], and 55 were injured, of them five in severe condition.^[13] However, since the construction of the nearby West Bank barrier, the frequency of such incidents has dropped drastically. On August 4, 2006, three rockets fired by Hezbollah hit Hadera. Hadera is 50 miles (80 km) south of the Lebanese border and marked the farthest point inside Israel hit by Hezbollah.^[14]

Geography[link]

Tisha circle and HaNasi Weizman Street

Hadera is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastal plain, 45 kilometers north of Tel Aviv.^[15] The city's jurisdiction covers 53,000 dunams (53.0 km²; 20.5 sq mi), making it the fourth largest city in the country. Nahal Hadera Park, a eucalyptus forest covering 1,300 dunams (1.3 km²; 0.5 sq mi) and Hasharon Park are located on the outskirts of Hadera.^[2]

Transportation[link]

Hadera lies along two main Israel Railways lines: the Coastal Line and the nowadays freight-only Eastern Line. The city's railway station is located in the west of the city and is on the Tel Aviv suburban line which runs between Binyamina and Ashkelon. The city center of Hadera is located near Israel's two main north-south highways; Highway 2, linking Tel Aviv to Haifa, and Highway 4.^[2] This made Hadera an important junction for all coastal bus transportation after 1948 and into the 1950s.

Economy[link]

Orot Rabin chimneys

Hadera's importance as an economic center was first recognised when Israel's first paper mill was opened here in 1953. Hadera Paper continues to be a large employer in the city. In December 2009 the world's largest desalination plant of its type,^[16] located within the municipal borders, was inaugurated.^[2] Hadera is the location of the Orot Rabin Power Plant, Israel's largest power station.^[17]

Demographics[link]

According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, as of December 2007, Hadera had a population of 77,100 which is growing at an annual rate of 1.2%.^[1] As of 2003, the city had a population density of 1,516.6 per km².^[18] Of the city's population of 2003 of 74,900, approximately 22,400 were immigrants, many from Ethiopia.^[18]

Hadera has grown steadily since 1948, when the city had a population of 11,800. In 1955, the population almost doubled to 22,500. In 1961 it rose to 25,600, 1972 to 32,200, and 1983, to 38,700.^[18]

The median age in Hadera is 32.8, with 23,200 people 19 years of age or younger, 12.1% between 20 and 29, 14,100 between 30 and 44, 17,600 from 45 to 64, and 9,700, 65 or older.^[19] As of 2007, there were 37,500 males and 39,200 females.^[19]

In 2001, the ethnic makeup was 99.2% Jewish and other non-Arab, with no significant Arab population. In 2000, there were 27,920 salaried workers and 1,819 self-employed. The mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker was ILS 5,135, a real change of 8.0% over the course of 2000. Salaried males had a mean monthly wage of ILS 6,607 (a real change of 9.0%) compared with ILS 3,598 for females (a real change of 3.1%). The mean income for the self-employed was 6,584. A total of 1,752 people received unemployment benefits and 6,753 received income supplements.

Education[link]

In 2001, there were 15,622 students studying at 42 schools (24 elementary schools with 7,933 students, and 21 high schools with 7,689 students). A total of 57.5% of 12th graders were entitled to a matriculation certificate.

The Democratic School of Hadera, which opened in 1987, was the first of its kind in Israel. The Technoda, an educational center for science and technology equipped with a state-of-the-art telescope and planetarium, is located in Hadera's Givat Olga neighborhood.^[20]

Medical facilities[link]

The Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

Hadera is served by the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center.

Neighborhoods[link]

• Kfar Brandeis
• Givat Olga^[21]
• Beit Eliezer
• Haotzhar
• Hephzibah
• Neve Haim
• Nissan
• Bilu
• Nahaliel

International relations[link]

Notable residents[link]

• Sarit Hadad, singer
• Alon Stein, basketball player

Twin towns — Sister cities[link]

Hadera is twinned with:

• Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States^[22] since 2008
• Haren (Groningen) in the Netherlands
• Nuremberg in Germany since 1995
• Saint Paul, Minnesota in the United States since 1981
• Jacksonville, Florida in the United States
• Big Spring, Texas in the United States
• Rizhao in the People's Republic of China
• Derbent, Russia

See also[link]

• Hadera Central Bus Station

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website (Hebrew)

v t e Haifa District Cities Baqa-Jatt · Hadera · Haifa · Kiryat Ata · Kiryat Bialik · Kiryat Motzkin · Kiryat Yam · Nesher · Or Akiva · Tirat Carmel · Umm al-Fahm Local councils Ar'ara · Basma · Binyamina-Giv'at Ada · Daliyat al-Karmel · Fureidis · Isfiya · Jisr az-Zarqa · Kafr Qara · Katzir-Harish · Kiryat Tiv'on · Ma'ale Iron · Pardes Hanna-Karkur · Rekhasim · Zikhron Ya'akov Regional councils Alona · Hof HaCarmel · Menashe · Zevulun See also Haifa metropolitan area · Krayot Other sub-divisions: Center District · Jerusalem District · Judea and Samaria Area · North District · South District · Tel Aviv District

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Abraham Afewerki (1966–2006), an Eritrean singer, song writer,and music producer drowned in the Red Sea at the age of 40. In addition to his humble personality, Abraham was one of the most gifted contemporary Eritrean musical artists. A genius of Tigrinya music writing, and a unique Tigrinya lyricist, Abraham was one of the most recognized figures among Eritrean musicians and celebrities.

Biography[link]

Abraham Afewerki is described as an Eritrean musical tour-de-force. Held in high regard by his fellow Eritrean artists his work garners appreciation and admiration from his peers. His musical influence also crosses borders to Eritrea’s neighboring countries where his music is reproduced by other musicians singing in a different language other than his native Tigrinya.

Abraham was born in Asmara, Eritrea. From an early age Abraham was fascinated with musical instruments and by age nine had learned to play a musical instrument independently. Due to the Eritrean War of Independence Abraham, with his family, fled to Sudan and soon after to Italy where he further pursued his dream to be a professional musician. While studying in Rome, Abraham continued to expand his musical skills by working with internationally known musical celebrities in live performances as well as recordings.^{[citation needed]}

Abraham’s first CD, Kozli Gaba was released in 1991, which was produced and distributed by Virgin Records in Europe. The album was the first by an Eritrean artist that was produced by an International recording company and made available to the global audience. Abraham’s music, in due course, was covered by a number of International media outlets.

During the following 15 years Abraham released two more albums which further propelled his popularity among Eritreans. His songs were popular because his lyrics expressed strong and poetic images of Eritrea’s culture. His socially conscious words were evocative and his fans often described his music as inspiring. Abraham is also credited with being one of Eritrea’s master live entertainers.

In his newest CD titled Semai ("Sky" in Tigrinya), Abraham collaborates with several Eritrean musicians, the result of which was an exquisite sound. Abraham continued to blend his music with jazz, R&B, and Reggae rhythms at the same time maintaining his music’s originality and authenticity.

He died in 2006, when he drowned while swimming in Massawa whilst filming his next music video.

Albums[link]

He released the following albums in Eritrea:

• "Wegahta"(Sunrise) - 1991
• "Tesfa'iya snqey"(Hope is my supply or kit) - 1994
• "MsTir fQri"(Secret of Love) - 1998
• "Hadera" (Promise) - 2000
• "semai" (Sky - aka The Sky is My Limit ) - 2006

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This article on an African singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This Eritrean biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Maria Otero
Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office August 10, 2009
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Paula Dobriansky
Personal details
Born	La Paz, Bolivia
Nationality
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Joseph T. Eldridge[1]
Alma mater	University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University
Portfolio	Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; Environment, Oceans, Health and Science; Population, Refugees, and Migration; Trafficking in persons. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.
Website	http://www.state.gov/g/

María Otero was sworn in as United States Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs on August 10, 2009. She oversees and coordinates U.S. foreign policy on a variety of global issues, including democracy, human rights, and labor; environment, oceans, health and science, population, refugees and migration, and trafficking in persons. She also serves as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.

Otero was formerly the president and CEO of ACCION International, a pioneer and leader in microfinance working in 25 countries in around the globe. Under Otero’s tenure as CEO, ACCION’s network of microfinance institutions expanded its reach from serving 460,000 people to over 3.7 million, through a combined portfolio that grew from $274 million to nearly $3.6 billion. She is a leading voice on sustainable microfinance, publishing extensively on the subject and speaking throughout the world on microfinance, women’s issues and poverty alleviation.

Prior to ACCION, Otero was the Economist for Latin America for the Women in Development office of USAID. She also served for five years at the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA).

Otero’s awards and recognition include selection by Newsweek in October 2005 as one of the United States’ 20 most influential women; Hispanic Business Magazine’s ‘Elite Women of 2007’; Notre Dame University’s Distinguished Service in Latin America Award; and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

In June 2006, Otero was appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to the UN Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors. She served on the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace, a position to which she was originally appointed by President Bill Clinton. Otero has chaired the board of Bread for the World, and also served on the boards of the Calvert Foundation, Public Welfare Foundation, the Inter-American Foundation and BRAC in Bangladesh. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Otero is currently the highest ranking Hispanic official at the State Department, and the first Latina Under Secretary in its history.

Personal life[link]

Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Otero moved to the United States at the age of 12.^[2]

Otero holds an M.A. in literature from the University of Maryland, an M.A. in international relations from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, at the Johns Hopkins University, and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Dartmouth College. Since 1997, she has also served as an adjunct professor at SAIS, co-teaching a course on microfinance.^[2]

She is married to Joseph T. Eldridge, a human rights advocate who is head chaplain at American University.^[3] They have three children and one grandchild.^[1]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Maria Otero

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State document "Otero, Maria".

v t e Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs of the United States of America Tim Wirth · Frank E. Loy · Paula Dobriansky · Maria Otero