If you look for the city of Modi’in on a map of Israel, you may end up feeling a bit confused. Why? The city is so new that, depending on how long you’ve had your map, Modi’in might just not be on it!
That doesn’t mean that Modi’in has no history, though. In fact, quite the opposite is true. But there is a difference between the ancient city of Modi’in, and new Modi’in.
The modern city of Modi’in was just established in 1996. Today it is home to just about 70,000 residents and counting. Over the next few years, however, the city expects its population to grow by leaps and bounds.
Not only has the secret gotten out about the city’s sparkling clean, pretty newness. But it is also the home to a cutting-edge environmentally friendly community. With green living high on the list of priorities for many people, Modi’in is a very attractive place to live.
Additionally, the new city of Modi’in has an ideal location within the country of Israel. It is only 15 minutes from the Ben Gurion Airport. It lies at the foothills of the Judean mountains and is located right between the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
To the north are the rugged and rocky mountains of Samaria, and to the south are the lush and fertile lowlands of the Sh’fela.
Visitors and residents alike agree that the new Modi’in is certainly very beautiful. Again, the newness is apparent, as everything has a fresh, clean quality to it. Most of the city’s buildings are constructed from pale pink or yellow Jerusalem stone, which unlike concrete does not turn brown or crumble with age.
Vining flowers such as jasmine, honeysuckle, passion fruit, and morning glories grow plentifully along fences and buildings. The major roads are lined with luxurious green lawns, while parks and nature preserves skirt the town.
One of the area’s most popular forests is the Ben Shemen Forest, which is well known for its trails and picnic areas filled with towering pine, cypress, and carob trees. The Ben Shemen Forest is one of the oldest Jewish National Fund (JNF) reforestation projects in the country.
Historically speaking, the old city of Modi’in goes back an awful lot further than 1996. In fact, the city includes archaeological sites that date throughout the Chalcolothic period and encompass the biblical, second Temple (Persian, Greek and Roman), Byzantine, Mamluk, Crusader and Ottoman periods.
Archeaological sites near the modern town of Modi’in have revealed two of the most ancient synagogues ever discovered, both of which date back to the Hasmonean era. One synagogue is located at Um el Umdan, the other near the town of Kiryat Sefer (Modi’im Illit).
Unfortunately, lack of funding has prevented these sites from being entirely excavated and turned into visitors’ sites. Many of the current residents in these areas hope to one day see the ancient synagogues become public parks or landmarks suitable for pilgrims.
Modi’in is best known today as the center of the celebration of Chanukah. Regardless of what time of year you visit Modi’in, it is appropriate to celebrate and commemorate the reclaiming of the temple of Modi’in by Judah the Maccabee and to explore the story of Chanukah where its heroes lived and died.
Today you can visit Kfar Hashmonaim (The Hasmonean Village), which is a reconstruction of a village from the Hasmonean period with displays of daily life from the period. Visitors can participate in a number of activities, including coin minting, olive harvesting, and grape stomping — the ancient method of making wine. It is an immersive and memorable experience for both adults and children.
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