Ariel was founded in 1978 when 40 families established themselves on top of a hill in the heart of ancient biblical Israel north of Jerusalem. Ezer Weizmann, Defense Minister at the time, attended the ground breaking ceremony. Ari’el means Lion of God in Hebrew and the city has lived up to its name. After 2,000 years of desolation, the residents, led by founding Mayor Ron Nachman, turned the hills of Ariel into a beautiful thriving high-tech city of 20,000. Ariel has become an excellent example of Jewish creativity ingenuity and strength.

This modern progressive city has shopping centers, excellent schools, a large sports complex, tennis courts, a fitness center, mini golf, a television studio, a hotel, an absorption center for new immigrants, a civil court, a rabbinical court, synagogues, the Netzarim Hesder Yeshiva and a four lane highway that connects the city to the rest of Israel. Under construction is the Ariel Cultural Center which will boast a hyper-modern performing arts center.

While beautiful houses, condos and green parks abound, the jewel of Ariel is the University Center of Samaria, a learning institute attended by more than 8,000 students from all over Israel.

The University Center is a major hub for research and development initiatives. Projects include robotics, electro-optics, crystal growth, environmental studies, radiation testing, and laser technology. In 2003, researchers began development of a navigation program for planetary rover missions. There are also studies for engineering and computer programming. Dozens of world class experts from the former Soviet Union joined the faculty and helped advance its research capabilities. Faculty members have published hundreds of papers in international journals on science and technology.

Ariel has modern industrial zones on its far west side with more than 110 industries. On the east side, next to the University, is the Center for Technological Initiative, which specialized in sciences like biochemistry, medicine, biotechnology and electronics.

Ariel has been working on an initiated to bring in Jewish immigrants from the Anglo speaking world. A recent Aliyah expo in Johannesburg stirred much interest in a battered Jewish community that may be ready to return home.

Thirty years ago, a few brave pioneers erected a couple of tents on top of a hill. Today, a spectacular city graces the hills of ancient Samaria. Just a few kilometers north east of Ariel, Jewish scriptures tell us, G-d first spoke to Abraham and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.”

G-d has kept His promise! Why would anyone expect the Jewish people to concede this land to invaders from Arabia? Ariel is not a particularly religious community, but today it is living proof that the G-d of Abraham has put His blessing on this place.

This article is based on a post by Ezra Ridgly.

You can see more of Ezra’s photographs at Torah Alive.

You can also purchase his book, Judea and Samaria, The Land of G-d, at Amazon or Lulu.