About Ashkelon

The following is an extract from the Ashkelon Municipal website.
Dear Visitors,
Since the dawn of history 5,000 years ago, Ashkelon, due to its strategic location as an important port, has attracted many people and varied populations who lived in the city and contributed to its prosperity. You can find evidence of this in almost every corner of the city, and experience an entire world of history, archeology, and exciting and fascinating cultural riches.
Alongside the city’s magnificent past, while conserving and nurturing these important ancient assets, Ashkelon has moved forward over the years and today it is one of the most highly regarded cities in Israel, with positive migration that is constantly growing. The city is spread over 55,000 dunams (5,500 hectares) and its roughly 149,000 residents.
This dynamic city boasts a high quality of life, excellent educational institutions, rich and varied leisure activities for the entire population with many recreation spots located around the city.
I invite you to visit Ashkelon and enjoy the many attractions that the city has to offer. Among other things, you can stroll along 12 kilometers of spectacular sea shore, have fun at the Sea Park located on Delilah Beach, and spend time at the beautiful marina with its new large commercial center, cinema, cafés, and restaurants. In Tel Ashkelon National Park, covering 2,000 dunams (200 hectares), you can enjoy an entertainment and camping experience with a view of the Mediterranean Sea. There is also an impressive cultural center, shopping malls, new hotels, and the bustling Migdal antiquities site that will give you a glimpse of where it all began – and many other enchanting and fascinating spots that will make you want to visit Ashkelon time and again.
Ashkelon is a place where past and present blend perfectly into a modern, groundbreaking and progressive city, which maintains its special character and supplies the needs of all its residents and visitors. The breathtaking views from the height of the promenade, the never-ending sea shore, hotels that are a short walking distance to the sea, green open spaces, and inviting lawns, comfortable weather and colorful markets together with established restaurants alongside contemporary eateries will leave you with an appetite for more, and of course the warm and wonderful people who will always welcome you – all these make Ashkelon a city that it’s easy to fall in love with and always fun to return to.
We look forward to seeing you here in Ashkelon,
Tomer Glam
Mayor of Ashkelon

Courtesy of The Jewish Agency for IsraelGlossary of Useful Administrative Terms

• Bituach Leumi                                   The National Insurance – responsible for welfare payments, pensions, child benefit, unemployment
• Kupat Cholim                                     Health Insurance fund
• Misrad HaKlita                                 Ministry of Immigrant Absorption – responsible for most Aliyah benefits 
• Misrad HaPnim                                Interior Ministry (responsible for issuing Teudat Zehut,Teudat Ma’avar, Passports, changing addresses etc.)
• Teudat Ma’avar                                Temporary passport
• Teudat Oleh                                        Oleh benefits booklet
• Teudat Zehut                                      Identity card
• Sal Klita                                                Financial assistance paid in the 6 months following Aliyah
• Ulpan                                                     Hebrew classes

For More Information, visit the Jewish Agency for Israel Website:
http://www.jewishagency.org/

Ashkelon has more than 160 synagogues, the majority of which are Sephardi.

There are a number of Ashkenaz synagogues, the most popular with the English speaking community being:

Central Synagogue, Afridar, Telephone (Gary Donovan) 08 6843171

Barnea Synagogue, Telephone 052 637 4667

Chabad is very active in the city and the Chabad Rabbi, Rabbi Lieberman, is an English speaker.

Tel: 08 675 4913,

email: chabad@chabadashkelon.com
Web: http://www.chabadashkelon.com/

There is also one Conservative Synagogue.

Kehillat Netzach Israel, 8 Harel Street, POB. 5041 Ashkelon 78150

Tel: 08-6711370/1 Fax: 08-6757636 Web: www.netzach-israel.org.il

The 10 kilometer-long Ashkelon beach attracts both local and foreign beach-goers. Ashkelon, proclaimed a national tourism site, is rapidly developing this sphere.

Five hotels and resort centers are already operating in the city.
Tourists and vacationers have at their disposal restaurants and pubs, sports facilities and heated swimming pools, the “Ashkeluna” water amusement park, two country clubs, an amphitheater, a tennis club, museums, cinemas, bowling alleys, fishing spots, and bathing beaches equipped with all the necessary amenities.

The Ashkelon Marina Area has a 600-vessel docking capacity making it one of the largest marinas in Israel.
Planned for the area behind the marina is a tourist complex of hotels, vacation units, shopping, entertainment centers, tourist services and more.

Buses

The bus services are very comprehensive in Ashkelon with many local lines and Inter-City Lines.

There are two bus stations, one in the city centre next to the Giron Shopping Mall, the other in the Migdal area.

You can also get comprehensive information, plan your journey and access the full inter-city timetable at http://egged.co.il/Eng

Railways

The Ashkelon Railway Station is situated on the outskirts of the city (click here for map). Trains run towards Tel Aviv and the North with connections to all parts of the country.

The rail company can be called by dialling *5770 from any phone or visit their website for full details of services, timetable, tickets etc at http://www.rail.co.il/EN/Pages/Homepage.aspx

Taxi

There are several Taxi services in the city. Here are details of just three: