Jerusalem area

Ma'ale Adumim

A city 7 km east of Jerusalem with a mall, library and sports facilities and desert views. In 2004 over 70% of residents were secular, and most moved there for quality of life rather than ideology, per Wikipedia. NBN lists volunteer Anglo contacts and a community coordinator for newcomers.

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What draws people

About 20 min by bus to central Jerusalem. source ((opens in a new tab))
Mall, library and sports facilities in a mid-sized city. source ((opens in a new tab))
Newcomer support: a community coordinator, Hebrew instruction in schools and a volunteer committee. source ((opens in a new tab))

What to weigh

No train; Tel Aviv is about 1 h 8 min by bus 481. source ((opens in a new tab))
NBN gives no figures on English speakers and lists only volunteer Anglo contacts. source ((opens in a new tab))

The facts

Region: Jerusalem area
Location note: Ma'ale Adumim is in the West Bank, 7 km east of Jerusalem along Highway 1.
Population: 35,846 (2024 estimate)Wikipedia's infobox lists 35,846 for 2024 but its text gives the same number for 2015, so the year is uncertain; check against CBS.source ((opens in a new tab))
English-speaking community: Small (2 out of 5)· judgment call
French-speaking community: Unknown
Russian-speaking community: Unknown
Religious mix: Mostly secularMostly secular as of 2004 ('over 70 percent of the residents were secular'); no newer breakdown found.source ((opens in a new tab))
Rent (family-size apartment): No reliable figure found
To Tel Aviv: About 1 h 8 min to Tel Aviv by busAbout 1 h 8 min by bus 481, or about 1 h 19 min by bus to Jerusalem and train (Rome2rio estimates).source 1 ((opens in a new tab))source 2 ((opens in a new tab))source 3 ((opens in a new tab))
To Jerusalem: About 20 min to Jerusalem by busAbout 20 min by bus 174 (Rome2rio estimate); NBN also says 'only 20 minutes from downtown Jerusalem.'source 1 ((opens in a new tab))source 2 ((opens in a new tab))source 3 ((opens in a new tab))
Train station: No
Light rail: No
For families: High (4 out of 5)· judgment call
Quiet: High (4 out of 5)· judgment call

Why these scores

English-speaking community: NBN lists two volunteer Anglo contacts but no community size. Judgment call (low evidence). source ((opens in a new tab))
French-speaking community: No source opened mentions French speakers. Left blank. source ((opens in a new tab))
Russian-speaking community: No source opened mentions Russian speakers. Left blank. source ((opens in a new tab))
For families: Judgment: NBN describes a small-town feel with mid-sized-city services. source ((opens in a new tab))
Quiet: Judgment: NBN describes a small-town feel; about 36,000 residents. source ((opens in a new tab))

Sources

Checked 8 November 2026

Ma'ale Adumim Local

Listings, guides, neighborhoods and Shabbat times for Ma'ale Adumim, on the city's own site.

Visit Ma'ale Adumim Local

Nefesh B'Nefesh community guide ((opens in a new tab))

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