Ranen

Ranen
Ranen
Coordinates: 31°20′16.8″N 34°36′3.96″E / 31.338000°N 34.6011000°ECoordinates: 31°20′16.8″N 34°36′3.96″E / 31.338000°N 34.6011000°E
District	Southern
Council	Merhavim
Affiliation	Moshavim Movement
Founded	1950
Founded by	Yemenite immigrants
Population (2015)[1]	608

Ranen (Hebrew: רנן‎‎, lit. Sing) is a moshav in southern Israel. Located in the north-western Negev two kilometres north of Ofakim, it falls under the jurisdiction of Merhavim Regional Council. In 2015 it had a population of 608.

History

The moshav was established in 1950 by immigrants from Yemen and was originally named Bitha. In 1952 the residents moved to the site of the Hakam Ha-107 ma'abara and converted it to a moshav, taking the name Bitha.

A group of Karaite Jews from Egypt moved onto the moshav, renaming it Ranen, which like the names of several other moshavim in the area, is taken from the Book of Isaiah 35:2,

It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice, even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God.

References

1. "List of localities, in Alphabetical order" (PDF). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 October 2016.