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Efsharibari in the City: Kiryat Bialik

Kiryat Bialik, a city that has recently reached a population of 40,000, continues to plan and implement projects that cater to its diverse residents

Park in Kiryat Bialik

Photo taken by: Nir Vadel

Kiryat Bialik Regional Council: Introduction

Number of residents: 40,200
Socio-economic index: 7
Head of authority: Eli Dokorski
Health coordinator: Or Sahlev
Head of the health committee: Lior Taragan
Year of joining Efsharibari in the City: 2020
Website: Kiryat Bialik Municipality

The council’s vision and the importance of health

Kiryat Bialik joined the Efsharibari in the City project in 2020 as part of the Society and Community Division.

The project's primary objective is to serve all members of the community, from infancy to seniority. Furthermore, Efsharibari not only encourages an active lifestyle but also enables the improvement and promotion of the physical environment.

Health-promoting policy

Upon joining the Efsharibari in the City project, the council prioritized the development of policies in three key areas:

  • Addition of physical activity time for school children
  • Provision of healthy refreshments and water at meetings and organized by council
  • Enforcement of the prohibition of smoking in public areas as per the requirements outlined in the report presented to the Minister of Health

Improving the physical environment

In 2020, several physical activity facilities were built in various neighborhoods in the city, with a particular focus on promoting both individual and community physical activities:

  • The first workout park was built in the Givat Harakafot quarter
  • Five circular walking trails and workout spots along the tracks were mapped and publicized

Bicycle and walking trails in a fenced promenade in Kiryat Bialik. Photo taken by: Nir Vadel

Efsharibari in the community

The Anyone Can program, walking groups for older adults (ages 75 and older): in 2020, three walking groups were set up for the first time, and in 2021, a fourth group was formed. These groups were designed to suit the needs of the elderly population, with some of them specifically tailored for Russian-speaking older adults. Furthermore, the walking group participants attend a monthly lecture on various health-related topics, including fall prevention for older adults, healthy eating habits, the significance of physical activity, and sleeping habits.
Adapted equipment for the day centers has been bought to upgrade the groups’ physical activity, and now an individual workout is possible as well.

Unique program: “A jumping rope for the whole class” - promoting physical activity among 2nd graders

A project has been launched to promote an active lifestyle by introducing and experimenting with an easy and accessible device for physical activity, in line with the Ministry of Health’s objectives relating to high-intensity physical activity. As part of the project, four lesson plans were created on the issue of jumping ropes and their different uses. These included instructions on teaching jumping, exercises, independent exercises at home, competitions, and games. All the pupils received a jumping rope for free and an explanatory leaflet for the parents, including a description of the project and recommendations from the Ministry of Health.  

  • The project was conducted in conjunction with the Education Division in the municipality, the schools’ administration, and the physical activity teachers
  • The project’s achievements in terms of number of participants, reported or observed changes, and so on: the program started as a pilot in 8 classes in 2020 and it is going to be expanded to all 2nd grade classes in the city in 2021.

Jumping rope for the whole class! Efsharibari Kirtyat Bialik The National project For Active and Healthy Life Jumping rope for the whole class! Efsharibari Kiryat Bialik The National project for Active and Healthy Life Dear parents, Your child’s class has been selected to take part in the new pilot project, “Jumping rope for the whole class!” As part of the project, the pupils have been provided with jumping ropes and will receive four lessons on how to use them from their physical education teacher. Over the coming few weeks, the pupils will be given home training assignments. Please motivate them to complete these tasks and persevere through any difficulty. The pupils are required to bring their jumping ropes according to the schedule decided by the school. Why jumping rope? A jumping rope is an easy, cheap, and accesible training tool, suitable for pupils of all ages. The jumping rope is suitable for playing or for any activity, and promotes the development of physical fitness components, while working within different organizational structures: alone, in pairs, or in a team. Furthermore, different skills from various sports branches can be learned by using the jumping rope : high jump, long jump (athletics), etc. During class and home assignments, the pupils will experience different exercises and games with the jumping rope, and develop the physical fitness components: strength, speed, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Every minute counts! The Ministry of Health’s recommendation for children: 60 minutes of physical activity per day and high-intensity activity at least 3 times a week for strengthening the muscles and the bones. The jumping rope is an excellent training tool for high-intensity activity. Wishing you a healthy and active year Efsharibari Project Neurim School Society and Community Division

"A jumping rope for the whole class" program

Efsharibari in education

Health promoting schools in 2019
Elementary schools: 3
High schools: 1

Link to the full map of health promoting education institutions

Key programs in the education system

In-service training for teachers/kindergarten teachers/principals in the education system in 2019-2020. It is preferable to indicate both a specific number and the corresponding percentage range: training guides in elementary schools on the issue of physical activity and active play.

The children of Kiryat Bialik keep the rules

A creative workbook for the city’s children has been developed (kindergarten and first grade). The workbook provides guidance and instructions from the Ministry of Health on how to cope with COVID-19 creatively and enjoyably. A total of 2,500 workbooks were printed, and a downloadable and printable version of the workbook is also available for use at home.
Link to the workbook (Hebrew)

health promoting schools map

Publicity campaigns and peak events

  • Social media campaign: For choosing the green symbol products and Efsharibari bread 
  • Walking day publications: including 5 circular walking trails in the city and a prize for those sending photos from the different walking trails
  • “The children of Kiryat Bialik keep the rules”: a creative workbook for the children has been published for downloading and printing at home. 2500 booklets were distributed among kindergartens and first grade classes.

Further reading

Efsharibari in the City: map of participating local authorities and companies (Hebrew)
Efsharibari in the City guide for local authorities (Hebrew)