My name is Sara Gelbard, and I live in Elon Moreh with my husband Eliezer and our 7 wonderful children (not that I'm biased, of course!!).
	We came to the settlement 8 ½ years ago from Jerusalem. That was when the second group of converts from Peru arrived and the Yishuv needed a rabbi who spoke Spanish to act as their spiritual mentor. As my husband is from Uruguay – although he's been in Israel for 25 years – we moved to Elon Moreh.
For me, especially, it was the fulfillment of a dream. I always wanted to live in Yesha, ever since I discovered Israel while in school in England (maybe having been born on Israel Independence Day, 5 Iyar, has something to do with it!). The feeling of contributing to the rebuilding of our Land out weighs anything else, and I stand in awe when I realise that our generation has merited to redeem Eretz Yisrael from its long slumber. It's amazing to contemplate that only with the return of the Chosen People has the Land decided to give forth its fruits, after 2000 years of barren-ness.
	Elon Moreh especially, as the first place that Avraham trod in Eretz Yisrael, has particular significance for our people. The feeling that here is the root of the Jewish people will have impressed anyone who has been here.
I teach English in the school on the settlement. We have two schools: one for boys, and one for girls, up until 8th grade. It's quite an experience to teach English in Israel, but very rewarding. Maybe if there's anyone interested in corresponding, we could start up a penpal scheme!!
	I'm also an ambulance driver, although I've taken off a few months in order to be with my baby. I hope to go back to it soon. The worst time I ever had on the ambulance was 3 ½ years when there were riots throughout Israel on the opening of the tunnels near the Kotel.
There was also rioting in Joseph's Tomb in Shechem, and 6 soldiers were killed. It was the most devastating loss of life, and totally unnecessary. The ambulance drivers worked hard at the scene. One of the soldiers died in my ambulance while waiting for the helicopter to evacuate. We can only hope and pray that Hashem will compensate for all our sufferings, and that we will be able very soon to build in all Israel wherever we want. As it is, Joseph's tomb, and the Yeshiva's building have not yet been rebuilt. I hope that this will be rectified in the near future.
	I would like to take the opportunity to invite you to visit Elon Moreh. There is the most magnificent scenery, wonderful, warm people, and a lack of materialism which is definitely a breath of fresh air!! Please be in contact! press here to send me E-mail

See you all in the next newsletter!!