ELON MOREH - Shechem Renewal of the Jewish Settlement in Shomron

This was the first stop of Abraham after arriving upon the command of G-d:

And Avram passed through the land until the place of Shechem, until ELON MOREH, and the Cananite was then in the land. And HASHEM was revealed to Avram, and said: to your descendants I will give this land, and he built an altar there to HASHEM who was revealed to him. Breshit 12: 6-7

After 20 years in Laban's home outside Israel, Yaakov returned with the beginning of the family of Israel. His first stop was Shechem.

This was the place that Yaakov later bought for 100 ksita.

This was where Joseph was sold and then later buried.

This was the first stop of the children of Israel upon returning from Egypt, where they sealed the covenant of the blessings from Mount Grizzim and the curses from Mount Ebal, receiving the Torah again, this time in the Land of Israel.

Throughout the period of the Kings, most of the kings of the Northern Kingdom established their capital cities in Shechem, Sebastia, or Tirza nearby. There are also many other references to Elon Moreh/Shechem throughout the Bible.

From the lookout point above the community, one can see the area which was the cradle of the Jewish nation in Israel.

Throughout 2000 years of exile, a handful of Jewish families continued to live in the city of Shechem. During the Arab riots of the early 1930's the last Jews were forced to flee the city. Even though the "world community" through the British Mandate declared that the Land of Israel, ALL OF IT, belongs to the Jewish people, this has not stopped the politicians from all over the world from trying to carve up the Land to take away parts or all from us.

After the success of the Six-Day war, in which Israel recaptured the areas of Judea, Shomron, and Aza, there developed a desire amongst a large group of Jews to reinhabit these areas, especially the holy cities of Hebron, Yerushalaem, and Shechem, despite all talks about "peace" treaties and more slicing up of the land.

To this end the Gush Emunim (Group of Believers) was established under the leadership of Rabbi Zvi Yehudah Kook, zt"l. The main theme was that no one had the right to prevent any Jew from living anywhere in the Land of Israel, not a foreign power and not any Israeli government. The new Elon Moreh at its present site was established February, 1980 - Tu BeShvat, 5740. EM was the first Jewish community to be established in the Shomron after the area was liberated in 1967.

At the peak of Mt. Kabir is situated a lookout park in memory of Brig. Gen. Yosef Lunz. From the peak visitors can see asfar as Netanya, Mt. Hermon, and the Jordan Valley.

Most of the members are strong idealists, understandably, each with his own concerns and interests. In spite of the technical problems, the healthy communal structure has made possible many communal activities, including shiurim, help and social services for families in need, reaching out to other communities, a strong commitment to education at all levels - nursery through kolel and beyond.

All of us are strong and steadfast in our commitment to continue to live in the Land of Israel together, and in coexistence with the Arabs who wish to live with us in peace. With this faith we continue on - the combination of the People of Israel and the Land of Israel.

In the future Elon Moreh will continue to be at the forefront of the settlement movement in the Shomron. The long-range plans call for a major city, including an expanded industrial center, larger educational facilities, better roads and public transportation.

Today the political situation puts hardships on every-day life and stumbling blocks in the way of development, especially where budgetary considerations are important. Yet, we are determined to push forward as hard as possible. Contacts are continued with other communities in the Shomron, throughout Israel, and outside Israel with a general aim of continuing to grow and build.

The religious needs of the residents are fulfilled by a main synagogue, connected with the Israeli Young Israel movement, a Sepharadi synagogue, and a Yeminite synagogue. There are many private classes in many areas throughout the week.

A post office provides all postal needs and some banking functions. A large commercial center for a mini-market, small stores, and offices has been planned. A sports center with gymnasium, lockers, an excercise room, and more, has just been completed.

In the Industrial Center today are Ma'adanei Sharf, factory for processed meat, Tavlinei Gilad, grinding and packaging spices, Pirchei Hashomron textiles, and Konegsberg, preparing skins for mezuzot and other religious uses.

In other settlements nearby there are a large number of factories and businesses.

The infirmary in Elon Moreh is part of the Histadrut Kupat Holim system. It provides basic medical services for over 2000 people, including 800 children, in Elon Moreh and the surrounding settlements. A GP has hours four days a week, a pediatrician twice a week, and a gynecologist twice a month. For other services the residents must make appointments at any of the nearby hospitals. The nurse and doctor, along with ambulance, are on call at all hours day and night.

The dental clinic is equipped with the latest equipment. At the present there is only a part-time dentist who cannot fulfill the needs of all the residents.

Groups have come from all over Israel, families and youth groups, and tourists from outside Israel. Groups of up to 50 families or 200 individuals have spent from one afternoon to a week, combining lectures and touring of the area.

"NAHALAT ZVI" GRAMMAR SCHOOL
----------------------------

The Nahalat Zvi Grammar School in Elon Moreh, a Mamlachti Dati (government-supported religious) school was named for the late Rav Zvi Yehudah Kook. It is a regional school with children from all the surrounding settlements, including Brachah, Yitzhar, and Itamar. The school is 16 classes, first to eigth, boys and girls, about 350 children.
Extra Religious classes (1-3 hours a day) beyond the Ministry of Education program are subsidized by the parents.
The main goals of our education, to teach the children love of his fellow man, love of Torah, love of his Land, and proper behavior are built around the formal framework of everyday studies.

MIDRASHA LETORAH ULETECHNOLOGIA
-------------------------------

The MIDRASHA LETORAH ULETECHNOLOGIA (School for Torah Study and Technology) cares for boys from broken homes or with other learning problems. The dormitory life allows the students to be in contact with many of the families on Elon Moreh who can contribute to their Torah values. The six-year program, seventh through twelvth grades is coupled with technical training in several professional fields.

BEIT HAMIDRASH LETORAH VEHORAAH
-------------------------------

Press the picture to see the Bimad web site!

The BEIT HAMIDRASH LETORAH VEHORAAH is a kolel which includes a program to prepare young men to become teachers and Rabbis who can lead today's youth, including Teaching Certificates from the Ministry of Education, after which they teach a minimum number of years in a development area.
The Beit Hamedrash was established in Elul, 5740, half a year after the founding of Elon Moreh at its present site and now has over 50 students, most of whom are married and have served in the Israeli army. About half of the students live in EM, the others are from nearby communities.
Many residents of Elon Moreh participate in shiurim on a regular basis. The students also take an active part in the everyday life of the community.
The BEIT HAMIDRASH stared the "EL ARTZI" High School for Russian olim who have found difficulty in adjusting to new life in Israel, giving them a firm religious atmosphere. This year the enrollment has increased to over 80 boys.
Three years ago the BEIT HAMIDRASH expanded to include the YESHIVAT BIRKAT YOSEF Yeshiva Gevohah / Yeshivat Hesder, where boys who just finished high school can study and still fulfill their commitments to the country by serving in the army. The first group of boys has begun their service.

BNAI AKIVAH
-----------
The Bnei Akivah branch in Elon Moreh, now over 100 members carries out most of its activities during Shabbat, activi- ties and discussions with one of the parents. Very often there are activities outside EM tied to an upcoming holiday.
Several times a year other branches are invited for a joint Shabbat or the EM branch goes to another town. These contacts bring together youth from different areas to discuss the differences (mostly ideas about life in Israel). This contact is extended to communities outside Israel.

TAVLINEI GILAD
--------------
TAVLINEI GILAD orders spices in their natural forms, grinds them down, the proper proportions, and packages the final product ready for the consumer's use.

"KLEI KODESH" SOFRIM
--------------------
The "Klei Kodesh" Sofrim (scribes) in Elon Moreh provides supervision and checking of all work of the the members, several of whom are ordained rabbis and all have had a Yeshiva backgrounds, and continue to learn as part of the programs of the Beit HaMidrash. Customers have included contacts in the United States and elsewhere outside Israel.

OROT KONEGSBERG
---------------
OROT KONEGSBERG prepares animal skins for religious purposes such as tefillin, mezuzot, sefrei Tora, etc. The skins must be processed by a special procedure in order to comply with the halachic specifications. This includes chemical treatment to clean and soften the skins, removal of hair and outer layer of skin, sanding, stretching, and softening.

created by: Tsel Harim