ELON MOREH - Shechem Renewal of the Jewish Settlement in Shomron

ELON MOREH Community Development Projects [by Pinchas Fuchs]

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT [Spring 5762] Elon Moreh today is a community with 250 families (1500 residents) with plans to grow. In order to provide more services for the residents and to attract more families, the community must continue to develop many public projects. Playground equipment 3 x $10,000 $ 30,000 Youth center equipment $ 5,000 SPECIAL SECURITY NEEDS Bullet-prooging the security van $ 40,000 2 emergency generators @ $20,000 $ 40,000 Infra-red binoculars run from $800 (simplest) to $ 6,000 (most exact). Bullet-proof vests 10 x $800 $ 8,000 BULLET-PROOF VAN As the security situation on the roads becomes more serious, it is more important to provide public transportation in vehicles equipped for the job, that means – bullet-proof. The buses of the national bus companies Dan and Egged are all bullet-proof, but the frequency of the lines to and from Elon Moreh is only a few times a day. The lines from nearby Ariel or Tapuach Junction are much more frequent. What is needed is the ability to travel to and from Ariel to meet these buses. A bullet-proof van could provide a service from Elon Moreh to these points. $120,000 BULLET-PROOFING THE NEW AMBULANCE Last year the community of Elon Moreh received a donation of a new ambulance. A major effort is being made to equip the abbulance with the most modern equipment. One of the most essential needs today is to provide bullet-proofing. We have seen cases of attacks where the ambulance and crew have had trouble reaching the injured because the area was still under terrorist fire. This hinders tremendously the ability to administer the needed help to the injured. $ 40,000 EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY TRAUMA CENTER With the help of the Regional Council we have established a trauma center for medical emergencies.The continued medical service of the infirmary and the medical staff to the residents of Elon Moreh is contingent upon the use of the best and most modern equipment. The center is presently housed in a trailer near the infirmary. Special Operating Bed $ 2000 Special lights for operatng bed $ 2000 Protocol – EKG, CO2, pulse momnitor $ 5000 Pulse-oximeter $ 2000 Life-Pack 12 defibrillator $25,000 A lending service has been established “Ner LeAvner” in memory of Avner Chezi who was killed in Lebanon while serving as a medic. Needs for the lending service $ 10,000 Humidifiers, inhilators,breast pumps,wheelchairscrutches Needs for dental clinic Autoclave $ 2,500 x-ray machine $ 3,000 Emergency generator $10,000 LIBRARY The Elon Moreh Library is a regional library, serving the communities of Elon Moreh, Itamar, Yitzhar, and Har Brachah. It also serves as the library for the grammar school, including classes held for the school. New building $250,000 Including equipment:Xerox machine, Audio-visual equipment, Computer, Television, Fax machine NAHALAT ZVI GAMMAR SCHOOL The Nahalat Zvi Grammar School in Elon Moreh, a government-supported religious school, is a regional school with children from Elon Moreh, Brachah, Yitzhar, and Itamar. The school is two schools 16 classes first to eighth, boys and girls, about 450 children. Language laboratory $20,000 5 computers, educational software, 2 video/televisions Computer room $ 30,000 20 computers, 5 printers, software Library $ 20,000 reference books, audio-visual equipment Playground equipment $ 5,000 slides, swings, etc. Dining room $ 10,000 Tables, chairs, stove, refrigerator Science laboratory $ 20,000 lab benches, glassware, cabinets EMPLOYMENT FUND If Elon Moreh is to grow into a full-fledged city, we must put out a special effort to create job opportunities. The community is constantly looking for small businesses and invertors who can help build up the economic base of the area. This includes light industry and agriculture. A commercial center could be built, including a supermarket, stores, offices, and other needs. This would provide jobs for several peole and, at the same time, provide services for the people of Elon Moreh and the surrounding communities.

NEIGHBORHOOD 792:Since the settlements on the mountaintops around Shechem, of which Elon Moreh is the biggest and therefore the central one, are the only Israeli presence from Shechem to the Jordan River, these communities now present the only barrier to a Palestinian State in eastern Samaria. It is therefore of utmost importance to build up this presence on the highest mountain tops. On the hill northeast of EM a new neighborhood has been started without any government help at all. This leaves all the essentials - road, electrical lines, water, etc. - without any government budgets.

The ELON MOREH TEACHERS' SEMINARYfor girls leads to a BEd or a BA in Jewish Education and History is expected to give EM a big boost in prestige. It includes three years of study and one year of practice teaching. This is part of the plan to develop the Neveh Ofrah neighborhood. Start-up needs include furniture, laboratories, library, computers, etc.

The NAHALAT ZVI GRAMMAR SCHOOLis a regional school for children from surrounding communities, from first to eighth grade, totalling almost 500 students. Equipment need includes computers, audio-visual equipment, a science laboratory, a language lab, expanded library facilities, etc.

The PUBLIC LENDING LIBRARY has about 5000 books, including all levels of reading -children, adults, reference. Because of the large number of immigrants in the community there is also a need for books in Russian, Spanish, and English.

MEDICAL FACILITIESnow include an infirmary and a dental clinic, both in need of expansion The ambulance is in need of more equipment. A lending service has begun. We have also established an emergency center in the names of children who have fallen at the hands of terrorists or in the army defending their country.

The CHELKAT HASADEH FIELD SCHOOLbrings groups of Israelis and tourists for seminars, lecture series, and tours of the Land of the Bible, lasting anywhere from an afternoon to a week. This can increase the awareness of the importance of the whole area to the Jewish people. Audio-visual equipment would help supplement the lectures and tours.

SPORTS CENTER: The community has worked on increasing the quality of life, including basketball courts, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, all in need of equipment and improvement. Playgrounds and gardens add a special feeling. This is all the more important considering the distance to the main cities in the country.

SENIOR CITIZEN'S CLUB: As we provide special services for students and the very young, the community also tries to meet the needs of those growing old [mainly parents of members and new immigrants]. A daily "club" picks them up from their homes and provides half a day's activities and learning, and occasional tours.

EMPLOYMENT:If Elon Moreh is to grow into a full-fledged city, we must use a special effort to create job opportunities. The community is constantly looking for small businesses and investors who can help build up the economic base of the area. This includes light industry and agriculture. A commercial center could be built, including a super market, stores, offices, and other needs. This would provide jobs for several people and, at the same time, provide services for the people of Elon Moreh.

created by: Tsel Harim