Type of Community: Yishuv

Region: Gush Etzion

Religious Percent: 100

English Speaking Percent: 30

When asked to describe their community, residents of Elazar choose words like “warm”, “hevrati” (social), and “diverse”. Each of these words captures a different quality of this Yishuv. Yishuv Elazar began as a cooperative Moshav established by North American Olim in 1975. The community remained quite small until its decision to become a Yishuv in the late 1980s. Since that time, it has grown from approximately 25 families to its current size of over 325 families. The close-knit character of the Yishuv is due, in large part, to the fact that it was established by Olim who came to the country with no family of their own. The residents truly became family to one another, and the feeling continues to this day, especially for North American and British Olim who are seeking an extended family feel in their community. Members of the original Moshav, as well as more recent additions (both Anglo and Israeli), have made it their business to help new residents, especially new Olim, acclimate and feel comfortable.

Local Employment
Buses are available from Elazar to employment opportunities in Jerusalem.

Education / Youth
Elazar has a Maon program for babies through age three. Residents are proud of Elazar’s Ganim, and the quality of instruction is widely acknowledged. Even children from outside the Yishuv are attracted to the Ganei Shiluv; small groups offering special education services as well as supportive mainstreaming opportunities. Elementary school children largely attend the regional elementary school in Alon Shvut, or the Reishit school in Rosh Tzurim. A few attend Orot Etzion in Efrat. Children in junior high or high school generally attend one of the institutions in the Gush Etzion area, though there are some who travel to Jerusalem, Kiryat Arba, or the Shomron as well. Children in Elazar are very involved in Bnei Akiva activities.

Transportation
Elazar is perhaps the Yishuv in Gush Etzion that is most accessible to public transportation. It is just south of Neve Daniel, but considerably closer to the main road. It is possible to take almost any bus that passes through the road, on its way to other Gush Etzion Yishuvim, Efrat, Kiryat Arba or even Be’er Sheva.

Olim Services
Elazar is very welcoming of new Olim. The community uses the Ulpan in Alon Shvut.

Amenities / Services
The synagogue, Ganim, mini-market and parks are in the center of the Yishuv, with homes built around them, providing daily opportunities for meeting neighbors. While Elazar has a fairly well-stocked mini-market, it lacks any other commercial establishments; however, Elazar is close Yishuv to Efrat, so most needs can be met only minutes away.

Community and Religious Life
The Yishuv is Religious-Zionist, and its population reflects the true diversity of that label. There are Ashkenazim, Sepharadim and Yemenites. While visitors on Shabbat will see mostly men with embroidered Kippot, there are a few men who wear hats, as well. The important thing, according to the residents, is that they all eat at each other’s homes and share in one another’s Simchas. Approximately 30 percent of Elazar’s residents are either Olim from English-speaking countries, or are children of such Olim. It is not at all difficult to find an English-speaker on the Yishuv. The English speakers form a cohesive sub-community on the Yishuv and socialize frequently. Olim who wish to live in a community with an Israeli feel though, need not shy away from the relatively large number of English speakers. Olim and native Israelis regularly interact. Unlike some large, English-speaking communities, this one does not sport an imported character. Torah classes are offered during the week and on Shabbat by the Elazar’s Rav and other learned members of the Yishuv.

Source: Nefesh B’nefesh

This entry was posted on July 18, 2010 at 2:13 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Jerusalem and Environs by admin No Comments Yet