Har Bracha- The Community

Har Bracha is a religious community which is located on Mount Gerizim in the Shomron. Har Bracha is mentioned in the Book of Deuteronomy: “When God your Lord brings you to the land which you are about to occupy, you must declare the blessing on Mount Gerizim…” (Deuteronomy 11:29). There are approximately 350 families currently living in the community.

Har Bracha is essentially composed of young families in their twenties and early thirties, however, there are also older families with married children who are raising the third generation on Har Bracha. The atmosphere amongst the residents is one of warmth and caring, including assistance to women who have given birth and families in distress. Social activities, such as presentations for the children and women’s evenings are constant features.
There is a large library, medical services, grocery store, pizza shop, and other businesses.

The community started as an army outpost, and in the year 5743 (1982), it was decided to turn it into a civilian community. Unlike other communities, there was no previous establishment of a group of families ready to move to there, and therefore, a number of families from surrounding settlements were called upon to help populate the new community. Approximately four years later, the majority of families had left – leaving three families all alone!
After a few months, a group of families from Machon Meir arrived to help get the settlement off the ground. Five years later, in the Jewish year 5753 (1992), the Hesder Yeshiva of Har Bracha was established. Since its establishment, the community has grown consistently.

Har Bracha is a Torah-based community. There are many classes given during the week, including Daf Yomi, halakha, and, of course, all the classes given in the Yeshiva are open to the public at large. For the women, there are five regular classes each week, and in addition, many women learn nightly in study pairs. The Rabbi of Har Bracha, Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, is involved in the life of the community, and his door is always open to anyone who needs help or advice.

Employment

The various educational institutions in the area supply employment for a large portion of the residents: the kindergartens and day-care center in the community, teaching in the schools in Elon Moreh, Itamar, Karnei Shomron, Ariel, and others. Many other residents work in various jobs and fields, basically in the Tel Aviv area. Others are still students, many of whom study in the University of Judea and Samaria in Ariel.

 

Agriculture

The high altitude (870 meters above sea level), and hilly atmosphere of the region makes the area suitable for growing vineyards and certain fruit trees. Har Bracha is the home of a large vineyard which produces grapes for wine. The owners of the vineyard established a winery ‘Har Bracha Winery’, and their wines are considered prestigious – having won prizes in wine festivals in Israel and throughout the world. There are also orchards and hot-houses which grow flowers for export. The community is located on Mount Gerizim, not far from the unique Samaritan village. Adjacent to the Samaritan village is “Mitzpe Yosef”, an outlook over Joseph’s Tomb, Mount Eval, the city of Schem and its surroundings.

        

The Future

Har Bracha, thank God, is constantly growing, and each year approximately 25 new families join our community, a fact which requires the continual planning and building of new houses. We are in the process of building the ‘Tzurim’ project which will add a 145 new apartments. We are doing our best to keep up with the growing demand!