Published in Women's Magazine
Making Neighborhood | Sarit Levi Ashkenazi l Photography: Michal Ochion
Yonatan and Avital Hirshhorn arrived at Neria following friends, stayed because of the empowering Torah atmosphere and fell in love with the community. With Yonatan's recruitment to the standby squad, their connection to the place and neighbors deepened and they are convinced that here they want to build their home
The Hirshhorn Family
Yonatan (36) and Avital (33) Hirshhorn, he is a lecturer at a midrasha for girls from abroad, and she is a sales worker in high-tech.
Status: 10 years of marriage + 3 (Nava aged 9, Tamar aged 8 and Akiva aged 3.5).
Address in Waze: Neria.
Why here?
The couple, who both grew up in Neve Daniel in Gush Etzion, returned from a four-year mission at the University of Maryland, where they served as rabbi and rebbetzin of the campus on behalf of the O.U. They lived in Netanya, Yonatan was a rabbi at a midrasha and over time they realized they wanted to raise their children as they grew up – in the reality of a settlement, and began looking for a suitable community. "Two parameters that were especially important to us were a community where religion and Judaism are the central values, and there is a warm community atmosphere – but not suffocating", they say. "We wanted to live with simple and God-fearing people, and so it was. Everyone here has their own way of serving God, there is no desire to dictate one way except a deep connection to Torah and God, which are the pillars in the settlement".
Friend brings friend
"We arrived following good friends who told us about the charm of Neria, and we really felt that this is not just a hill with a house. We made an impression tour, Avital arrived at the playground and saw that all the parents were talking among themselves and with the children and not 'stuck' in phones", says Yonatan. "At the Mincha prayer in which I participated in the settlement I got a feeling that people really want to come pray. Like that, without participating in a hosting Shabbat, we decided that this is the place for us, and a year and a half ago we moved. In retrospect we understood that the friends who introduced us to Neria also arrived following other friends, who also arrived following friends. We laugh and say that everyone came here following one person".
Children's prayer
A friend of Yonatan founded "children's prayer" on Shabbat, in the multipurpose building. With the expansion of the neighborhood and the increase of children, Yonatan joined him to hold the children's prayer. Today the prayer has become renowned and about 50 children in kindergarten and first grade participate in it. "A friend of mine asked: 'You keep them for 45 minutes?', but the truth is I don't keep them, they want to come and enjoy – and not just because of the candy. After the prayer we study Mishnayot or Tehillim and then study the weekly Torah portion and halacha. The children are happy and I enjoy it", says Yonatan.
Vibrant social life
"There are bonding evenings for men and bonding evenings for women, there is an amazing community coordinator and people who really invest their time, energy and money to create a good social atmosphere. The settlement is growing and we no longer know everyone, so at the bonding evenings connections are created with people we wouldn't meet in another situation. Many things happen here and everyone can find a sub-group where they will receive support and can contribute".
Narion
"The settlement's newspaper comes out weekly with information about prayers and various announcements. In the secretariat's word they share with the public what is happening and the dilemmas that arise on the ground, and there is a feeling of transparency. When issues came up that residents wanted to discuss, the secretariat held a discussion and sharing evening. There are opinionated people here, but that evening gave a feeling of listening and a desire to find solutions".
Days of war
Yonatan has been recruited to Neria's standby squad since the beginning of the war, and only recently began to combine work at the midrasha in parallel. "There is a strong sense of security in the settlement because they invested in a crazy camera system, radars and many professional people who deal with security". The upcoming Passover will be celebrated by the Hirshhorn family for the first time at their home, since Yonatan is committed to the standby squad. "There are positions that need to be manned 24 hours a day, so we divided the shift so that each person will guard for an hour and can participate in the Seder night", he explains. Avital adds that Yonatan's recruitment to defend the home and community strengthens their sense of belonging to the settlement, the connection to the community and the desire to build their home in Neria.
A place to pray in
The central synagogue is located at the top of the hill, and in addition there are minyanim in the multipurpose building in the young neighborhood and a minyan in the Sephardic multipurpose building. On Shabbat there are also Yemenite minyanim in Shami and Baladi customs, and a Moroccan minyan. "When the Moroccan minyan held a hilula for Baba Sali and when the Americans held an evening in memory of Rabbi Carlebach, they invited everyone to participate. Besides that, many Torah classes are held for men, women, youth and children, and there is a midrasha for women that operates one day a week".
A place to hang out
"The landscape in Neria is mesmerizing, full of wadis and valleys. We love to hike with the children at the springs in the area or visit Anava Park in Modi'in, a distance of about 25 minutes drive. Those looking for restaurants and cafes can find them in Modi'in or at Shilat Junction, 20 minutes drive away, and Jerusalem is also 50 minutes away, not including traffic jams".
Main grocery
"In the settlement there is a grocery store where the inventory is regularly updated, and as a standby squad member who stands a lot at the gate I see a delivery vehicle almost every day", Yonatan smiles. "There are those who shop in Kiryat Sefer, 10 minutes drive away, or at Shilat Junction, where there is everything", adds Avital.
Education system
In Neria there is a daycare and several kindergartens as well as an elementary school for girls, and in nearby Talmon there is an elementary school for boys. Neria also has an ulpana for girls and a Talmud Torah for boys up to eighth grade. Youth continue to study at the yeshiva in Hashmonaim, in Modi'in or at various boarding schools of their choice. "The informal education system in the settlement also puts the children and youth at the center. Everything revolves around the branch of the 'Ariel' youth movement and the 'Oz' movement for children, and they are constantly thinking how to advance them and give them a feeling that they are part of the settlement".
Gratitude
"A few weeks ago an appreciation evening was held for the youth for their contribution during the war. They helped in all areas, cleaned, babysat at the families of the recruited and prepared meals. About a week ago an appreciation evening was also held for the wives of the standby squad recruits in the settlement, with the aim of strengthening morale", says Avital. "The evening included words of encouragement from the regional rabbi and the sector commander, a pampering meal and ceramic creation. We received a thank you letter from the couple and a thoughtful gift, and it was moving and empowering".
Expectation
Yonatan and Avital bought a duplex house in phase B project in the settlement, managed by "Harei Zahav" company. The house will be ready in about two years, and according to the plan the living room, kitchen and dining area will face the breathtaking view of Neria. "The entire project consists of single-story or staggered houses, so that everyone will be able to enjoy the view. Yonatan is already looking forward to sitting and studying with the children in the living room".
According to them, the project allows diversity in types of apartments and a response to various needs. "There is nothing stronger for a child than to see his parents living a life of mission, hosting and giving of themselves. A personal corner for each one is also from our perspective a supreme value, and we are already waiting for our own home, with a garden and a room for each child".
