An Eye on Zion: Ofra

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print

Nestled in the hills of the Benjamin region in Samaria near the historic Mount Baal Hazor, Ofra is more than just a suburban area. It is a testament to the timeless bond between the people of Israel and the land God promised them. With the bustling energy of present-day pioneers reclaiming their ancestral homeland, Ofra is where the divine plan for the Jewish People comes to life in vivid detail.

Nearly 4000 years ago, Abraham and his family journeyed back from Egypt to the Promised Land. Seeking God, Abraham came to Mount Baal Hazor, the area between Bethel and Ai, where he first erected an altar to God. However, strife among their shepherds led Abraham and his nephew Lot to part ways. They surveyed the region from atop Mount Baal Hazor and divided their territories. Lot, enticed by the allure of materialism chose to go eastward to Sodom. In contrast, Abraham stayed behind, heeding God’s call to settle the land promised to him and his descendants for eternity.

 

Fast forward to 1974, seven years after Israel liberated the Biblical Heartland. The land remained barren, untouched by Jews due to the Israeli government’s reluctance to develop the region. But a group of idealistic religious pioneers dared to tread. With little more than faith as their guide, they set out to reclaim the area where God once made a covenant with Abraham. Lacking experience but brimming with determination, they miraculously secured menial jobs at a local army base. They slowly laid the groundwork for the first Jewish community in modern Samaria–Ofra.

     Rooted in the Biblical principles of compassion and mutual responsibility, the people of Ofra echo the spirit of their forefather, Abraham. Through religious education and compassionate initiatives like the Heart of Benjamin program, they are raising the future leaders of Israel, instilling a profound connection to God and an unwavering commitment to the Land of Israel in the younger generation.

But their triumphant story did not escape tragedies over the years, including terror attacks and fallen soldiers. The recent loss of IDF hero Captain Liron Shanir, a son of Ofra, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in defense of the beloved land. Liron’s life embodied courage, faith, and a deep-rooted commitment to Biblical values, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

Despite many trials over the years, the people of Ofra are steadfast in their commitment to develop and defend the land God entrusted to them. But they need your help! Your donation today to give a special needs child the ability to experience field trips, hikes, and other excursions during the week before Passover is a priceless gift to the parents and brings indescribable joy to a child at Heart of Benjamin. Please donate generously for a Special Needs child to experience camp the week before Passover.

 


Related News

An Eye on Zion: Kochav Yaakov

Just over a century later, a group of devout pioneers sharing the same love and passion for the Land of Israel, founded a new community just north of Jerusalem. Drawing their inspiration from Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira, they named it “Abir Yaakov,” the same venerated title that was used to address the late Rabbi during his life. Subsequently renamed “Kochav Yaakov,” (“Star of Jacob”), the community has absorbed many Jews who, like Rabbi Abuhatzeira, left their respective countries of birth to live in the Land of Israel.

Read More
Mar 3, 2025

The Evil That Surrounds Us

As we watched the return of what we thought were the bodies of four beautiful Israelis, we wept with the families and with all of Israel. Shiri Bibas and her two gorgeous red-headed children, Kfir and Ariel — their story and their pictures traveled the world and became the symbol of the evil and cruelty of the Hamas terrorists.

Read More
Feb 25, 2025

An Eye on Zion: Kiryat Arba

On April 4, 1968, Rabbi Moshe and Miriam Levinger, a visionary couple, registered themselves and dozens of others to stay at Hebron’s Park Hotel. Just ten months after the People of Israel liberated Hebron and the rest of the Biblical Heartland during the Six Day War in 1967, this dedicated group excitedly planned to hold the city’s first Passover Seder in several decades.

Read More
Feb 17, 2025

The Price We Pay for Caring

What an emotional roller-coaster! Last Sunday and again this past Saturday, we waited with baited breath to see which hostages would be released and what they would look like. It had been more than a year since the last hostage release, and no one knew what their condition would be.

Read More
Jan 28, 2025

A Week in Washington D.C.

The experience of participating in what could be one of the most pivotal moments for Judea and Samaria left an indelible mark on me. I want to share with you, my friends, the highlights of this extraordinary journey.

Read More
Jan 23, 2025

An Eye on Zion: Yakir

The pioneers named the nascent community “Yakir,” meaning “precious,” the precise Hebrew word used by God to describe His “son,” Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:19).

Read More
Jan 13, 2025

Life in a Villa in a Jungle

It is hard to believe that another year has gone by—another year of seemingly unending war, tragedy, loss. There are still 100 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. While at least 36 have been murdered, it is not clear how many of the remaining 64 are still alive.

Read More
Dec 31, 2024

An Eye on Zion: Avigayil

Drawing their inspiration from the Biblical figure Avigayil (Abigail), Elisha and his friends decided to establish a new community in the southern Hebron Hills. They parked an old bus on a plot of land facing Maon, the ancient Biblical site where Avigayil lived.

Read More
Dec 9, 2024

Israel Welcomes Trump

What an astounding result in the US elections! While this regime change will have significant effect on many issues in the US, as an Israeli, I want to share with you my thoughts, which reflect the thoughts of so many in Israel, on how this change will affect Israel.

Read More
Nov 19, 2024

An Eye on Zion: Bet Hagai

On Friday evening of May 2, 1980, a group of students from Nir Yeshiva, located on the outskirts of the Biblical city of Hebron, excitedly headed to the Cave of Machpelah. There, they joyfully welcomed in the Sabbath with uplifting prayers.
That evening, however, terrorists threw grenades and fired bullets in the direction of the students, murdering three of them.

Read More
Nov 11, 2024