I first visited Alei Zahav more than 20 years ago.  It was a small, rather sleepy, community, populated almost entirely by secular Jews.  They had a strong connection to the Land of Israel and were proud of their community. 

A few years later, I visited again and encountered residents who had grown older and were worried about their lack of growth.  The younger secular generation was not as interested in settling the heart of Samaria.  They pointed to a hill nearby and noted that it might be developed into an expansion of Alei Zahav.  And the rest is history. Almost overnight Leshem grew up alongside Alei Zahav and today both communities are booming and vibrant.

Join me in our next Community at a Glance video which enables you to visit Alei Zahav and Leshem.  And take a look at the amazing ruin of a Byzantine monastery, now a lovely park, with trees planted by you, our CFOIC Heartland donors, adjacent to Leshem.  Let’s hope that one day soon we will visit this beautiful area together, in person!

Shalom from Samaria,

Sondra Oster Baras
Director, Israel Office
CFOIC Heartland

https://youtu.be/f1eqrT1Fk74

Each year you help us plant trees in Samaria to develop the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This year, we are honoring the Sabbatical year and providing picnic areas and benches among the trees we have planted in previous years. Click here to honor the Shemittah year and continue to beautify the land. And you can memorialize or honor a dear friend or relative with your support.

Honor the Shemittah!