Arzei HaBira explained

Arzei Habira (Hebrew: ארזי הבירה ) is a Haredi neighborhood in Jerusalem. It is bordered by Ma'alot Dafna to the north, Shmuel HaNavi to the west, Beit Yisrael to the south, and Road 1 and Sheikh Jarrah to the east.

Etymology

Arzei Habira literally means "Cedars of the Capital", referring to Jerusalem.^[1]

History

Arzei Habira was established after the 1967 Six-Day War in an area which had previously been classified as no-man's land bordering Ramat Eshkol.^[2] It was originally considered a sub-neighborhood of Ma'alot Dafna, which was developed around the same time, although it developed its own character and is now known as a separate neighborhood. It is a densely developed area of high quality apartment housing situated around a large, central grass park. It is home to more than 200 families.^[3]

Archaeology

In 2012, construction work revealed the façade of a previously undiscovered burial cave. While excavation inside was not feasible, the intricate style of the facade, likely designed in the Attic style, indicates its probable association with a larger group of elaborate Jewish burial caves dating back to the late Second Temple period.^[4]

Notable residents

• Mordechai Shakovitsky was the rabbi of Arzei Habira as well as the posek for neighboring Yeshivat Ohr Somayach from 1977 until his death in 1998.^[5]
• Yosef Efrati, aide to Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv^[6]
• Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht, rosh yeshiva, Kerem B'Yavneh^[7]
• Yaakov Hillel^[8]
• Chaim Tzvi Yair Senter, rosh yeshiva, Yeshiva Aderes HaTorah
• Hanoch Teller^[9]

References

31.7931°N 35.2237°W

Notes and References

1. Book: Eisenberg, Ronald L. . The Streets of Jerusalem: Who, what, why . 29. 2006 . Devora Publishing Company . 1-932687-54-8.
2. Web site: Jerusalem neighborhoods: Arzei HaBira . Eiferman Realty . 2011-04-24 . 2016-10-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161010035457/http://www.eifermanrealty.com/ShowNb.aspx?id=16 . dead .
3. Web site: Retirement in Israel: Is it for you?. Samsonowitz . M. . 26 December 2001 . 15 June 2011 . Dei'ah VeDibur.
4. 10.1628/219222713X13874428011246
5. Web site: Eulogy of HaRav HaGaon Rav Mordechai Shakovitsky zt"l . Groffman . Simcha . ohr.edu . 15 June 2011 . 2009.
6. Book: Israguide 2007/08 . 273 . Levinger . I. M. . Neuman . Kalman . Israel Guide, Ltd. . 2007. 978-1-59826-154-7.
7. Web site: Maran Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht, zt"l . Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh . 2011 . 15 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110613135007/http://www.kby.org/english/history/?id=5. 13 June 2011 . live.
8. Book: Israguide 2006 . Heimishkeit Eru'im Vanofesh Ltd. . 192 . 1-58330-294-8.
9. Book: Teller, Hanoch . In an Unrelated Story: A compelling collection of newsworthy tales . 4. Feldheim Publishers. 1999 . 1-881939-14-6.