Arzei HaBira

Arzei Habira's central playground.

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

1. Eisenberg, Ronald L. (2006). The Streets of Jerusalem: Who, what, why. Devora Publishing Company. p. 29. ISBN 1-932687-54-8.
2. "Jerusalem neighborhoods: Arzei HaBira". Eiferman Realty. Archived from the original on 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2011-04-24.
3. Samsonowitz, M. (26 December 2001). "Retirement in Israel: Is it for you?". Dei'ah VeDibur. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
4. 10.1628/219222713X13874428011246
5. Groffman, Simcha (2009). "Eulogy of HaRav HaGaon Rav Mordechai Shakovitsky zt"l". ohr.edu. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
6. Levinger, I. M.; Neuman, Kalman (2007). Israguide 2007/08. Israel Guide, Ltd. p. 273. ISBN 978-1-59826-154-7.
7. "Maran Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht, zt"l". Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh. 2011. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
8. Israguide 2006. Heimishkeit Eru'im Vanofesh Ltd. p. 192. ISBN 1-58330-294-8.
9. Teller, Hanoch (1999). In an Unrelated Story: A compelling collection of newsworthy tales. Feldheim Publishers. p. 4. ISBN 1-881939-14-6.

31°47′35.09″N 35°13′25.44″E