Arzei HaBira

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

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