Ohr Chabad

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Where Chassidic wisdom comes to life. Imagine a place where Chassidus becomes a reality. Welcome to Neve Chabad.

Where chassidim live in sincere effort to fulfill the dreams of our Rebbeim. A place where children run freely and discover the world through the eyes of the Torah. Imagine living in a village where everyone is welcome to discover their innermost treasures, while encouraged by a loving community.

10/05/2026

Ever wonder how water pipes are laid?
Here’s a trencher, digging lines for the pipes that will bring water to Ohr Chabad.
Mesmerizing, isn’t it?

03/05/2026

We’re starting off differently than originally planned.

The original Ohr Chabad blueprint includes homes of all sizes, with spacious yards and guesthouses.

We’ll still have that, but not in the beginning. The first neighborhood will be very different. Perhaps something more whimsical.

A good town isn’t a collection of houses. A good town is made up of a beautiful and close-knit community of people. Where neighbors borrow eggs, and new moms receive a flow of meals and childcare; where friends sit around and learn together, and where the group cheers each other on with every step through life.

That kind of town isn’t built by housing plots sold to the highest bidder—it’s built by good people who are ready to put in the work.

So the blueprint for one little neighborhood was redrawn. Nobody will be building houses there. Instead, 30 little prefab homes will be put in place, along with a shul, preschools, playgrounds, and community spaces.

Prefab, because it’s quick to build, slightly easier to get permits for, and can be established long before the other neighborhoods are ready for construction.

These cute little prefab homes will make up the Founders’ Neighborhood. Where 30 idealistic families come together to build the mythical village.

It won’t be easy — these 30 families will be the first on the hilltop, figuring out grocery shopping, schooling, garbage removal, and establishing a town council together.

But when the cement is poured and the houses of the large neighborhoods go up, there will be a real community ready to bring it to life. The walls will be filled with warmth, the streets with friendly chatter, and the shuls with harmonious prayer and big bear hugs.

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The photos below are AI illustrations of the Founders’ Neighborhood, which we’re working on building now.

The truth is that we were promised it would be built already, and we’d have moved in months ago. Unfortunately, we met too many delays due to the war and excessive bureaucracy, and now we’re well behind schedule.

But the first steps of smoothing the area have been done, the water and electricity are about to be laid, and we’re grateful to G-d and all the helpers He’s given us to get to this point. Now we’re ready to bring this neighborhood to life.

Stay tuned for more details…

30/04/2026

Before you can build anything new in Israel, the Antiquities Authority needs to come.

It’s a love and fear moment.

If they find something of value, they could hold your development back by many months or years, or even stop it altogether. But how amazing is it to find remnants left behind by your ancestors?!

We knew there would be some findings around Ohr Chabad. Right next to our first neighborhood is the ancient “Yatir Ruins,” full of caves, water systems, wells, an olive press, mosaic tiling, and pillars of an ancient synagogue. It’s estimated that some of these structures were built during the Second Temple era.

But we weren’t ready for what was actually uncovered.

See, the city of Yatir is mentioned in the Torah multiple times — it is in the region belonging to Caleb Ben Yefunah, but was designated to the Leviites. It is also right in between Hebron and Be’er Sheva. Remember that bit.

When the Antiquities Authority got started, we were relieved that the findings in our first planned neighborhood were minimal. But as they moved into the next area, things got interesting.

We had to secure a ₪5 million budget for the Antiquities Authority to get a team of 30 diggers and three lead archeologists full time, to uncover some long lost treasures. Thankfully, the Housing Ministry stepped up for us, and got it covered.

Next thing you know, an archeologist named Avshalom was showing us around as diggers uncovered a 3,000 year old city, where the tribe of Levi settled during the First Temple Era.

Walls of stone — not carved — whole stones placed together with mud to build ancient houses. Bakeries in caves with chimneys. Underground food storage. Water systems that carried rain through tunnels and into deep wells.

A mikva (ritual bath) that appears to have a water heating system. Actually, we’re still not entirely sure what it is, because something like this hasn’t been found before. More digging will tell us.

What fascinated me the most was when Avshalom pointed out a long dirt path, lined with stones, placed many millennia ago. This, he said, may be part of an ancient road which Abraham would have trekked on his way between Hebron to Be’er Sheva.

So now, in the middle of New Ohr Chabad, we will host the uncovered ancient Yatir, where the Leviites once taught Torah to visitors of all kinds.

We still have so much more to uncover, so much work to do. Follow along as we keep you updated; and when it’s ready, come visit.

Together, we’ll walk along the path of our forefathers.

28/04/2026

One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced in building Ohr Chabad, is also one of the reasons it’s so important that we build it.

Quick Israeli civics lesson:
Israel’s towns and cities are divided into councils. While each city has its own local council, small towns are bunched together to create a regional council. These councils are responsible for taking care of the residents, as well as upkeep and security of the land.

Most of today’s regional councils were established in the first decade of the modern state of Israel. It’s basically just the map of israel divided into geographic regions with 8-20 small towns each.

But when the regional councils were established, one big area got left out. There are several reasons why this area was ignored, but the most significant reason is that no one wanted to take responsibility for it.

The area included a vast chunk of the Negev desert, and many small nomadic Bedouin tribes. These tribes were wanderers: they never lived under any civil authority before. Most had migrated from the Sinai Peninsula or Saudi Arabia.

The nomadic tribes were accustomed to setting up camp at any spot in the desert, and then relocating every few years—leaving heaps of trash and pollution behind. Being nomadic, they were not accustomed to paying property taxes for upkeep, nor electric or water bills.

Over time, several Bedouin tribes worked with the Israeli government to establish legal cities. But many chose to remain nomadic.

No one wanted to take responsibility for the nomadic tribes. So this large neglected area became splattered with massive abandoned garbage dumps, and lawlessness.

At the edge of this area is the Yatir Forest - the world’s largest hand-planted forest, planted by Keren Kayemet LeIsrael, with donations from friends of Israel worldwide. A national treasure, surrounded by garbage dumps.

We’re building Ohr Chabad in the center of that forest. But we couldn’t build a new town without a regional council. So, together with our partners and friends, we needed to force the government to take responsibility for this area. The entire abandoned area.

It’s been a long bureaucratic nightmare. Six years long. We now have a temporary arrangement, enough for us to start building and move in. Soon, the entire area will be divided between regional councils.

Now, dozens of new towns can legally be built in this area. The garbage will be cleaned up. And a key part of Israel will finally be on the civic map.

To sum it up:
One of our biggest challenges was the lack of a regional council.
The solution is saving this entire area from pollution, crime, and criminal smuggling operations.
The bonus is all the other new towns that will follow.

Pictured: This week, a geographic committee set up by the Interior Ministry set out on tour to determine the borders of the new regional councils. We presented our recommendation in the Yatir Forest.

06/11/2025

This could be one of the oldest rainwater wells still in use!
You’ll find it right at the outskirts of first neighborhood we’re building in Ohr Chabad. The incredible well could have been built over 2,000 years ago, by the Levite tribe who lived here.
The well uses a system of rocks to funnel rainwater down the hill, and into the well. Swipe through the photos to see how!
A Bedouin family which lives in tents nearby the Yatir forest comes every week to fill up water bottles. They told us that the water in the well keeps their family hydrated and clean through the entire summer season—until the next rain begins!

04/11/2025

Some things you just have to see for yourself. The beautiful Ohr Chabad sunset is one of those—no camera does it justice. Only the words מה רבו מעשיך ה׳, how wonderful are Your creations, G-d!
And may that wonder stay with us forever.

03/11/2025

Scroll to the end for our favorite picture —>

25 Ohr Chabad families got together for the most meaningful and uplifting Shabbos—a sneak peak at how Shabbos will look once we move into our new yishuv.

It was a Shabbos of pure unity, love for G-d and the world He made, learning and striving to grow, and joy seen on everyone’s faces.

The children ran free, playing together all day, helping each other out, and plotting ways to make Shabbos last forever.

The incredible moments were nonstop, but the camera was only out for a few minutes before and after Shabbos. Fortunately we caught one moment of hilarity for all time:

The 6-7th grade boys after cleaning up their bedroom (where many junk food parties were had), handwashing the floor with toilet paper and water.

19/10/2025

More than 350 guests joined us for the ultimate camping trip in the Yatir forest, where Ohr Chabad is being built!
Throughout the day our visitors enjoyed jeeping, exploring archeology, science and drum shows, bouncy castles, a live game, creating artwork, and Geva’s famous therapy zoo.
And after the sunset, we all gathered around for the most soulful and uplifting bonfire concert.
And up until 4am, singing could be heard coming from the Sukkah.
We hope you’ll join us next year, for the ultimate adventure!

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Arad

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https://ohrchabad.com/

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