Just over a year ago, Ayelet Hashachar celebrated the opening of a shul on Kibbutz Menara in the Upper Galilee. The scenic kibbutz has two claims to fame: Leon Uris visited the kibbutz while researching his novel, Exodus, and Yitzhak Rabin’s sister, Rachel Yaakov, is a kibbutz member.
In 1903, pioneers established Deganya Aleph, the first kibbutz in Israel, on the shores of Lake Kinneret. Moshe Dayan was the second baby born there. Ten years ago, a kibbutz member, opened the first shul on the kibbutz in a tiny room. A year ago, the young man, a father of four boys, passed away. In his memory, kibbutz members decided to move the shul to a better location that would include a separate women’s section. They chose the kibbutz’s former dining hall, a historical building built in 1936. The opening of the new shul was slated to coincide with the 103rd anniversary of the kibbutz. Having already co-coordinated several other programs with the kibbutz, Ayelet Hashachar once again stepped forward: this time to fund the furnishings for the new shul.
This year, Ayelet Hashachar also provided funding for furniture for a shul on Kibbutz Moledet, after the former secretary of Yitzchak Rabin, Aryeh Brosh, turned to the organization with a request for help. Similar financial aid was extended to Kibbutz Tel Yosef, in north-east Israel and moshav Ramat Tzvi, also in the north-east of the country.
Inspiring a City
Modiin, in central Israel, is a thriving model of the new Israeli city with over 75,000 residents. However, it’s infrastructure for authentic Jewish living and education needed a boost. In 2001, Ayelet Hashachar moved in with a core group of eleven families who have been running a community kollel, programs for children, a youth club with study sessions and trips for teenagers, and seminars for adults. In 2005, after receiving the blessing of HaRav Aharon Leib Steinman, the beginnings of what started as a dream began to take shape. The tall glass windows and imposing structure of Ayelet Hashachar’s shul are now a feature of the Kaiser neighborhood in the city. In March 2012, a magnificent hachnassas Sefer Torah ceremony took place with hundreds of local residents joining the procession or looking on from their windows.
As we hear the footsteps of Mashiach approaching, Ayelet Hashachar and its banner of peace is leading the way to greet him, through unity and friendship.
