Twenty-three years ago, on the eve of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), Elisha Medan, who was preparing to complete his stint of service in the IDF, took on a new mission with several friends in defense of the Land and People of Israel. Drawing their inspiration from the Biblical figure Avigayil (Abigail), Elisha and his friends decided to establish a new community in the southern Hebron Hills. They parked an old bus on a plot of land facing Maon, the ancient Biblical site where Avigayil lived. Avigayil displayed enormous courage in her response to a potentially dangerous encounter between her husband Nabal and David. As she defused the situation, she demonstrated her unique disposition and ability to overcome the most challenging of situations. (I Samuel 25)
Three thousand years later, harnessing the same spirit exhibited by Nabal’s wife, Elisha and his friends founded “Avigayil” in the face of daunting challenges. Avigayil is isolated and surrounded by large Arab villages and cities. Recognizing that there was no time to waste as Arabs continued seizing more and more land in the Hebron Hills, the young men remained steadfast. Due to their unbreakable determination, Avigayil, a community largely comprising temporary structures, has persevered against all odds, standing to this day as a beacon of resilience. Last year, while serving as a reservist in Gaza, Elisha displayed the same resolve he had when establishing Avigayil. He was critically injured in battle losing both his legs. And yet, despite the terrible challenges that he faces today, he remains heroically committed to his faith and to the Land and People of Israel.
Avigayil got some great news recently. The community received official government recognition, enabling them to install permanent water and electricity infrastructure, as well as to build permanent homes. Avigayil has suffered terribly from inadequate water and electricity over the years, but that should shortly come to an end. While the government is responsible for the infrastructure, the community must install a central smart water monitoring system to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal loss of water from system breakdown. But they don’t have the funds necessary to do this – they need your help! The residents of Avigayil have invested their lives in rebuilding and restoring the Biblical Heartland. Now you can play a vital role in ensuring that Avigayil thrives and prospers for years to come!