- Location: Hebron Hills region, Judea
- Founded: 1984
- Geographical Significance: Located along the Trans-Judea Highway, which connects Kiryat Gat with Hebron
- Population: 92 families, and 300 children
Adorah was founded in 1982 as a Nahal settlement, in which an IDF unit first settled the community as part of their army service. In 1984, the first civilians settled in the community, replacing the IDF unit and paving the way for the beautiful community it is today.
The first settlers were secular Zionists, with a strong connection to the Land of Israel. These brave pioneers were determined to settle the newly liberated areas of Judea and Samaria and solidify the Jewish claim to Judea. While they were not committed to religious practice, they honored the Bible and believed it to be an accurate record of the ancient Israelites. In settling this remote area of Judea, therefore, they saw themselves as restoring Biblical Israel. Over the years, however, more religiously committed Jews joined the community to create the lovely blend of Jews that make up Adorah today.
In 2002, the community suffered a horrific terrorist attack. Two armed terrorists entered the community on a quiet Shabbat morning, dressed as IDF soldiers. Many of the men were in the synagogue. The terrorists first shot and killed a resident who failed to appreciate the danger in time because of their IDF disguise. Next, they entered a nearby home, where a young mother was getting her children ready to go to synagogue and join their father. They murdered Danielle Shefi, the 5-year-old daughter still in her bed, her bloodied Micky Mouse sheets a terrible picture of the tragedy that occurred.
Reeling from this terrible attack and from so many similar attacks occurring across the country at the time, many of Adorah’s residents left the community. They just could not handle the constant fear, the terrible anxiety. For years, the community stagnated, overcome by a somber mood that was hard to shake.
But then, miraculously, it received a new lease on life. A group of young religious families undertook to revive the community and moved in. Almost overnight, there were young children playing on the playgrounds again, young mothers shopping in the local grocery, and whole families in the synagogue. Adorah had come to life again.
Today, Adorah is home to 100 families and hoping to grow even more in the coming years.
Adorah was founded in 1982 as a Nahal settlement, in which an IDF unit first settled the community as part of their army service. In 1984, the first civilians settled in the community, replacing the IDF unit and paving the way for the beautiful community it is today.
The first settlers were secular Zionists, with a strong connection to the Land of Israel. These brave pioneers were determined to settle the newly liberated areas of Judea and Samaria and solidify the Jewish claim to Judea. While they were not committed to religious practice, they honored the Bible and believed it to be an accurate record of the ancient Israelites. In settling this remote area of Judea, therefore, they saw themselves as restoring Biblical Israel. Over the years, however, more religiously committed Jews joined the community to create the lovely blend of Jews that makeup Adorah today.
In 2002, the community suffered a horrific terrorist attack. Two armed terrorists entered the community on a quiet Shabbat morning, dressed as IDF soldiers. Many of the men were in the synagogue. The terrorists first shot and killed a resident who failed to appreciate the danger in time because of their IDF disguise. Next, they entered a nearby home, where a young mother was getting her children ready to go to synagogue and join their father. They murdered Danielle Shefi, the 5-year-old daughter still in her bed, her bloodied Micky Mouse sheets a terrible picture of the tragedy that occurred.
Reeling from this terrible attack and from so many similar attacks occurring across the country at the time, many of Adorah’s residents left the community. They just could not handle the constant fear, the terrible anxiety. For years, the community stagnated, overcome by a somber mood that was hard to shake.
But then, miraculously, it received a new lease on life. A group of young religious families undertook to revive the community and moved in. Almost overnight, there were young children playing on the playgrounds again, young mothers shopping in the local grocery, and whole families in the synagogue. Adorah had come to life again.
Today, Adorah is home to 100 families and hoping to grow even more in the coming years.
Stories that feature Adorah
Below are a collection articles and/or videos that feature Adorah if you would like to learn more about this amazing community:
