— OF HEBRON
GUARDIANS
GUARDIANS
— OF HEBRON
Photography Layout
LEVIK HERTZEL KANNER.CO
Dear friends, You are about to turn the pages of a journey to the very soul of one of the holiest cities in the world. But if you thought you knew Hebron, get ready for an entirely new, deeper, heartfelt, and soulful perspective. Hebron comes from the Hebrew word “Chibur” which means connection and it is a city of connection: home to the famed “Gateway to Gan Eden” through which all prayers travel and fly on high; and home to the Jewish Patriarchs and Matriarchs — mankind’s connection to the beginning of time and a relationship with the Creator of universe. While this is all true, unfortunately, it’s not always seen. Say “Jerusalem” and thoughts of holiness, history and the Temple come to mind. Mention “Safed” and the mind’s eye visualizes mysticism and energy. But “Hebron”? Recent times have been harsh on the city, associating this holy treasure with visions of explosive violence, conflict, and military presence. But that’s not the Hebron we live and breathe in. Since our arrival in 2002, Chabad of Hebron’s mission has been to care for the city’s soul, cultivate it, inspire it to rise from the ashes, and to shine proud once again. “Visitors should get more than a military experience,” we proclaimed in defiance, and set out to open doors and pathways to Hebron’s spirituality and connectivity. That’s what you’ll see in the following pages: the souls and dedication behind the smiles; the courageous soldiers; the beating heart of humanity; unparalleled kindness and genuine care; and a city rich in history with the keys to the future. Enjoy the real Hebron, where every visit is like coming home to our ancestral parents where it all began. With blessings of our fathers,
R a b bi Dan n y Co h en
ITAI 19, Tzur Hadasa His bucket list includes: bungee jumping in South America, traveling around the world, and living in Amsterdam for a few years.
VLAD 19, Kiryat Bialik “I was a Jehovah’s witness until three years ago. Now I came back to my roots and joined the army.”
SHIMON 19, Ranana “My best memory of Hebron has to be the Chabadnikim that make army life fun. Out here in Hebron, I feel like we are really guarding something special.�
PHIL 20, New Jersey “How do you feel in Hebron?” “Me? I love the army. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about my family, but there is never a single regret in my mind. I love being based in Hebron. I get to wake up every day and feel like I am living my dreams. I find value and pride in my work and sometimes think I am too happy considering how much sleep we get. Also, the sunrises here are pretty sweet. They also help.”
ITAY 22, Haifa “Anything worth having in life, is worth fighting for.�
“LIFE IN HEBRON IS MADE MUCH EASIER BY THE CHABADNIKIM HERE.” NEHORI 20, Netivot
ALON 20, Modiin “I joined Nachal after hearing about it from my friends. Through all the tough times I have had in my year of service so far, what helped me to get over it was the people I’ve met so far. My new family.”
ARIEL 23, San Francisco So what’s the craziest thing you ever did in your youth? “Well... I once started a 20-man fight in school when someone made an anti-semitic comment. I guess I was destined to end up joining the Israeli Army.”
ARIEL 21, Othniel “I want to be a commander to help train the next generation of soldiers. My greatest pleasure in the army is knowing that we are preventing terror attacks on a daily basis.�
ODED 20, Elkosh His favorite line as a soldier. “I will chase my enemy and not return until I destroy them.� - Tehillim 18:37
RON 20, Yokniyam “Hebron is the City of our Fathers. Now, as a soldier, I feel even more connected when I’m guarding the roots of Israel and all of it’s descendants for all future generations.”
TAL 20, Ma’alot “There are those that call combat soldiers crazy. I call it ‘faith in your way.’”
DANIEL 20, Mazkeret Batya “I think that Hebron is a unique place because all of the history and holy places.�
AVIAD 19, Neve Ativ “I like Hebron because it’s an unique place where I feel I’m actually doing something. I see the people I’m protecting everyday. And I see the appreciation on their faces and their acts of kindness towards us, such as: food, companionship, and their genuine admiration towards what we’re doing. Its an amazing experience. Leaving base is also great, don’t get me wrong. To finally see my friends and family and to let go of the stress really makes a difference.”
GILAD 20, Jerusalem “The smile in the photo is because I enjoy serving my country and it gives me satisfaction.�
ERAN 20, Haifa “Of all the places that the army is in the land, I feel that Hebron is the most important.�
“CHABAD OVER HERE IS THE BEST. ALWAYS RUNNING AROUND TO HELP THE SOLDIERS, ALWAYS HOSTING US ON SHABBAT AND MORE. ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE ENTIRE GIVATY BRIGADE, WE THANK YOU.” EMANUEL 20, Jerusalem
MATAN 20, Jerusalem “To be protecting the City of our Forefathers is the most fulfilling thing that I have ever done.�
ILYA 21, Haifa “My favorite song lyrics? ‘I’m grateful before You, for all of Your truth and grace, the good and the bad. The good that You’ve done with me and with my family, with my relatives, friends, and fellow citizens. And with the whole world and its people that You created.’”
RUBIN 25, Spain “Volunteering in the IDF has taught me that, in life, it’s crucial you do what you feel is right; that you do what you love. It’s great to listen to what others say, but ultimately it’s your life. Before I enlisted I had no support – my family and friends were scared. But deep down I knew that this is what I wanted. So I put my life and career on hold, moved to Israel, enlisted, learned Hebrew, and joined a combat unit. The most challenging and enriching experience of my life has given me memories and friends for life. I have no regrets. Do what you love and everything else will fall into place.”
PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE SIFREI TORAH WRITTEN IN THE HOLY CITY OF HEBRON
UDI 19, Haifa “Hebron, is a tough job, but the locals warm the heart and make it that much easier.�
RONEN 19, Ohr Yehuda “There are those who say we are crazy, but I say that we are the holy ones!”
LIAT 18, Israel “Guarding here in Hebron is an honour that I cherish daily.”
ESTHER 19, Netanya “The most exciting thing I’ve done in life was making Aliya from France.”
EVENTS TAKE PLACE REGULARLY IN GAN DAGAN BUILT BY CHABAD OF HEBRON IN TEL ROMAIDA
YINON 20, Kiryat Shmoneh “To serve in Hebron, really is something special which gives the power to serve in general. As well as the love from the community here is overwhelming, But most of all, having our forefathers right around the corner is what really gives us strength.�
ORIEL 21, Rechovot “Here in Hebron we really see that 8 months of training are for real. But we also know that we always have a home here at the Beit Chabad, which takes us out of the routine and makes us feel like we’re home.”
DAN 26, Nivai Ilan “Seeing every day the people who we are protecting makes this job that much more meaningful. Hard as it is.�
YAM 19, Or Yehuda “I joined a combat unit to experience difficulty in life. Before the army, I was a problem child and after a year of service and endless changes in me I’m a new person. I serve in Hebron with a lot of pride and look forward to the future. Nachal is not another division in the army, it’s a real family.”
“A soldier has to be properly equipped (helmet, vest, etc.) for protection. A breach of this discipline is not only an offense against himself, but also against the whole unit whose safety is weakened by the failure of one soldier. So, too, does every Jew have special “equipment” ordered by G-d — of which Tefillin is among the most important — and it’s necessary not only for his safety but also for the benefit of his fellow servicemen.”
THE REBBE
ORIEL 20, Ashkelon “ I want everyone to be able to live their lives in peace. What we do is very important as it leads to that goal.�
RON 21, Near Tel Aviv “I want what most of us want. A few months with no responsibility, lying under a coconut tree with a beer in the hand, just freedom, empty head.�
MIRIT 20, Netanya “I love shoe shopping. “I hope to go to commander’s course.”
TAMAR 20, Haifa Tamar is the base moral booster. Arranging fun things for the soldiers — outings, barbeques and the like.
SACHAF 20, Nahariya “Walking the streets of Hebron every day gives new meaning to being a soldier.�
SLAVIS 20, Tiberias “Here to serve all of those who did this for me all 12 years I’ve been living in Israel.”
VIEW OF MEARAT HAMACHPELA AS SEEN FROM TEL ROMAIDA
HEBRON STYLE GRAFFITI
BATSHEVA COHEN AT ONE OF HER EVENTS FOR FEMALE SOLDIERS
THANK YOU for joining us on the tour of Hebron, the faces that guard it, the people that inspire it and the locations that fill it.