What would you like to know?
Frequently asked questions
Information about Ohr Chabad and the new community:
Because it’s needed. The growing Chabad population needs new communities for our young families to live in, and the world needs more light and dynamic centers for Jewish education.
The Rebbe saw this need almost seventy years ago, and requested that such a village be built. We are fortunate that we get to bring this vision to life.
OR Movement has partnered with the Ohr Chabad families to guide the development of the yishuv.
Read our blog to learn more about our garin families.
In the coming months, the first group of families will move into a temporary neighborhood of prefab housing, in order to supervise construction and begin shaping the community foundation.
Inside Ohr Chabad we will initially have a first-aid station and small convenience shop. As we build the community, we will eventually have all the amenities of our own.
Financial Matters:
Ohr Chabad is a grassroots effort that started with pocket money from its members. Generous help from OR Movement and several small donors has helped us spring forward to where we are today.
The government of Israel covers the expenses of developing the land for the yishuv, and installing infrastructure. We will need to fundraise for community buildings and projects.
If you’d like to help us out, please donate here, or contact us if you’re interested in donating a large gift.
We’re looking for investors who love the project and are primarily interested in the success of the community, and keeping housing affordable.
If you are interested in joining our impact investment fund, please contact us here.
There are many exciting opportunities open to those who love to invest in Israel’s future. Shuls, streets, mikvehs, schools, learning resorts, playgrounds, and many other projects are waiting to become beautiful structures named for exceptional people.
Please contact us if you would like to sponsor a program or building.
Sign up to join the wait list and to learn when the plots will be ready for sale.
Buy A Home
There are many benefits available for people who make aliyah, including paid flights, an absorption allowance, and rental assistance.
There are occasionally additional benefits available to those who make aliyah, or relocate to communities in the south of Israel, such as Ohr Chabad.
Visit the Nefesh BNefesh website to read about those extra benefits.
Joining Ohr Chabad and living in the new community:
Ohr Chabad will be built in multiple stages, in order to grow a sustainable community environment.
In the first stage, which will begin in 2023, thirty families will move into a neighborhood of temporary infrastructure to shape the community foundation. There are just a few spaces remaining for this stage, and we are looking for highly capable and peaceful families with a shlichus mindset. If you’re interested in joining, please fill in an application form here.
The second stage follows the first, and 100 families (including the original 30) will purchase plots and build homes in the first permanent neighborhood of Ohr Chabad. These families will be building the first physical infrastructure of the yishuv, and again will need to have a shlichus mindset and be focused on building a loving community. If you’re interested in purchasing a home in the first neighborhood, please fill in an application form here.
The remaining 400 homes will also be built in stages of around 100 at a time.
One goal of the Ohr Chabad community is to keep the cost of living affordable in the long-term. To that end, there are no plans for home rentals in the early stages.
To own a home in the yishuv, interested buyers need to apply to the community acceptance committee here. Families who are accepted will be informed when the plots are ready for sale.
The community will be building homes through one contractor, to ensure that homes are built in a timely fashion, and at up to 30% lower cost. The contractor will provide four models of varying sizes from which every family will choose. After the home is built, each family can customize their interior to their liking.
Home owners will be expected to complete construction of their home and move in within a specific timeframe.
Safety Concerns:
Southern Israel is a large area. The area we hope to build in is actually quite far from Gaza, and has been very quiet. Regardless, we have a diligent and experienced security committee, as well as a responsible Regional Council who is putting all security measures in place.
Importantly, the Rebbe assured us that Eretz Yisroel is the safest place in the world, where Hashem’s eyes watch over us day and night.
We have a zero tolerance policy for child abuse of any form–including sexual abuse. People with any history of abuse or tolerance of abuse will not be allowed to live in Ohr Chabad.
Any suspicions of abuse on our yishuv must be reported straight to the police, and is recommended to be reported to the community Rav as well. Victims will receive the complete support of the community, and community leaders.
Community governance and management:
Ohr Chabad is a legal yishuv with a legal governing body under the Interior Ministry, and operating under the Tamar Regional Council, which provides the wider services.
The governing body of the yishuv will be part of an “אגודה שיתופית חקלאית להתיישבות קהילתית,” which is a shared settlement society. Yishuv members will be members of the Agudah, and allowed voting rights on all major and financial decisions. A board of management will be elected every four years.
Once the community is settled, a Rav will be elected, and he will establish a spiritual committee who will oversee the community’s spiritual needs. Until then, the spiritual committee is run by members of the community chosen by the spiritual advisory board of Aguch.
There are protocols for community members to open new shuls and services where they see the need, through elections of qualified management.