Har Nof Neighborhood in Jerusalem
Har Nof neighborhood is another popular place to visit and a great place to live in Jerusalem as it features breathtaking views and historical sites.
The community of Har Nof is mostly Orthodox Jews but there are also other inhabitants from other sectors that constitute to the total population of the area. It has been said by those who have grown up in the area that Har Nof is home to some of the most striking views in all of Jerusalem. Har Nof sits high atop a hill and offers visitors and residents alike with expansive views of the Judean Mountains to one side.
It is known to be the highest neighborhood in Jerusalem, with the uppermost parts of its subdivisions rising 2667.32 feet above sea level. And since it is situated at the highest point of the city, the structure of most buildings here are multi-storey and with multiple entrances. Typically, an apartment here features one entrance going to its lower floor and another is designated for the top floor.
The Har Nof neighborhood also features a rich forest filled with thousands of trees called the Jerusalem Forest. It is situated just beneath the settlement, providing a breathtaking view when you’re at the highest point of the neighborhood. It is currently one of Jerusalem’s largest wooded areas and offers a welcome natural respite and getaway from city life.
This primarily ultra-Orthodox community is located far outside the downtown area. It is inhabited with Hasidi and there are also recent immigrants from English-speaking nations, and mosques. The main streets have a variety of retail stores and eateries that attract a diverse mix of shoppers.
The term Har Nof is originated from the stunning breathtaking views of the famous Judean Hills which can be observed from several spots across the suburb. Many prominent religious leaders, including leaders of the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox party Shas, reside in Har Nof.
Har Nof had been an agricultural community that served Jerusalem during the Talmudic period. On the suburbs of Har Nof, the remnants of ancient 1,500 years old winery, terraces, and farmhouses were discovered. This settlement has been identified as a key location for wine production in Jerusalem during that time period and served as a way for the locals to trade goods with people outside the city walls.
Earlier in the 1980s, the first houses in contemporary Har Nof were constructed. Levi Yitzchok Horowti, the Grand Rabbi of Boston decided to create a center in the neighborhood of Har Nof, Jerusalem, in 1984, which was essential in growing the town’s Orthodox community.
Th chief Rabbi of the Har Nof settlement is Rabbi David Yosef. He is known for his popular lectures and books and his activism in a variety of settings.
Har Nof neighborhood also houses a number of renowned synagogues and Yeshivas in Jerusalem. Addionally, there are also Torah institutions in the area such as the well known Imrei Shefer, Heicha Hatorah and many other Torah institutes.
In terms of education, the neighborhood is surrounded with prestigious schools and colleges. You can find here the She’arim College of Jewish Studies for Women and the Neve Yerushalayim.
The community of Har Nof, also founded a non-profit association for environmental protection Shomera. The organization’s goal is to prevent the construction of tall luxury structures that would result to obstructing the amazing view of the Jerusalem Forest. The founders are concerned about how this would negatively impact the environment both directly and indirectly.
Har Nof is indeed an amazing community to live in as it offers a lot of things from beautiful sites, rich culture, valuable history and great education.
