Forging New Connections: The Tale of Bar Kochba

Descending from Har Gilo into the breathtaking landscapes of Nahal Helch, one discovers Neve Uri Farm. Established about six years ago, it is named in memory of Ori Ansbacher, of blessed memory, a brave soul tragically taken by a terrorist while exploring the beautiful terrain of the Jerusalem hills. In her honor, Lior and Racheli Tal chose to create a farm in the northern part of Gush Etzion, a location that until then lacked any Jewish settlement.

 

Spreading the Light

"Here, precisely in this blue zone," indicates Racheli Tal on a regional map in her hands, "Lior and our dedicated volunteers arrived in the freezing cold of the Gush Etzion winter during Tevet 5779. We came to protect the lands of Israel between Gush Etzion and Jerusalem: our ridge connects Sde Boaz, north of Neve Daniel, to Har Gilo, within the Gush Etzion regional council."

"Lior and I had previously lived for three years on a hill near Elon Moreh in Samaria, in Porat Yosef. Before marrying, Lior grew up in Beit Hagai in Hebron, while I was raised in the settlement of Neria in western Binyamin. My grandparents were among the first pioneers renewing Jewish life in Hebron after the Six-Day War. So, we both come from strong pioneering roots, deeply imbued with a dedication to the idea of our people's return to its ancient homeland."

"Before we came here, there were three kilometers of land empty of Jews, very close to Jerusalem. Lior and the volunteers initially brought essential equipment for establishing the farm. Subsequently, they roamed with our flock of sheep. Meanwhile, Lior documented the illegal Arab construction happening here, sending the images to the Civil Administration. He also recruited a construction company to further Jewish settlement in the area. Unfortunately, someone called evacuation forces against us, despite our full coordination with the council. We were settled on state lands."

Faced with challenges, did you ever consider giving up?

"Quite the opposite. We managed to return to and settle three and a half kilometers from the original site, continuing to pasture our flock. While Lior documented the ongoing illegal construction, we also planted an olive grove and claimed the land as our own, displaying a legal contract to the Arabs. Meanwhile, I and the children lived in Elon Moreh, visiting the settlement spot for Shabbat and during the week to water our newly planted olive trees."

Were you able to build your home and the farm subsequently?

"Not quite as quickly," Racheli laughs, recounting the challenges over the years: "It took six more attempts over six years to finally build our home and establish the farm." They built the kitchen and living room with improvised materials, surviving years without electricity and water: "We used electricity from a generator, bringing water in tanks by tractor daily."

"Two and a half years ago, the Arabs burned down the sheepfold we worked so hard to build. Still, we rebuilt it. During that time, my husband and the volunteers lived in harsh conditions to strengthen our presence. One of our dedicated volunteers, Sergeant Sharya Elboim, of blessed memory, from Moshav Mehola in the Jordan Valley, greatly assisted us. He later fell heroically at the start of the war in southern Lebanon."

"Lior worked as a welder on the tunnel road while also safeguarding our home and farm. Alongside raising our children, I work as an animal-assisted therapist and as a graphic designer. During this period, I gave birth to three of our children."

Several months after the war began, the Tal family was again ordered to evacuate their home, moving once more during the snowy winter, three and a half kilometers from their established farm. On this eighth ascent, the family rebuilt their home on the ridge."

Near the farm, the family planted "Kfir Vineyard" with the help of volunteers in memory of Captain Kfir Yitzhak Franco from Jerusalem, who fell in Gaza early in the war. "Kfir dreamed of planting a vineyard in Israel. His family and fiancée Naama Duplet took initiative and helped us establish this memorial vineyard. Nearby, we set up a viewpoint called 'Kfir's Lookout'. Additionally, we nurtured a spring in memory of Sergeant Shimon Yehoshua Asulin, of blessed memory, from Beit Shemesh, who once volunteered at our farm. He fell in Gaza just over a year ago. In Ori Ansbacher's memory, we built a home for at-risk youth, welcoming volunteers from across the country."

An Uncontainable Joy

In Sivan 5784, the Israeli government approved the establishment of five new settlements in Judea and Samaria, including Neve Uri Farm. Yaron Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Council, reflects: "We, the council members and pioneering settlers, are thrilled to realize the dream, with Hashem's help, of the dedicated and brave settlers and fighters of pre-state Gush Etzion: they sacrificed in fierce battles to establish and maintain Jewish settlements in this area, linking them to Jerusalem to protect and preserve it as Israel's Jewish capital. Thanks to Lior and Racheli Tal's dedication over the years, we established the Bar Kochba settlement next to their farm."

Racheli Tal shares her excitement over Bar Kochba's establishment by 12 families: "This was our dream for so many years. Already now, thousands want to live in the new settlement."

How is your relationship with the new neighbors?

"It's wonderful. We love them. We started with bonding meetings. On the exciting first night of settling, I prepared soups in generous quantities. For Tu B'Shvat, we held a seder at our home and planted saplings near the caravans the next day. During Purim, we hosted a seudah for all the families and held a parade with the children. I also show the new families how to be 'friends with the mud'," she says with a smile. "Additionally, we pray together on Shabbat and host kiddushes in our kitchen. We have a Torah scroll in a special wooden ark crafted with love and skill by one of our cherished volunteers, Sgt. Sharya Elboim, of blessed memory."

Being Part of Something Greater

Among the new Bar Kochba families is the Stern family – Asher, Hadas, and their children. Asher hails from Mitzpe Ramon and Hadas from Neve Daniel in Gush Etzion. "Before moving to Bar Kochba, we lived a few years in Bat Ayin," says Hadas. "Since the war began, my husband has been called up for three reserve duties, two in Gaza and one around the South. After moving to Bar Kochba, he was summoned under emergency orders to Etzion. Personally, the war's onset caught me just two weeks after giving birth to our new baby, which was overwhelming."

Despite the challenges of wartime, why did you choose now to join the Bar Kochba settlement effort?

"We are deeply connected to the heroic story of Gush Etzion's settlement. When we heard from the council head about a new settlement rising on the ridge between Gush Etzion and the outskirts of Jerusalem, Asher and I saw it as a rare chance to be part of something transformative – a joyful and empowering event for our people, especially in wartime. Our settlement is our firm answer to all our adversaries: we are here, in our land, to take root and build. As a native of Neve Daniel, founded by my parents, it deeply moves me that from our caravan window, I can see Jerusalem's Chords Bridge, Kiryat Menachem, and even further to Psagot. It's a daily wonder I am captivated by."

"Ancient Beit-eir, very close by, is where Bar Kochba and his soldiers fiercely battled the Roman conquerors 2,000 years ago. Here, everything converges: the present with our land's Jewish history and the future we aspire to build. Nothing is more stirring."

Hadas describes the excitement on settling the land: "We arrived in the dead of night while our children stayed with grandparents. Trucks brought our caravans, setting them in two rows. It took another day to connect water and electricity, with interruptions being part of the experience... After the first sleepless night, we brought our kids and additional supplies."

"The Tal family has supported us throughout. On every Shabbat since our arrival, they've invited us to pray at their home and hold all the kiddushes there. We also share holiday meals with them, always welcomed with a smile. On one freezing night, when our water heater burst and flooded our caravan, Racheli simply said 'Come to us', with open arms. Lior and Racheli provide perspective when they calmly recount the challenges they've faced to hold this land."

"The children are having a great time here: they explore with friends at every corner. Gazelles roam freely, and gorgeous flowers bloom in the wadi. With Hashem's help, we plan to establish a kindergarten and build a synagogue."

"I want to emphasize that each of us must rise from the national anguish following the horrific massacre and war, to continue hoping and striving for good, and with Hashem's help, to reclaim our hold on all of Israel. So from Gush Etzion, with 'The Eternal Jerusalem' as our guiding light, I call on everyone: Join us, take part!"