A Life Devoted to Israel: The Fascinating Journey of Sarah Levy

Sarah Adler was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1872. Her father, Meir Adler, was a successful fashion industrialist. At the age of 25, Sarah married Joseph Levy. The couple was very wealthy, living in various countries like the U.S. and Singapore due to their business ventures. They had three children and lacked for nothing.

In 1926, Sarah Levy was 54 years old—not exactly young, especially by the standards of a hundred years ago. Suddenly, she decided, along with her husband, to move to the land of Israel, which at the time was a challenging place to live. The Levy couple emigrated to Israel and began investing significant sums in real estate. They paid for a piece of land called 'Umm Khaled' on the shore in the Sharon region, which would later be known as 'Netanya,' as well as plots called 'Jabaliya,' which later became known as 'Givat Aliyah,' now part of Bat Yam.

In 1929, when Sarah was 57, her husband passed away, leaving her a widow. One might have thought that after traveling the world, conducting major business ventures, and earning a fortune—on top of establishing neighborhoods in Israel—it was time to rest.

But it turns out this was just the beginning of her life's work. In 1930, at the age of 58, Sarah Levy went on a vacation to the northern city of Safed. Back then, there were no cabins, no jacuzzis nor pools. Safed was mostly an Arab city, crowded and neglected, but the air was fresh, perhaps even more so than today, and there was just one pension.

Sarah was horrified at the thought of two thousand Jews living in this cramped city among ten thousand Arabs who wanted to destroy them. So she took action during her vacation—she bought 200 dunams of land on a mountain above Safed. Though barren and rocky, Sarah envisioned a Jewish neighborhood high above Safed, with an advantage for self-defense, a beautiful view, and fresh air. Today, that mountain is known as Mount Canaan, home to many of Safed's prestigious hotels.

In 1930, industries existed in New York and London, but not in northern Palestine. The mountain's construction was done using fifty donkeys that climbed daily with building materials and drinking water for the workers. Eventually, realizing the water supply was insufficient, Sarah built a rainwater reservoir at the top of the mountain, which still exists today.

After two years of construction, Sarah Levy, then 60, celebrated the completion of the project: ten residential houses stood at the mountain's peak. These homes were rented to Safed Jews for a symbolic fee. The apartments had running water and electricity, unlike most of old Safed, which was not connected to utilities. Another surprising innovation: each apartment included indoor toilets!

The main building was converted into a hotel (later named 'Canaan Spa' and still standing today) that quickly filled up with tourists. Sarah also funded transportation for children from Mount Canaan to school in Safed and opened a grocery store.

The Arab residents of Safed, envious of the new development, began to harass and sabotage, so Sarah hired the village chief of Amuka, known for his bravery and imposing presence, along with a large guard dog, to effectively deter threats to the Jewish residents of Mount Canaan.

Sarah also cared for the environment and beauty. She personally planted flowers and trees up the mountain.

But was it time to rest? Not at all—Sarah then focused on establishing an artists' village on Mount Canaan. An advertisement in Tel Aviv invited the public to get involved in the project: "At the onset of building a new settlement led by Mrs. Sarah Levy from Singapore, based on the principles of brotherhood and peace, in the most beautiful and healthy place in the country, almost one thousand meters above sea level, offering a stunning view of Israel and Syria, inspiring love for the homeland and courage for spiritual work..."

In 1936, the Arab uprising began. Arab rioters placed a bounty on Sarah Levy's head, the 64-year-old protector of the settlement... Some residents feared staying on the isolated mountain and left, but Sarah stayed. British commander Stafford informed her that he couldn't guarantee her safety, but she declared: "I will not leave my home." The commander relented, leaving British soldiers to guard the mountain. The residents remained safe.

Twelve years later, during the War of Independence, Sarah, then 76, refused to leave Mount Canaan. She invited the Palmach's Third Battalion to stay at the hotel, where they planned their operations. From her home, the forces set out to conquer old Safed and returned victorious. The street leading to the hotel is named 'Third Battalion' as a result.

After the establishment of the state, nearing 80, Sarah decided it was time to build a special synagogue on Mount Canaan. She supported building synagogues for Moroccan immigrants settled there, enshrining four Torah scrolls she saved during the Holocaust with great splendor and dignity.

Years passed. Sarah entered her tenth decade, contemplating her future in the next world... she decided not to leave the mountain even after her death, creating a special garden for her burial and obtaining state approval to be interred there. In 1969, Sarah passed at 97 and was buried in the garden she prepared, now in the courtyard of the 'Canaan Spa' hotel. The neighborhood around the hotel is called 'Kiryat Sarah.'

Such courage and determination, and so many merits.