Har Nof facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Har Nof
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Neighborhood of Jerusalem
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Aerial view of Har Nof, 2023
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| Country |  Israel |
| District | Jerusalem District |
| City | Jerusalem |
| Population | |
| • Total | 20,000 |
Har Nof (Hebrew: הר נוף, meaning scenic mountain) is a neighborhood in Jerusalem, Israel. It is located on a hillside on the western edge of the city. About 20,000 people live in Har Nof. Most of its residents are Orthodox Jews.
Contents
History of Har Nof
Har Nof has a long history. In ancient times, about 1,500 years ago, it was a farming area. It provided food for Jerusalem. People have found old wine presses, farmhouses, and terraces there. These show how people lived and farmed long ago.
The first modern homes in Har Nof were built in the early 1980s. In 1984, a religious leader named Grand Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Horowtiz helped build the Orthodox community in the neighborhood.
Geography and Landscape
Har Nof is built on the side of a mountain. The mountain is about 813 meters (2,667 feet) above sea level. Because of the hills, many apartment buildings have two entrances. One entrance leads to the lower floors, and another to the higher floors. Some streets are connected by long sets of stairs.
At the bottom of Har Nof is the Jerusalem Forest. This large forest was planted in the 1950s. It acts like a "green lung" for the city, providing fresh air and nature.
People of Har Nof
Most people living in Har Nof are Orthodox Jews. This includes both Haredi and Religious Zionist groups. Many residents are "olim," which means they are Jewish people who have moved to Israel from other countries.
There are large groups of people who speak English, French, and Spanish. The neighborhood also has communities of Ger and Vizhnitz Hasidim. These are groups of Orthodox Jews who follow specific religious traditions. Many Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews also live here.
Important religious leaders have lived in Har Nof. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a former chief rabbi of Israel, lived here. Other leaders include Rabbi Moishe Sternbuch and Rabbi Mayer Alter Horowitz.
Religious and Public Places
Har Nof has many synagogues (Jewish places of worship). It also has many yeshivas, which are schools for Jewish religious study. Rabbi David Yosef is the chief rabbi of Har Nof.
Some well-known institutions include Imrei Shefer, the Boston Shul, and Heichal Hatorah. The campuses of Neve Yerushalayim and She'arim College are also in Har Nof. These are colleges for Jewish women. Yechaveh Da'at is Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's synagogue and main religious center.
In November 2014, a violent event happened at the Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue. During morning prayers, attackers entered the synagogue. They harmed many people, killing five and injuring eight. Police officers arrived, and the attackers were stopped. One police officer later died from his injuries.
Getting Around Har Nof
The neighborhood is connected to the city center by Kanfei Nesharim and Beit Hadfus Streets. Several bus lines provide public transportation. This makes it easy for residents to travel around Jerusalem.
Community Activities
The people of Har Nof are active in their community. They started an environmental group called Shomera. This group works to protect the view of the Jerusalem Forest. They want to stop tall buildings from blocking the beautiful scenery.
Hachovesh is a group of volunteers who provide emergency medical care. Another group, Em Habanim, helps single-parent families in the Orthodox Jewish community. It was started in 1995 by Malka Yarom, a Har Nof resident. The group offers support to families, especially on the Sabbath.
Notable People from Har Nof
- Baruch Chait (born 1946), a religious leader, writer, and musician.
- Aryeh Deri (born 1959), a politician from the Shas party.
- Beatie Deutsch (born 1989), an ultra-Orthodox marathon runner.
- Ovadia Yosef (1920 – 2013), a famous Jewish scholar and former chief rabbi of Israel.
See also
In Spanish: Har Nof para niños
