Build the Security Fence

Starting off on a hilltop far from the nearest community, surrounded by forests and ancient wells, there will be plenty of danger around — particularly for adventurous little kids. Building a fence around the Pioneers Neighborhood will keep the small kids in and the big dangers out. For the young families of Ohr Chabad, a secure perimeter is not a luxury — it is the most basic requirement before a single family can move in with peace of mind.

The Negev desert is a landscape of raw, untamed beauty. The Yatir Forest, the largest planted forest in Israel, stretches across the hills with dense woodland giving way to open desert terrain. Beneath the canopy and across the rocky ground, the wildlife is as real as the scenery — wild boar roam freely, packs of jackals call out at night, venomous snakes shelter among the rocks, and scorpions are a constant presence. For adults who understand these risks, the desert demands caution. For small children drawn to every hole in the ground and every rustling bush, it demands a fence.

“When you build a new house, you shall make a guardrail for your roof, so that you shall not bring blood upon your house if one falls from it.”

— Deuteronomy 22:8

The community's location adds another dimension to the need for security. Situated in the southern Negev near strategically sensitive areas, the settlement sits in a region where alertness is part of daily life. Every community in this part of Israel — from the smallest moshav to the largest kibbutz — maintains a security perimeter as a matter of basic protocol. Ohr Chabad is no exception. A proper fence with gated access, security lighting, and alarm integration is what transforms a collection of homes on a hilltop into a protected neighborhood where families can live, children can play outdoors, and the community can grow.

Security is not separate from the spiritual mission of building a Chassidic community in the Negev — it is foundational to it. The Torah obligation of building a guardrail teaches that creating a safe environment is itself a mitzvah. Just as the Rebbe spoke of settling the Negev and bringing light to the most remote corners of the Land of Israel, that vision can only be realized when the pioneers and their children are safe. A fence around the Pioneers Neighborhood means parents can focus on building, learning, and growing without the constant worry of what lies beyond the next hill.

Your donation will make it possible for the first families to settle with confidence. Every meter of fencing, every gate post, every light along the perimeter is an investment in the safety and future of an entire community taking root in the desert.

What Your Donation Provides

• Perimeter security fencing
• Gate and access control systems
• Security lighting around perimeter
• Child-safe barriers and rails
• Emergency alarm integration
• Professional installation and surveying

By contributing to the Security Fence campaign, you are protecting the pioneers who are building a Chassidic community from the ground up. Every family who walks safely within these borders — today and for generations to come — will owe their security to those who made this possible.