Expanding Ohel Yitzhak in Har Bracha, Israel, and Sharing the Legacy of Morocco’s Great Rabbis

Expanding Ohel Yitzhak and Sharing the Legacy of Morocco’s Great Rabbis A 500-Year Jewish Tradition, Alive in IsraelIn Har Bracha, a Jewish community in Samaria, Israel, a remarkable tradition of Moroccan Jewish life continues to thrive. Its roots reach back more than 500 years, to the Jews who settled in Morocco following the expulsion from Spain. Preserved through generations of the Deloya family, from the historic Slat Al Azama Synagogue in Marrakech to Ohel Yitzhak in Har Bracha, this tradition remains part of everyday Jewish life. At Ohel Yitzhak, the traditional prayers, Torah reading, pronunciation, melodies, piyyutim (liturgical poems), Halacha, and customs of Moroccan Jewry are carefully preserved. Children grow up learning these traditions, participating in synagogue services, and becoming the next generation to carry them forward. Over the years, visitors who grew up in Morocco have told us that stepping into Ohel Yitzhak brought back memories of the synagogues of their childhood. A Mission Beyond the SynagogueOhel Yitzhak is also home to a broader educational mission led by Rabbi Rafael Deloya. Rabbi Deloya works to bring the teachings and approach of Morocco’s great rabbinic scholars, part of the rich heritage of North African Jewry, into contemporary Israeli Jewish life. These rabbis led their communities with a deep commitment to Jewish law, an understanding of the realities people faced, love for the Jewish people, and a sense of responsibility toward the entire community. Their teachings can contribute to discussions that remain central to Israeli society today, including Jewish identity, conversion, Shabbat in public life, relationships between different Jewish communities, and the role of Jewish tradition in the State of Israel. Through Torah classes, publications, and activities connected to the Association of North African Rabbis, Rabbi Deloya works to share this legacy with wider audiences across Israel. The Expansion Is Underway. Help Us Complete the Next Stage.As the congregation has grown, the existing synagogue has become too small for its prayer services, educational programs, and community activities. The expansion will provide additional space for the congregation, including an enlarged women's section, and make it possible to host more classes, gatherings, and educational activities. It will also strengthen the community's ability to share this rabbinic heritage beyond Har Bracha. Approximately NIS 200,000 has already been raised and invested in the initial construction and infrastructure. The main structure of the expansion is now standing. The remaining work includes: • Acoustic ceilings, drywall, and interior partitions. • Electrical infrastructure and lighting. • Plastering, painting, and interior wall finishes. • Kitchen preparations and equipment. We are now seeking an additional NIS 250,000 to 300,000 to advance the remaining work and bring the expanded synagogue closer to completion. Your donation will help provide more space for a growing congregation, strengthen Jewish education for the next generation, and support the effort to share the teachings of Morocco’s great rabbis with more people throughout Israel. Join us in expanding Ohel Yitzhak and carrying this Jewish legacy forward.