Zionism: The Untold Story of Haredi Settlement Today

Isaac Greenwald, a Polish immigrant and descendant of a respected Hasidic family, found his life transformed after World War I. Initially trained for the rabbinate in Poland, Greenwald’s path shifted when a fellow Jew, referred to as “Goy,” challenged him with the question, “You are a Jew, what are you doing here? Go to Palestine, this is your place!” This encounter prompted Greenwald to leave his family temporarily and journey to the land of his ancestors.

Greenwald began promoting his vision among synagogue congregants, gathering support from notable figures such as Rabbi Noah Gad Weintraub, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kasher, Yaakov Rosenblum, and Rabbi Yechiel Meir Morgenstern, the great-grandson of the Kutsk Rebbe. At a meeting in Morgenstern’s home, attended by around 40 individuals, they resolved to establish a settlement named “the memory of David” in the Land of Israel.

Greenwald, the driving force behind the settlement, crafted a comprehensive plan that included land distribution, water access from the Ein Arvum springs, and a self-sufficient agricultural community. His vision was meticulously recorded in a notebook, adorned with verses and red ink, reflecting his deep spiritual commitment.

In formulating his practical plan, Greenwald aimed to acquire fertile land, establish a garden town, and create an economic model based on agricultural production rather than urban trade. He envisioned a community that would revive the southern regions, lower land prices, and reduce the influence of urban elites. His plan emphasized a simple, healthy lifestyle, distancing from city luxuries and fostering a connection between Jerusalem and Hebron, two spiritually significant cities.

Greenwald’s vision also encompassed a diverse agricultural enterprise, including vegetable gardens, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees, alongside poultry farming. He anticipated the potential for tourism and transportation, envisioning summer residences and daily commuting for city dwellers. All of these initiatives were to be conducted in accordance with Torah and tradition, emphasizing a life of dependence on the land, home, and sustenance.

This settlement project, rooted in both spiritual and practical aspirations, reflects the broader Zionist movement’s efforts to establish a self-sufficient Jewish community in the Land of Israel, aligning with the biblical mandate to dwell in the land and cultivate it.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)