The first Israeli structure built by the Israeli government in Judea and Samaria following the 1967 Six-Day War – a synagogue founded by one of the most prominent rabbis of the era, Rabbi Shlomo Goren – will be rededicated after years of neglect.
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The structure, situated at Binyamin Regional Brigade Headquarters base, became a synagogue in 1968 by Israeli troops who had been sent to the area following the war. In 1977 it was used by the early settlers who founded Beit El.
Over the years it was left without proper maintenance, and now with the Beit El Municipality gaining jurisdiction over the area, it will finally emerge from its decrepit condition. The restoration project will be part of the authorities' construction of new homes in the area on plots that were previously part of the military base.
David Nizri, who heads the Beit El Municipality's Religion Department told Israel Hayom about how had learned of the special history behind the building.
"When we hosted the Beit El yeshiva for Independence Day in 1993, then-Chief Israeli Rabbi Shlomo Goren told us about how just after the war he had asked the authorities to build a large structure that would represent a sovereign state's presence," Nizri said. He added that Goren said it was imperative that the state do this as part of the fulfillment of the ancient biblical promise by God to liberate their ancient homeland. The approval was summarily granted after that appeal.
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