Aminadav (Hebrew: עַמִּינָדָב) is a moshav in central Israel. Located southwest of Jerusalem near Yad Kennedy, it falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council. In 2023 it had a population of 914.[1]
Aminadav
עַמִּינָדָב عميناداف / عميناداڤ | |
|---|---|
| Hebrew transcription(s) | |
| • official | Amminadav |
 Aminadav forest | |
| Etymology: Named after Amminadab | |
  Aminadav | |
| Coordinates: 31°45′5″N 35°8′33″E / 31.75139°N 35.14250°E | |
| Country | Israel |
| District | Jerusalem |
| Council | Mateh Yehuda |
| Affiliation | Moshavim Movement |
| Founded | 1950 |
| Founded by | Yemenite Jews |
| Population (2023)[1] | 914 |
Etymology
editThe name "Aminadav" is a combination of two Hebrew words; "Ami"- my nation, and "Nadav"- generous, giving, or volunteering; thus Aminadav translates "a generous people" and the moshav is named after the biblical figure Aminadav,[2] who, according to the Book of Ruth (4: 18–22), was one of King David's ancestors. His son, Nahshon, is considered by tradition in the Talmudic tractate Sotah (36:2-37:1) to be the first person who agreed to cross the Red Sea after the Exodus from Egypt.
History
editThe village was established in 1950 by Yemeni Jews on the lands of Al-Walaja.[3] Between 1952 and 1953 it absorbed more immigrants from North Africa as well as some native Israelis.[citation needed]
The moshav faced shortages and poor security. In its early years, it saw hunger, political disputes, water scarcity, clan conflicts, and relocations of several families.[4][5][6]
Aminadav was located on land that had belonged to the Palestinian village of al-Walaja.[7]
Aminadav forest
editThe Aminadav Forest, spread over 7 km2 (700 ha), is a combination of natural woodland and trees planted by the Jewish National Fund along the Salmon-Sorek contour. The forest overlooks the Sorek and Refa`im riverbeds and the Jerusalem hills. In the forest are several natural springs, ancient agricultural terraces, orchards, ancient wine presses and chalk pits.[8] The Lord Sacks forest is a forest of 25,000 trees being planted within the Aminadav forest by the JNF, UK. It is named for Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, Lord Jonathan Sacks.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^ a b "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ Carta's Official Guide to Israel and Complete Gazetteer to all Sites in the Holy Land. (3rd edition 1993) Jerusalem, Carta, p. 77, ISBN 965-220-186-3
- ^ Hareuveni, Imanuel (2010). Eretz Israel Lexicon (in Hebrew). Israel: Matach. p. 765.
- ^ "9 נפצעו ו"23 נעצרו בעקבות קטטה המונית במושב "עמינדב" במושב התימנים שבהרי — הארץ 4 פברואר 1953 — הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-08-10.
- ^ "17 משפתות הועברו ממעבדת עמינדב — הבקר 26 נובמבר 1951 — הספרייה הלאומית של ישראל │ עיתונים". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-08-10.
- ^ "10 "שובים חדשים הוהמו במאי תל־אביב עשרה יישובים חר | על המשמר | 9 יוני 1950 | אוסף העיתונות | הספרייה הלאומית". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-08-10.
- ^ Khalidi, W. (1992). All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948. Washington D.C.: Institute for Palestine Studies. p. 323. ISBN 0-88728-224-5.
- ^ "Aminadav forest". My-country-israel.com. Archived from the original on 2011-11-19. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ JNF Lord Sacks forest Archived May 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine