Uploaded March 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Americans Batya and Baruch Erdstein transplanted their family to the Gidonim hills on the Itamar ridge. The Shechem valley below and Mounts Gerizim and Eival to the west are the sites of new beginnings since Abraham came into the Land 3800 years ago.
Batya, who is of mixed Yemenite and Scandinavian parentage, creates pottery inspired by the Biblical landscape. Baruch studies and tends to their vegetable farm and guest house. The area infuses them with its blessings and strengthens them with its challenges. Not for the faint hearted, but as our friend, Ari Fuld z”l said “if life is easy you’re living it wrong”.
Americans Batya and Baruch Erdstein transplanted their family to the Gidonim hills on the Itamar ridge. The Shechem valley below and Mounts Gerizim and Eival to the west are the sites of new beginnings since Abraham came into the Land 3800 years ago.
Batya, who is of mixed Yemenite and Scandinavian parentage, creates pottery inspired by the Biblical landscape. Baruch studies and tends to their vegetable farm and guest house. The area infuses them with its blessings and strengthens them with its challenges. Not for the faint hearted, but as our friend, Ari Fuld z”l said “if life is easy you’re living it wrong”.
