Aminadav

Aminadav is a moshav in central Israel. Located southwest of Jerusalem near Yad Kennedy, it falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council. In it had a population of.

Etymology

The 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, who, according to the Book of Ruth, was one of King David's ancestors. His son, Nahshon, is considered by tradition in the Talmudic tractate Sotah to be the first person who agreed to cross the Red Sea after the Exodus from Egypt.

History

The village was established in 1950 by Yemeni Jews on the lands of Al-Walaja. Between 1952 and 1953 it absorbed more immigrants from North Africa as well as some native Israelis.
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.
Aminadav was located on land that had belonged to the Palestinian village of al-Walaja.

Aminadav forest

The Aminadav Forest, spread over 7 km², 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. 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.