Most people fall quiet at the edge of Pnei Kedem. The Judean Desert drops away beneath you, the Dead Sea glints in the distance, and the sky seems to widen. Olive groves line the hills, vineyards run along the slopes, and pockets of lavender add color and scent to the dry air. You come for the view, then realize there's a grounded, values-driven life here.
Residents will tell you the view is only the opener. The deeper reason families choose to build a home here begins after you turn around and start meeting people.
Pnei Kedem is a village deliberately built by pioneering families, many of them new immigrants from English-speaking countries. A few founding pioneers, including Michael Lourie from Melbourne and Aaron Factor from London arrived in 2000. They didn't move into a ready-made place. They created it.
"Starting a new place from almost nothing, there were many fears and the unknown," Michael recalls. That beginning shaped the culture. Pnei Kedem wasn't formed around convenience. It was formed around intention—people showing up, taking responsibility, and building something together.
Today, Pnei Kedem is home to around 80 families, including young families with kids. Efrat, with supermarkets and services, is about 20 minutes away. Jerusalem is roughly 35-40 minutes away. Route 60 access, public transportation, and school buses make daily logistics manageable.
In the village itself: a synagogue, Beit Midrash, mikveh, kindergartens, and Bnei Akiva. A few minutes away in Metzad: seven synagogues, yeshivas, a market, plus Shabbat takeout and catering.
What surprises many visitors is how personal it feels. "We know all the neighbors," says Rabbi Ralph Tawil from Brooklyn. "We're like one family, one community that helps one another."
Shabbat invitations come naturally. Help is offered without fanfare. There's space to contribute—you're not just welcomed; you're needed in the best sense.
For young families raising children, that combination of calm and meaning matters. Kids spend time outdoors. Friendships form across homes. Schools throughout Gush Etzion serve students of all ages, with transportation provided.
Now, Pnei Kedem is preparing for its next chapter, with Harey Zahav leading a new phase of development: private homes and semi-detached houses with gardens, starting at ₪2.5 million. Around 70 units are planned, with about 50% offering views of the Dead Sea. Target delivery is around 2029.
Whether you're planning aliyah or already live in Israel, this is an opportunity to join a community at a pivotal moment in its growth. For families seeking a private home within reach of Jerusalem, anchored in community life that feels warm and real—Pnei Kedem is the kind of place you need to stand in to understand. Buyers may qualify for a Mas Rechisha (purchase tax) exemption in Judea & Samaria — confirm eligibility with your attorney.
About the developer: Harey Zahav
Since 2007, Harey Zahav has been building homes and communities in Israel. We specialize in spacious family homes with private gardens in communities across Judea & Samaria and throughout Israel. Over 2,000 units have been delivered, and we have over 3,000 more on the way.
If you’d like to learn more about Pnei Kedem — or explore other communities and projects that may be a better fit — our English and French-speaking team at Harey Zahav would be happy to assist.
To schedule a call or tour:
Contact: Shlomo Ben David +1 646-809-4577 | shlomob@hzahav.co.il |+972 53-4648451 https://www.hzahav.co.il/en/
Start with the view. Then meet the people.
This article was written in cooperation with Harey Zahav