On December 4, 2010, Yemin Orde Youth Village was hit hard by the largest wildfire in Israel’s history.
The 2010 Mt. Carmel Fire destroyed thousands of acres in the Carmel Forest region of northern Israel, a typically lush and serene mountainous area, within close proximity to the Village.
Extensive Fire Damage to Yemin Orde
As the wildfire raced toward the Village, all children and staff members and their families were safely evacuated to another nearby youth village. Miraculously, there were no injuries. When the smoke finally cleared, nearly 40 percent of Yemin Orde was burnt to the ground. Key administrative offices, the library, classrooms and staff homes were either destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Incredibly, Yemin Orde’s synagogue remained untouched by the flames.
Return to the Village
Rebuild and Recovery
Today, Yemin Orde has completed a five-year rebuilding project. The Village’s aging infrastructure is now up to modern standards and new homes, offices and a new library stand in place of those destroyed by the 2010 Mt. Carmel fire. Additionally, there is a new entrance and a new perimeter road circling the Village for all vehicles, thereby making the central areas safer for pedestrians.
Thanks to the generosity of ImpactIsrael’s worldwide community of supporters, assistance from the Israeli government, and insurance reimbursements, displacement of the staff and children at the time of the fire was kept to a minimum; daily life resumed only one month following the fire.