Har Nof residents blast decision to change neighborhood’s name
Residents of Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood are in an uproar over a sudden decision by Mayor Moshe Lion to change the neighborhood’s name to “Neot Yosef,” in memory of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a leader of Sephardi Jewry and Shas, and Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.
The announcement was made on the sixth anniversary of Ovadia Yosef’s death. The decision will come before the municipality’s Naming Committee on Tuesday, with the change to occur following city council approval.
Residents who spoke to The Jerusalem Post requested to remain anonymous, as they felt having their names publicized could put them at risk.
“A name is not something bought with money or given as a gift,” said Y. “A name is something that people born there, grew up there, live there 35 years connected to emotionally. The name influences the neighborhood’s character.
“In one decision by one person... they decided to change the name of the neighborhood... without our knowledge, without asking us, without consulting with us,” added Y., who called the decision “dictatorial” and “aggressive.”
The neighborhood residents claimed that not even community leaders and representatives were consulted and the decision was not published in newspapers as required by law. A municipality spokesperson told the Post that the decision was made in coordination with neighborhood representatives.
Residents have opened a petition on the website Atzuma against the decision. As of Monday afternoon, over 2,400 people had signed.
“The petition opened among the people of the neighborhood and Jerusalem [is proof of] the outrage... for this strange and delusional decision,” said one resident, who asked Lion to change the decision or at least have the residents vote instead of “acting like a dictator.”
One resident said this forced decision isn’t the way of the religious leaders the municipality is trying to perpetuate. “Respect for others, consideration of others’ feelings [and] avoiding harming human dignity will be a remembrance and continuation of their glorious heritage they instilled in us, not anger, frustration and controversy.”
“The pleasant and pastoral name that has stood for 35 years since the founding of the neighborhood is a part of the neighborhood’s DNA and the character of the neighborhood... gives residents a feeling of independence and homeliness,” said another resident.