Barav Group

Barav is a longstanding family-owned development and management construction group active in residential and commercial projects. The projects range from single buildings to entire neighborhoods, including all necessary infrastructure such as water, sewage, communication, electricity, and roads. The company also operates in urban renewal projects (Pinui-Binui and Tama 38/2) and in the construction of business complexes that include office and commercial and logistical centers. Founded in 1987 in Massachusetts as SCG Management Corporation, the company has nearly 40 years of experience in real estate, investment, management, and development, having developed several exclusive apartment communities all over New England.

Bringing American Standards of Quality to Israel

Due to its demand for uncompromising quality, Barav has established an impressive reputation in the field of residential development and construction in the U.S. In 2007, Barav Ltd. was established as the Israeli branch, quickly earning a name in the local real estate market for its construction quality, professionalism, and emphasis on customer satisfaction.

Financial Strength and Productive Collaboration

Barav Group’s high financial resilience, combined with collaborations with various business partners, enables it to raise significant capital quickly. These capabilities allow the company to participate in capital-intensive public tenders and projects, ensuring financial flexibility and prompt decision-making regarding project involvement.

Company Values

Barav’s core values, which have guided the company since its inception, form the foundation for all its operations. First and foremost is honesty and transparency—interactions with customers and partners are conducted with maximum fairness and openness. Secondly, the company aims to maximize returns for investors, seeking to generate the highest profits from every transaction. Another critical value is uncompromising professionalism, characterized by attention to detail and creative thinking. Lastly, Barav is driven by a deep sense of patriotism, viewing the development of the Land of Israel as a paramount value.

Elie Gertel, Founder of the Company

The company was founded by Elie Gertel, a third-generation developer from a family engaged in real estate, investment, and commerce for decades. Born and raised in Boston, Elie built a successful career in the tech industry, working for several large American tech companies. As a lover of Israel and a Zionist, he decided to “make Aliyah” with his family in 2004. After quickly securing key positions in the flourishing Israeli tech sector, he declined a request from his managers to return to the U.S. to expand operations, opting instead to establish the Israeli branch of SCG Management Corporation. The name “Bar Av” is a portmanteau of the Hebrew words “Birkat Avraham,” a tribute Elie made in memory of his grandfather, Abraham Levovitz, who blessed him on his journey to Israel, echoing the Biblical blessing given to Abraham: “Now HaShem said unto Abram: ‘Leave thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee.’”

Selected Projects

• Boston Business Center: An innovative and prestigious business center in Rishon LeZion’s western commercial and entertainment hub, located between the “Hazahav” Mall, Cinema City, and the G2 Complex, the center spans approximately 40,000 square meters and includes 12 stories of office space, ground floor retail, a two-level parking garage, and a large storage facility of varying sizes. The location has optimal transportation accessibility to the Moshe Dayan Railway Station, the future light rail train, and major transport arteries—Road 20 and Road 4.

• HaPark Tower, Netanya: An upscale 16-story residential tower featuring a diverse mix of apartments, including 3, 4, and 5 room units, mini-penthouses and penthouses. Residents enjoy an impressive lobby, luxurious specifications, and dedicated parking with a separate storage room and balcony for each apartment. The building overlooks Netanya’s Winter Lake Park and is within walking distance of the beach, surrounded by green parks and community services.

• Neve Ganim, Haifa: A large-scale complex in the Neve Ganim neighborhood, in collaboration with Danto Ltd. the project consists of 7 buildings with 225 apartments, including 3, 3.5, 4, and 5-room units, garden apartments, and spectacular penthouses. The site features meticulous landscaping, green gardens, public buildings, a synagogue, and a commercial center, with views of the sea, Haifa Bay, Rosh Hanikra, and the Galilee mountains.

• Radin Yeshiva, Netanya: One of the most magnificent yeshiva buildings in Israel, constructed by Barav at the request of the Netanya Municipality in memory of the original yeshiva founded in 1869 by Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaCohen Kagan (Hafetz Haim) in Radin, Poland, which was destroyed in WWII. The modern yeshiva campus was opened in 2017 and is renowned for its beauty and lavish specifications.

• Ben Zakai, Jerusalem: In the Katamonim neighborhood, Barav is planning a unique urban renewal project in collaboration with the Itzik Tshuva Group. The project involves demolishing a 56-unit apartment building originally built in the 1950s and constructing in its place two impressive residential towers with a total of 230 new apartments, along with ground floor commercial space. It will also feature a spacious underground parking area spanning five stories, with each apartment receiving a large balcony, a dedicated parking spot, and a separate storage unit.

• Nili, Jerusalem: A Tama 38/2 urban renewal project in the Katamon neighborhood. The property is within walking distance of the President’s House and the Jerusalem Theater. The company is demolishing a 13-unit apartment building and constructing in its place a new boutique building with 26 new apartments.