About Mitzpeh Yericho  back to top^
The modern yishuv was established in 5738 (1977). The original "Gar'in Yericho" was supposed to settle on government lands adjacent to Jericho. The members began setting up camp during Sukkot, 5738, but due to the objection of the Defense Minister, they were moved to Mishor Adumim. During the intermediate days of the holiday, Ariel Sharon (then Minister of Agriculture) arrived and suggested settling the barren hill "Tibek Riash". Within days the settlers established the community on that hill, living in rented mobile homes and tents. Electricity was supplied by a generator - sporadically. In 1981, the building of permanent homes began.

The original group of settlers was mixed - both religious and non-religious. Due to friction between the two groups, the community split. The religious members remained in Mitzpeh Yericho, on the hill overlooking Jericho; while the non-religious members established a new yishuv - Vered Yericho below, much closer to the town of Jericho.  

Residents  back to top^
There are currently more than 300 families living in Mitzpeh Yericho. About 250 live in regular houses, while 50 live in temporary housing (mobile homes and "eshkubiot"). All families are expected to follow a religious lifestyle. One of the conditions for acceptance to the yishuv is for women to cover their hair.

The residents are engaged in a wide range of occupations: doctors and kollel students, programmers and teachers, businessesmen and social workers. About 20 % of the population are english speakers.

Education back to top^
On the yishuv there are daycare centers, pre-K and kindergarten programs. For small children until grade 2, there is also an Activity Center run in the afternoons.

The yishuv has a religious elementary school for grades 1 to 6, part of the "Noam" school system. All classes are separate for boys and girls. The school moved into its new building in 2004. There are English classes for native English speaking students, organized by veteran English teacher Gaila Morrison (see Amutat A.H.A.V.A. for details). For students in grades 1-4 there exists a "Moadanit", which provides various educational programming after school hours. And for students from third grade up, there are activities organized by the Ezra youth movement.

For junior high and high school, most students travel to Maaleh Adumim (15 min.), Ofra (40 min), or Jerusalem. Some boys study in Netivot Yosef, Rav Sabato's yeshiva high school and post high school, located in Mitzpeh Yericho itself.

Housing back to top^
About 250 live in regular houses, while 50 live in temporary housing (mobile homes and "eshkubiot").

Amana  is presently constructing four 115 meter homes priced at $160,000 NIS.

A new project  offering 100 housing units, some overlooking the Dead Sea will be starting soon.

Transportation back to top^
There are 8 buses which daily come into the yishuv. In addition, all buses servicing The Northern Dead Sea region stop at the crossroad (around 10 buses a day).

Cultural Activities back to top^
The yishuv provides a very active social calendar for adults and youth.

Religious Life back to top^
The central synagogue is located in the heart of the yishuv, and is blessed with several minyanim each day. The Sephardic congregation just moved into their new, beautiful synagogue. On Shabbat and Yom Tov, several additional minyanim function, including a Yeminite service, a shtieble, and a Carlebach "happy minyan".

Torah studies:The Sephardic minyan organizes a "Friday Kollel" for all residents. The chief rabbi of Mitzpeh Yericho, Rabbi Yehuda Kroizer, gives Torah classes each evening in the central synagogue. There are various other classes in Halacha, Musar, and Jewish thought, under Rabbi Yehuda Vizner's responsibility.

The yishuv boasts two mikvehs - one for women, and one for men.

Community Services back to top^
The Benjamin Area JCC ("Matnas") provides many afternoon and evening clubs, such as ballet, judo, drums, etc. There are also privately run clubs (chugim) and lessons for arts & crafts, musical instruments, sewing, etc. Rabbi Bargil runs a very successful afternoon Talmud Torah for 200 children, grades 1 to 6, with classes in Torah, Mishna, Gemara, and Halacha.

The local library rotates books with the Benyamin area libraries, and has a small English children's section. Currently the yishuv is building a mulit-purpose facility to house the local grocery, offices, stores and youth activities. There are also plans set for a community swimming pool and a permanent day-care.

Health Services back to top^
The Yishuv has clinics the Klalit and Me'uchedet health providers. Members of  the Maccabi health provider benefit from a traveling doctor who makes house calls, and use the Maccabee clinic in Maaleh Adumim. In addition, several doctors, dentists, and nurses live locally. The yishuv has its own ambulance. The nearest hospital, Hadassa (Mount Scopus), is 20 minutes away (maybe a little less by ambulance).

Commerce back to top^

There is a local grocery store and a Rami Levy nearby.

Physical Surroundings back to top^
Along with the unbelievable picturesque views that can be enjoyed from the hilltops of Mitzpeh Yericho, this yishuv can also boast about its many beautiful nature reserves:

Absorption back to top^
Mitzpeh Yericho is not an absorption center with a network of ulpanim and support services in place. But it is a yishuv with idealistic and caring residents who are deeply committed to helping to settle olim. When a new family comes to Mitzpeh Yericho, the community is ready with an adoptive family, meals, and people available to help with the many details associated with settling in at a new country. There are ulpanim and government offices in Ma'ale Adumim and other nearby places. As is the case with most yishuvim, residents must pass through an acceptance committee.