Gush Etzion

The Regional Council of Gush Etzion is located southeast of Jerusalem. One of the most important characteristics of Gush Etzion is its diversity, expressed in the variety of settlements and the mixture of religious, secular, traditional, and Haredi communities, from every ethnic background and socio-economic level.
Gush Etzion has developed quite a bit in the past decade and has doubled its population, boasting a population of more than 24,000 residents today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes

  • Local Ulpan
  • Local weekly conversational Hebrew classes even for Olim Vatikim
  • Highly subsidized Matnas Chug for children for the first year
  • 50% off Matnas cultural events (shows, concerts, festivals) the first year
  • Tuition subsidy the first year, highly subsidized trips and workshops for all Olim
  • Bat Sherut home visits for some Olim families
  • Employment assistance through the Gush Etzion Olim B’Taasuka network
  • A basic furnished apartment to use as a temporary base for up to the first 3 weeks, contingent upon availability

[email protected]

Oleh Coordinator
Caroline Schuhl-Schattner
[email protected]

Young Olim Coordinator (for olim under age 36)
Shoshana Porath
[email protected]
052-334-3392

https://www.facebook.com/Gush-Etzion-Regional-Council-258740908206911

https://www.baitisraeli.co.il/_klita/en/

English-speaking Olim can be found throughout Gush Etzion. There are high populations of Olim in the following communities:

  • Neve Daniel
  • Elazar
  • Alon Shvut
  • Tekoa
  • Bat Ayin

Olim Friendly Yishuvim

Looking out from Neve Daniel’s summit on a clear day, it is possible to see the tall buildings of Tel Aviv toward the west, and the mountains of Jordan toward the east.

This Yishuv does a wonderful job of welcoming new residents into the community and helping them to feel part of the family atmosphere. The strong Anglo presence is felt in this community, but for the most part the English speakers have a strong desire to integrate into the greater Israeli culture, and to raise their children with a strong sense of being a natural participant in the native Israeli activities.

This all Orthodox yishuv is led by a dynamic and beloved Rav who works hard to make sure that the many different populations that call Neve Daniel “home” feel connected to one another.

Devora Rabinovitz
058-401-4089
[email protected]
Every day – morning hours

Anglo Olim Coordinator – Gush Etzion

Ruti and Avi Eastman
[email protected]
054-258-1974

Married, orthodox, adult children

Tamar Farkas
[email protected]
050-656-5825

Married, orthodox, 5 children

When asked to describe their community, residents of Elazar choose words like “warm,” “hevrati” (social), and “diverse.” Each of these words captures a different quality of this Yishuv. Elazar began as a cooperative Moshav established by North American Olim in 1975. The community remained quite small until its decision to become a Yishuv in the late 1980s. Since that time, it has grown from approximately 25 families to its current size of over 350 families. The close-knit character of the Yishuv is due, in large part, to the fact that it was established by Olim who came to the country with no family of their own. The residents truly became family to one another, and the feeling continues to this day. Members of the original Moshav, as well as more recent additions (both Anglo and Israeli), have made it their business to help new residents, especially new Olim, acclimate and feel comfortable.

Harvey and Vivien Well
[email protected]

Devora Rabinovitz
058-401-4089
[email protected]

Anglo Olim Coordinator – Gush Etzion Every day – morning hours

Alon Shvut was founded in 1970 with the goal of creating an intimate Torah community centered around Yeshivat Hesder Har Etzion. Many of the students and the teachers of the Yeshiva have made Alon Shvut their home.

Michael and Debra Berkowitz
[email protected]
[email protected]
Michael: 052-379-0026, Debra: 052-545-6023

Married, Orthodox, with older children

Gad Dishi
02-993-3868

Orthodox, school-aged children

Devora Rabinovitz
058-401-4089
[email protected]

Anglo Olim Coordinator – Gush Etzion Every day – morning hours

This community is nestled on the eastern side of Gush Etzion bordering on the Judean Desert, Judean mountains and the Herodion.

What is unique about this community is the natural interactions between the close-knit secular and religious communities, which in essence distinguishes Tekoa from towns.

While English speakers have settled in Tekoa for years, its popularity has picked up recently with the opening of the new road which bypasses Arab communities and allows you to arrive in the neighborhood of Har Choma, Jerusalem within 10 minutes.

Shoshana Porath
052-334-3392
[email protected]

Everyday

Anglo Olim Coordinator – Gush Etzion

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Disclaimer

All information provided in this online community guide is for educational and informational purposes only. Nefesh B’Nefesh does not endorse, recommend, or promote any specific community, location, or neighborhood.

The decision of where to live is a personal choice that should be made solely by each individual or family based on their own needs, preferences, and independent research.