Efrat has long been a popular destination for English-speaking Olim. It offers excellent schools, close proximity to Jerusalem, a supportive community, and a wide range of services. Although located in Gush Etzion (the Etzion bloc), Efrat is a separate municipality, with its own local government, Chief Rabbi (HaRav Shlomo Riskin), and municipal services for its residents. Efrat combines the services available in a city with the intimacy of a small community. It is divided into seven neighborhoods, each named for one of the seven species indigenous to the Land of Israel: Gefen, Te’ena, Rimon, Dekel, Dagan, Tamar, and Zayit. The official name is sometimes listed as Efrata.

At Quick Glance

Location

 Efrat – Google Maps

Size

Population: 10 K; Large English-speaking population; Thousands of NBN Olim.

Religious Diversity

Relatively homogenous Oleh community of Modern Orthodox and Orthodox.

Ulpan

Efrat does not have a local Misrad Haklita-run Ulpan. Please check with the Efrat Municipal Klita representative regarding current options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Community

All Kupot Cholim (healthcare service providers) are represented.

There are no hospitals in Efrat.

Hospitals in Jerusalem include Hadassah Medical Center (Ein Karem, Hadassah Mt. Scopus) Shaare Zedek Medical Center, and Herzog Medical Center.

Urgent Care Centers: Machar (Merkaz Refu’ie Cherum)

Mamlachti Schools (Public Secular): None

Mamlachti Dati Schools (Religious Zionist)

Chareidi Schools (Mamach and Others): None

Background Information
Finding Schools for Your Children: An Introduction
Oleh’s Guide to Navigating the Israeli School System

Job Board (Gush Etzion Area)

Job Board (Jerusalem Area)

Efrat is connected by bus to Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit, Be’er Sheva and other Yishuvim in Gush Etzion.  See routes and travel times to major cities below!

Public transportation routes to:
 Tel Aviv
Haifa
Be’er Sheva
Jerusalem

Travel time by car to:
Tel Aviv
Haifa
Be’er Sheva
Jerusalem

Housing: For more information about rentals in this community, please check out Madlan and Yad2.  Because there are no comparable real estate sites in English, we created English guides to help you navigate these sites, with an explanation of their features and functionality.

VIEW OUR MADLAN GUIDE

VIEW OUR YAD2 GUIDE

Rentals:                                           

One Bedroom
Two Bedroom
Three Bedroom

Purchase:
One Bedroom
Two Bedroom
Three Bedroom

Zayit, Tamar, Dagan, Dekel, Rimon, Gefen, Te’ena

Social

* Last updated on January 22, 2026 *

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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.