Places to Live

Monthly Focus: Matityahu

Population: 60 families
Future Population: 300 families
Percentage of English-speakers: 80%
Percentage of religious: 100%

Health services: all in neighboring Kiryat Sefer

Religious Services: 1 synagogue, 1 Mikveh

Rav: Rabbi Leff

Website: www.matityahu.org

Contact: Meira Hazen (08-914-4737), chazzan@zahav.net.il , klita@matityahu.org

Rav Leff, shilta, is well known throughout Israel and abroad, and we are privileged to have him as our mora díasra. The Moshav is unique in that many members are involved full time in learning, and many work full time. Both are accepted, and everyone acknowledges the importance of these different tracks. The Moshav consists primarily of English speaking olim, and the vast majority of the shiurim and communal activities take place in English. It is a quiet, rural setting, with all the conveniences of the modern day world close at hand.

Country living just a half hour away from both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Quiet, rural and intimate - that is part of the attraction of Moshav Matityahu. The essence though, is the fact that we are a Torah focused community, with an Anglo mentality that answers the needs of families looking for a more religious environment, without the typical Israeli Charedi restrictions that many olim find hard to live with. TV sets aren't allowed, yet working men are considered full fledged Torah Jews. Our community is a mostly Anglo, blend of working and learning individuals. We follow the guidelines of our Mora De'Asra, Rav Zev Leff, Shlita, and his spiritual leadership is what formulates the flavor of our moshav. Most shiurim on Matityahu are delivered in English.

When we were looking for a community to move to, it was important to us that we be centrally located, near enough to the main cities for work and social purposes. In our own community search, we found only two places that met our requirements, Ramat Bet Shemesh, and Moshav Matityahu. We tried Ramat Bet Shemesh, and it is a wonderful place, with really special people. But Matityahu offered something different, and we knew that this was for us. Moshav Matityahu is smaller, safer and has a close-knit community - these were things we were looking for in a community. Not to mention the fact that we could afford to build our own dream house on 3/4 dunam of land, for less money than some of the attached cottages we had looked at, in a more crowded environment in Ramat Bet Shemesh.

Moshav Matityahu has a gan and maon on the premises. Classes are small and the staff are fantastic. Elementary and high school choices are varied and most people send their children to Kiryat Sefer. Proximity to Kiryat Sefer makes our particular country lifestyle very easy, as shopping, health services and many other conveniences are found just minutes away.

For people looking to become part of a growing community, and who want to contribute to their community on many varying levels, Moshav Matityahu offers it all. We love it here and each day brings a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that we are in the right place.

Please visit Matityahu's website at www.Matityahu.org for lots more information.

Tracy Rosenstein
January 2005

Last updated: 31/Jan/2005

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