Metzad is a community of Talmudic scholars pioneering the Torah Renaissance.
Dedicated to the creation of a new vision for the future of the Jewish
People. Here is a Yishuv combining scholastic excellence with heartfelt
spirituality. A village whose trademark is smiling hospitality and a warm
welcome for all. Metzad harmonizes Jewish people from diverse backgrounds
and nationalities in a common striving to secure the physical and spiritual
frontiers of Israel for future generations.
May G-d lead you on the road you want to travel on....
What's on Metzad?
The first structures on Metzad were erected by the IDF's civil corps of
engineers. They were handed over for civilian use at the time of the
creation of Metzad in 1984. Initially, the road up to the Yishuv was
unpaved, water was brought by truck, and electricity was sporadically
provided by a generator.
The next phase of development involved the placement of sixty caravans to serve as homes, offices, security compound, award-winning Preschool facilities, Clinic, Youth Center, Library, Weaving and Art Studios, and Computer Center.
Construction of a new neighborhood of twenty-five permanent homes began the next phase of growth. This included the building of a Family Health Center, an industrial building housing both the Weaving Studio and a "Simcha" Hall for special events and an outdoor basketball court. The next phase of development includes a two story Preschool/Youth center, a Kindergarten Facility, a new Synagogue, and fifty more homes. Land has also been allocated for construction of an elementary school.
Metzad aspires to a vibrant new paradigm - a living environment for one of the most essential Jewish research and development projects in history.
Where is Metzad?
Located 30 kilometers south of Jerusalem in the Judean Hills, Metzad is a
member of the Gush Etzion Regional Council - a federation of 16 towns,
kibbutzim and yishuvim. Mentioned in the Book of Chronicles as an outpost of
King David's, Metzad brings new life to a barren, windswept hilltop that lay
desolate for three thousand years. Atop the highest ridge before the descent
to the Dead Sea, its strategic value continues to be evidenced by a nearby
mobile missile site. The clear, desert air provides breathtaking vistas from
the Jerusalem skyline to the Judean wilderness.
Who lives on Metzad?
Sixty young and growing families with more than three hundred and fifty
children. The area is zoned for housing up to four hundred families over the
next ten years. Mostly new immigrants from English speaking countries and
from France. Its members also originate from Holland, Tunisia, Russia,
Belgium and Brazil.
Many came to Israel in the 70's and 80's as college graduates and young professionals seeking to make aliya and deepen their connection to Judaism.
Most of the residents work in Jewish Education - from teaching and original research, to writing and illustrating computer sites. Authors here have published books ranging from children's stories to translations of Rabbi Luzzato's books on logic - and from books on handwriting analysis to works in Hebrew of Talmudic novellae. Others combine work in fields as diverse as law, medicine, and psychology with their own continuing Torah education. Today we are proud to say that some of our members have become grandparents...and that their children and grandchildren have joined them to live on Metzad!
Your Opportunity to Change History
The vitality of the Israeli pioneer can be found on Yishuv Metzad. Living on
one of the most isolated outposts in Israel, Metzad's young families hold a
crucial position on today's frontier. And that is only the beginning of the
challenge...