Mateh Yehuda Regional Council

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Mateh Yehuda (Hebrew: מטה יהודה‎) is a regional council in the Judean Mountains in Israel.

The name of the regional council stems from the fact that its territory was part of the land allotted to the Tribe of Judah, according to the Bible.

[edit] Places and communities

The regional council administers moshavim, kibbutzim, Arab villages and other rural settlements that lie to the north and south of Jerusalem - Tel-Aviv highway, from Jerusalem to Latrun and up to area of Beit Shemesh (Ha'ela Valley) in the South.

The settlements vary greatly in their character. There are religious, secular and mixed Jewish communities, two Arab communities, and the only mixed Arab-Jewish village in Israel - Neve Shalom (Hebrew: נווה שלום‎, Arabic: واحة السلام‎ Wāĥat as-Salām, meaning Oasis of Peace). Many of the Jewish communities in the Mateh Yehuda district were established by immigrants from India, Yemen, Iraq, Iran and countries in Eastern Europe.

[edit] List of villages

[edit] Tourism

The main tourist activities in the area are mountain hiking and biking. Other attractions include the Avshalom stalactites cave, natural water springs, historical synagogues and goat cheese farms.

[edit] Partnerships

The regional council has sister city-like partnerships with these municipalities:

• - Vantaa, Finland
• - Würzburg district, Bavaria, Germany

[edit] External links

• Mateh Yehuda Regional Council - Official Hebrew website

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Coordinates: 31°45′N 34°53′E / 31.75, 34.883