Mitzpe Yericho
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Mitzpe Yericho (Hebrew: מצפה יריחו, lit. Jericho overlook) is a communal settlement and Israeli Settlement in the Judean desert, administered by the Matte Binyamin Regional Council.
Located 20 km east of Jerusalem and 10 km east of Ma'ale Adummim along Highway 1, the village lies on one of the last cliffs marking the edge of the Judean highlands, and overlooks the ancient city of Jericho, the Jordan Rift Valley, and the Dead Sea, whence its name is derived. The climate is dry, with temperatures a few degrees warmer than Jerusalem Temperatures all year round.[1]
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[edit] History
Originally founded in October 1977 during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, it was supposed to be located on government lands adjacent to Jericho. Due to the objection of then Defense Minister Ezer Weizman, they were moved to Mishor Adumim. Agriculture Minister Ariel Sharon suggested a few days later that they relocate to a barren hilltop overlooking Jericho, the current location.
The original settlers to the area where a mixed group of both religiously observant and non-observant Jews. They later split up into two groups, and the non-observant members established a new settlement, Vered Yericho, located in the Jordan Valley below Mitzpe Yericho and closer to Jericho.
In 1982 the town accepted then 27 year old Yehuda Kroizer[2] as community Rabbi. Rabbi Kroizer gives regular classes, both in the town as well as in the Yeshivat HaRaayon HaYehudi, the former yeshiva of Rabbi Meir Kahane.
Over 300 families reside in Mitzpe Yericho as of 2005.
[edit] Economy
The village is home to several businesses including an electronics facility, and also serves tourism in the nearby Wadi Kelt park and its Byzantine-era Saint George Monastery and Hasmonean-era Kypros fortress.[3]
- ^ Official website of Mitzpe Jericho
- ^ mitzpe.yericho - Rabbi Yehuda Kroizer
- ^ St George's Monastery, Israel PlanetWare.com
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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