Whose lands are these anyway? Mateh Yehuda Regional Council’s territory was part of the land allotted to the Tribe of Judah. This is according to the Bible. Mateh Yehuda Regional Council is a regional council. It sits in the Jerusalem District of Israel.
In 2024, Mateh Yehuda Regional Council was home to 51125 people. The Mateh Yehuda Regional Council administers various settlements. These include moshavim and kibbutzim. Arab villages are also under its administration. Other rural settlements also fall within its boundaries. These settlements lie north and south of the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. They stretch from Jerusalem to Latrun. The area extends up to Beit Shemesh in the south.
These communities within Mateh Yehuda Regional Council are diverse. You’ll find religious communities here. Secular and mixed Jewish communities also exist. There are two Arab communities. Neve Shalom is the only mixed Arab-Jewish village in Israel. Many Jewish communities in the Mateh Yehuda district have roots elsewhere. Immigrants came from India and Yemen. Others arrived from Iraq and Iran. Some came from Eastern European countries.
Visitors can enjoy several tourist activities in the Mateh Yehuda area. Mountain hiking is popular. Biking trails also attract many. The Israel National Trail runs through here. Historical sights dot the landscape. Natural attractions also exist. The Avshalom stalactites cave is a must-see. Natural water springs offer refreshing stops.
Mateh Yehuda boasts a thriving local industry. You will find goat cheese farms here. Wine lovers rejoice. There are over 30 wineries. Katlav and Nevo have even won awards. Beer enthusiasts are not left out. Eleven breweries operate within Mateh Yehuda. Dozens of artists also call this region home.
Mateh Yehuda Regional Council fosters international connections. It has partnerships with several municipalities. Vantaa is one such partner. It is located in Finland. Würzburg district in Bavaria, Germany, is another partner. Nümbrecht in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, also shares ties. Dorohoi in Romania completes the list.
The Mateh Yehuda Regional Council also partners with Beit Shemesh. They are linked to South Africa and Washington D.C. This is through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership 2gether program. The Mateh Yehuda Regional Council continues to bridge communities. It connects people both locally and globally. It is a region of historical significance. It is a place of diverse cultures and natural beauty.