A guide to a place that is almost Heaven on Earth
I never thought that a single page on Squidoo could have such and affect. Since I put it up a few months ago it has become one of the top rated pages on Google for the search term 'Tekoa Israel' . This has lead many people to contact me looking for more information and it has been my pleasure to meet them and share with them what I know.
View of Tekoa from atop Herodion.
What is Tekoa?
In 1978 a small group of Jewish pioneers came back to the site of the ancient Tekoa to found a new Jewish village. Soon Tekoa was incorporated as a mixed religious and secular Yishuv (village).
This is very rare in Israel because most villages are founded to cater to a specific type of people. Generally people move to a Yishuv because they want to live a quiet life with like minded people. In Tekoa we believe that all Jews are one family and that we should be able to live together even if we don't agree on everything.
Today there are over 350 families here. Some are native Israelis. Others are immigrants from America, Russia, France, England etc. Some families are very religious, even Hasidic. Others are completely secular. We all have in common that we believe strongly in the Jewish people and the Jewish land.
Religious and secular boys in Tekoa Preschool.
What's Great About Tekoa
My top 10 favorite things.
- It's a warm friendly place to live.
- Your kids can go to their friends house by themselves.
- The view is breathtaking.
- The cleanest tap water in Israel from our own deep source. It taste better than bottled water!
- Most amazing public school in Israel. Its called Achdut Yisrael (Jewish Unity). There are kids with no kippah in the same class with kids with long peyos and somehow it works beautifully!
- Clean, dry desert air. No humidity.
- People who are not preoccupied with the rat-race. Everyone here is very unique. There are many artist, writers, and musicians.
- Even though you have a choice of synagogues, people don't go only to theirs. Most people will stop in to pray at the other Synagogues also.
- You can really be yourself in Tekoa. Tekoa was founded in order to allow all different kinds of Jews live together and get along and it has worked for 30 years.
- While I sit in my office writing this I can see the Herodion mountain out the window in front of me and all the way to the Dead Sea out the window to my right!
View of Herodion (and my neighbors grape vines) from my office
What's in Tekoa
For a small Yishuv, Tekoa has a lot going on.
- 2 Makolets (general stores) offering all of your day to day needs.
- A small Pizza place that is opened for take out on most evenings. (It's really cool, they operate out of this little hut and they make the best Pizza around)
- A very beautiful public swimming pool. It is half-olympic sized and nicely landscaped. Because some people in Tekoa are religious and others not, they have different hours for mens, womens, and mixed swimming.
- Daycare Center
- Preschool
- An amazing elementary school called Achdut Yisrael (Jewish Unity). When we were trying to decide if we should send our kids, we asked teenagers who had gone there what they think of it. They all said that the best years of their life were at Achdut Yisrael.
- Several synagogues. Ashkenazi, Sefaradi, Chabad and Breslov.
- Many, many beautiful parks.
- A full Tennis court and a full basketball court.
- An amphitheater, community center and library.
- All kinds of youth clubs and classes for all ages. Among them are Karate, art, dance, arobics etc. etc.
- Horse ranch with riding lessons.
- A Yeshiva run by the world famous Rabbi Adin Steinsalz.
- Regular bus service to Jerusalem.
- The Beit Bad is both an industrial olive press and cafe. The olive press is renewing the ancient tradition of olive oil production in this region. The cafe often features live music in the evenings.
- The Tekoa Mushroom farm produces some of the best tasting mushrooms in the world. (The Japanese come here to learn how to grow Shiitake mushrooms)
Tekoa Swimming Pool
Leave me a message...
If you have questions or comments about Tekoa, Israel, leave them here.
Aaron_Shaffier wrote...
in reply to Tekoa Lynn Johnson Thanks for sharing your story. If you are ever in Israel, stop by for a visit and look us up!
Posted August 23, 2009
Tekoa Lynn Johnson wrote
Aaron, I really like and appreciate your site. My given name is "Tekoa" and my younger brother's middle name is "Aaron". Oddly, we are not Jewish... Southern Baptist from Western Kentucky, USA. My grandfather was a "backwoods" bible thumping minister and both sides of my family are Southern Baptist. "Tekoa" was always a tough name growing up. I could just reply that my parents were kinda "early Hippies" and liked "The Wilderness of Tekoa" as a biblical name. I would say that its just a place in the maps in the back of the Bible ..... I was wrong ! Thanks ......
Posted August 22, 2009
Armando orrego wrote
Hi, i am from Colombia South America, i´m reading your comentaries of Tekoa, sounds great. We are thiking spend vacation in Tekoa maybe in one or two years. Do you have any information over hotels options. My friends and me are people that love the Israel Culture and in our travel will be great to be in Tekoa some days.
Regards,
Armando
Posted August 04, 2009
Sahnei wrote
in reply to Aaron_Shaffier Aaron I am an African American christian and am studying the book of Amos. I have lived in Europe before and I love living abroad. I think this website is fascinating. What do you think Tekoans would think of an African American christian family living there esp. since it's not a completely religious town. Do you think Tekoa is that contemporary yet? I noticed you say "...if you are jewish..."
Posted July 24, 2009
Netanel Moshel wrote
Hey, Aaron, I like this article, you write well!! and nice design.
Posted July 22, 2009
Steve norman wrote
Hi modern tekoans ,
I am interested in Tekoa after studing the book of Amos in Hebrew scriptures. Among other things I am a student at Oxford University here in England. One thing some Christian writers say is that the strategic location of tekoa as a fortified settlement may have given the old prophet his internationalist outlook. Any comments ? Can you see the lands outside ancient Judah from modern Tekoa? Would it have been used as an observaton point in the past ?
Secondly for today- Do you have much contact with Arabs and even non-arab christians in your locality? What is the attitude in the Yishuv to the non Jewish population of Israel? I am Interested to know wether modern tekoans have an internationalist outlook too.
Thanks for your comments
Steve Norman
sgnorman@doctors.net.uk
Posted July 08, 2009
gary berlind wrote
Hi again Aaron:
It's been a couple of weeks since i responded to your questions about my original posting, and I haven't yet heard back from you. Are you making any progress? I really would like to connect with one or more of your Tekoa musicians. Please get back to me if you can; i seriously need the connection as soon as possible.
Thanks,
Gary Berlind
gberlind@berlindpr.com
[in reply to Aaron_Shaffier]
Posted June 17, 2009
michelle wrote
Shalom all. We've recently begun construction of our house in Tekoa --- It's rather exciting. Meanwhile, we're interested in renting a house (large caravan?) in Tekoa until our house is ready (Jan-Feb?-- G-d willing). We are a family of 8 so we'd probably need a minimum of 4 bedrooms- - (depending upon square meters).
I know this seems far fetched to find such a short term rental in a smallish yishuv but (for those who are unaware) in the holy land, if you put your wish out there and it's meant to be-- IT HAPPENS!
Thanks in advance for your help.
michelle
peacewoman9@yahoo.com
Posted June 04, 2009
Aaron_Shaffier wrote...
in reply to yaelle I would suggest that you come check Tekoa out for yourself. Tekoa is a very unique place. People who live here, tend to think out of the box. All of the neighborhoods here are completely integrated, with secular and religious people (and people who refuse to be defined as either) living together.
There are quite a few people who send their children to schools in Efrat, so I think something could probably be worked out, although I am not the one to ask about details. I am also not the one to ask about rental rates. I do know though that there is an acute lack of rentals here right now. I would suggest you call Tekoa Realty. I don't have the number on me, but it is listed in the Gush directory.
Email me at shaffier@gmail.com with your phone number and I will be happy to call you and speak with you more about Tekoa.
Posted June 02, 2009
yaelle wrote
hi we are thinking of relocating from Efrat to tekoa...we would still want to send our children to Aseh chayil in efrat is this possible..what are the rental amounts for a 4-5 bedroom house. also we are dati leumi is there one neighborhood over the others that we should be looking at? if we wanted to come for shabbat who can we be in touch with. thanks
Posted June 02, 2009
In short...If you are Jewish, and you are a nice person, Tekoa is for you.
So...What are you waiting for?!
Get on a flight and come visit. I'll be happy to show you around.
Good for free 30 minute walking tour.
Come to Tekoa and look me up and I'll be happy to give you a walking tour around the Yishuv. No charge.
by Aaron_Shaffier
Explore related pages
Volunteer Abroad Uganda Africa Volunteering Opportunities Orphanages HIV/AIDS Programs www.abroaderview.org- Volunteer Abroad in Uganda Volunteering Opportunities Uganda, the land of Lake V...
Wheelock - Wonder of the World- Details of the important people and places named after the original Wheelock. Th...
Hawthorne Village
Samson, A Warrior of Israel- Samson was one of the strongest men who ever lived. He was used by God to destro...
How to Make an Israeli Salad- The Israeli salad is simple, healthy, and tasty. This type of raw salad is found...
Third Temple in Jerusalem plans to be rebuilt.- They could start building tomorrow. There are 12 groups that are in preparation....
