Moshav Matityahu - Community, Chesed, Management

Moshav Matityahu

Moshav Matityahu, located approximately midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv (near Modiin), is a community of religious families living in single-family homes. Removed from the hustle-bustle of city life, Matityahu enjoys a quiet and relaxed rustic environment. Moshav Matityahu was initially founded as a Moshav Shitufi (cooperative agricultural settlement) in 1981 by a Garin (settlers group) of English speaking Olim from the U.S. and elsewhere.

Moshav Matityahu is still officially a Moshav Shitufi, although there are no longer any readily apparent vestiges of the kibbutz-like structure that once was, e.g., members of the Moshav are no longer employed by the Moshav itself and are free to be employed independently. The Moshav's primary business income is derived from vineyards (which sell grapes to Israeli wine makers) and agricultural fields operated by independent contractors, as well as commercial properties rented to dozens of independent businesses in a commercial park.

Given the small size of this close-knit community, new candidate families are considered carefully before being accepted. One who understands the importance of Torah observance and tight-knit community on Matityahu will appreciate the benefits such an approach provides.

The Community

Moshav Matityahu presently consists of approximately 65 families and is now seeking to accelerate its growth. More then ten families have joined Matityahu in the past couple of years, almost all of them young families with children. In the next ten years, Matityahu plans to add another 250 carefully selected families.
Of the current resident families, approximately two-thirds speak English at home (the others are primarily Hebrew-speaking). There is a wide range of ages – from families with parents in their twenties to great-grandparents. About ten of the families consist of parents who themselves grew up on Matityahu!
All residents are Shomer-Mitzvos and high religious standards are demanded (e.g., TVs and videos are not permitted, all homes are required to follow the Kashrus standards set by Rav Leff, women must dress with complete adherence to the Tznius standards set by Rav Leff). A significant number of men learn full time in Kollel.
Many of the residents consider themselves "Charedi" (using Israeli terminology) or "Yeshivish" (more American terminology), but many other residents would not apply such labels to themselves. As a whole, one could describe Matityahu as making Torah learning and observance absolutely central to daily life, with a solid leaning more towards the typical Charedi way of life than to the typical Modern Orthodox / Dati Leumi way of life. The overall Hashkafa is fully Torah-observant while differing from mainstream Israeli Charedi communities in a few key ways. Examples of these differences include wholeheartedly accepting men who work in full-time jobs, allowing those who wish to acknowledge Yom Ha'atzmaut to do so (we do not say Hallel, but we do have other activities for those who wish to take part), and not demanding that men dress only in white shirts, jackets, and hats (although many do).
A centrally important aspect of Matityahu is that it is a community with one Rav and one Shul. It is required that every family accepts Rav Leff’s Halachic rulings for all matters that may impact on others, and respects the "united community" aspect of life here.

The Rav

Moshav Matityahu is blessed with a true Mara D'asra, Rav Zev Leff, shlita. Rav Leff has been the single Halachic and Hashkafic leader of the community for over 25 years. He also serves as Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Matisyahu and as Rosh Kollel of the Moshav's kollel.
As in European communities of generations past, the Rav sets the spiritual tone of the community, provides leadership in Halachic and communal areas, and delivers Shiurim to Moshav members and others seven days a week. Rav Leff is one of Israel's most popular English-speaking Torah educators, and often travels to speak at schools, yeshivos, seminaries, community centers, and events throughout Israel and abroad. Rav Leff is particularly well known for his morning-long Tisha B'Av Kinnos shiur, which attracts hundreds of English-speaking visitors to Matityahu each year.
Rav Leff received his Semicha ordination from the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland Ohio, where he studied under Rav Mordechai Gifter, zt"l. From 1974 to 1983, Rav Leff served as rabbi of Young Israel of North Miami Beach, where he built a thriving young Torah community. In August 1983/Elul 5743, Rav Leff assumed the position of Rav of Moshav Matityahu.
Read more: Detailed Biography of Rav Leff

Chesed

Chesed is a big part of life on Matityahu. We are a community in every sense of the word, providing moral and practical support to each another. When a parent is unable to function at full capacity due to birth, injury, a trip overseas, etc., the community immediately rallies to arrange daily meals, childcare assistance and the like.
The community is particularly supportive of families who have made Aliya from western countries, as most of us have done so as well!
There are numerous Gemachs operated by Moshav members. A sample of the Gemachs operated on the Moshav by individual residents/families:

Clothing Gemach (inexpensive clothing, new and used, for all ages)
Torah tape library
English-language Jewish book library (over 2,000 books available)
Tablecloth Gemach
Maternity clothing
Financial loan gemach (small loans for getting through tight times)
Hachnasas Kallah fund
In addition, there are hundreds of Gemachs operated in nearby Kiryat Sefer.
The above is by no means all we do for one another. There is no limit to the kinds of support and assistance Matityahu families provide one another. Whatever the need, whatever the situation, we strive to make sure no one is left to cope with a difficult situation alone.

Management

Moshav Matityahu is managed by a Vaad Hanhala (Management Committee), composed of four elected Moshav members who serve for two years. Day-to-day administration and fiscal management is carried out by the Mazkir who is a full-time professional employed by the Moshav and who reports to the Vaad Hanhala.
In addition, a number of other Vaadot function on the Moshav, all of which are comprised of Moshav members:

Vaad Bikoret – The Audit Committee monitors Vaad Hanhala actions and decisions in the interest of transparency.
Vaad Bitachon – The Security and Safety Committee coordinates security and safety policy, Shmira (guard duty services), the Kita Konenut, internal communication channels in the event of an incident, and so forth. Members of this committee receive training from the IDF.
Vaad Chinuch – The Education Committee works to monitor, improve, and assist with schooling/educational issues for Moshav children. This committee also organizes various youth activities.
Vaad Daat – The Religious Affairs Committee manages all aspects of the Beis Knesses, organizes the Moshav's Shiurim and religious events, maintains Rav Leff's list of acceptable Hechsherim, etc.
Vaad Klita – The Absorption Committee promotes the Moshav to new candidate families, manages contact with candidates during the Klita process, and aids new families prior to and during relocation to the Moshav.
Vaad Tarbut – The Social/Cultural Committee organizes community events, entertainment and activities for young and old.