Efrat was established on Passover Eve, May 10, 1983 and was declared a separate local council.
Its name was taken from the passage in Genesis, 38, 19:
"And Rachel died and was buried on the way to Efrata".
Efrat is located in Gush Etzion between Bethlehem and Hebron, 15 kilometres south of Jerusalem, about a 12-minute drive from Jerusalem and a 30- minute drive from Beit Shemesh.
When one stands on the Zayit Hilltop or the Dagan Hilltop, two of most northern neighborhoods, one can see the bible come to life – the nearby lights of Bethlehem intermingling with the flickering lights of Jerusalem on the horizon, a most breathtaking sight.
Efrat was established near the ruins of Gush Etzion, by Moshe Moshkowitz (Moshko) a resident of the settlement of "Masuot Yitzchak"(which was destroyed in the Israeli War of Independence) and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. Together they established a supportive and caring community, both tolerant and religious.
Today, the population of Efrat stands at 8,500 residents comprised of native-born Israelis, and immigrants from America, South Africa, England and France.
Efrat, the city of 8 hilltops, is in a state of rapid development and building.
Efrat has a dynamic community and is comprised of 1,650 families, 8,500 residents from a variety of cultures who lead an exemplary community way of life.
Efrat has a progressive school system – national religious educational institutions from kindergarten through high school, higher educational institutions such as advanced yeshivot and a preparatory army yeshiva.
Efrat enjoys a quality of life that is felt in every corner starting from the lovely gardens, sitting areas, and playgrounds and extending to the cultural social activities provided for its residents.
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