Life on the Yishuv!

 Merchav Am

Merchav Am began about 25 years ago with just a few caravans (like trailers). A couple of residents today were actually part of those first caravans. Since the surrounding mo’atza is mostly chiloni (secular), establishing a religious yishuv here was considered a big deal. Nearby well-known communities include Sde Boker (David Ben-Gurion!), Ashalim, and Revivim (Golda Meir!).

As more families arrived, the state built additional caravans, and eventually the first neighborhood was designated for housing. Families purchased migrashim (plots of land) and began building. While a few plots in that first neighborhood of roughly 30–40 migrashim are still empty, most are now developed, forming the core of the original neighborhood.

With the caravans vacated, new families moved in, and although some continued building in the first neighborhood, a second neighborhood opened about 10–15 years ago. Construction there helped the yishuv expand even more. Today, when you drive into Merchav Am, that second neighborhood is the first area you see.

About five years ago, a project of roughly 20 houses began on the remaining migrashim of that second neighborhood—this is where our homes will be.

This steady pattern of caravans → migrashim → construction is how Merchav Am has grown to around 110 families, with roughly 40 caravans and 60 houses, and more being built all the time.

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What’s Here

Makolet (Store) - The makolet has just about everything you need. Prices are reasonable, and you’re supporting someone local. You can even make special requests! When I saw there were no IPAs, I explained what they were and asked the owner to get some, and he did.

Chan (Guest Cabins): The chan sits toward the top of the yishuv. It’s a small hotel with multiple cabins, a chadar ochel, beit knesset, café called Kafeh Zulato, space for davening, and a kids’ swimming pool. It’s been open for over 15 years and is packed every Shabbat with groups, or families. You see all kinds of visitors there, which gives Merchav Am a constant flow of guests and tourists. 

Beit Knesset: The central beit knesset is the largest one, though it’s already too small. There’s also a beit knesset Sefaradi.

Yeshivat Hesder: There is also a Yeshivat Hesder called Ahavat Olam, now in its second year with around 30 students.

Gan and Maon: The gan and maon are right in the yishuv the gan where Ezra and Moriya go, and the maon where Noga is. Everyone in Merchav Am sends to these Gan, which go through Kindergarten, and then kids go to schools out of the Yishuv. 

Mivneh Kehilati (Community Building): The mivneh kehilati houses the yishuv offices, mailboxes, gymboree, library, and multipurpose rooms. There’s also an event hall under construction that will be used for simchas and community events.

Yad Shniya (Secondhand Store): Doubling as a place for women's shiurim, Merchav Am has its own secondhand store. Bring your stuff, and buy what you want for a few Shkalim!

Nature: Merchav Am has many wonderful ways to enjoy its beauty. There are lookouts, walking paths etc.

Playgrounds and Outdoors: There are three playgrounds throughout the Yishuv.

Bus Stop and Transportation: At the bottom of the yishuv are the bus stops. Certainly public buses come through throughout the day. From the Yishuv you can get to Dimona, Mitzpeh, Yerucham, or Beer Sheva. It's also where all the kids in the Yishuv go to get their buses to and from school.

Life in Merchav Am

As you may be starting to feel, life here is quiet, calm, and simple. It's got all the things you need in ac ommunity, and if you look up you are surrounded by the empty hills of the Negev. The Yishuv is full of kids running around, people on their bikes etc.

The center of the Yishuv has the Shul and Makolet! The caravan area feels like a holy Negev trailer park people have built onto them over the years, adding decks, rooms, and extra space. The houses section feels more like a classic yishuv: less green, more dust, kids riding bikes, running between homes, the snif Bnei Akiva, and the soccer field are down below.

Thanks for joining our tour of this quaint Yishuv of Merchav Am! You're invited anytime :) If you'd like this blog sent to you... put your # or email here.