Motza Illit

Settlement in the area goes back to ancient times, with thousands of year old terraces and archeological remains in the area. In 1929, old Motza was attacked by its Arab neighbors and many residents were murdered. Four years later (in 1933), a new moshav, Motza Ilit, was established at a higher location on the same slope.[2]

In January 1934, a house-warming party was held by twenty Jewish families who had built homes in Motza Illit with the aid of the Jewish National Council ("Va'ad Leumi") and emergency funds.[3]

Motza Illit overlooks the Judean mountains, offering a view of the churches and monasteries of Ein Karem, the Beit Zayit water reservoir and the Jerusalem Forest.

• 
  Seven Sisters Road, 1948
• 
  Seven Sisters Road to Motza Illit, 2010

The community village includes people from a range of age groups, and in recent years young families have joined Motza Illit, and its residents create a dynamic community, that jointly celebrates many festivals, holidays and a variety of social events.

Motza Illit has three secular kindergartens. The elementary school children study at the Ein Harim Elementary School, which is near the Beit Zayit water reservoir. For secondary school Motza Illit's children study at a range of local secondary schools (Ein Karem Secondary School) and in Jerusalem (University Secondary School, Boyer, Science and Arts Secondary School, Academy for Music and Dance and more).

• People from Motza Illit