The Religious Affairs Ministry, with the help of the Housing and Interior Ministries, plans to build 30 new mikvaot (ritual baths) in Judea, Samaria and Gaza over the next two years. Religious Affairs Minister Asher Ochana (Shas), who announced the decision, also said that 43 other mikvaot had been renovated in Yesha in the past year. The Religious Affairs Ministry also plans to station 60 "mobile synagogues" around the country during the coming High Holidays. This will hopefully remedy the frequent problem in which demand for synagogue seats and services exceeds supply.
The town of Kiryat Sefer, in western Binyamin (Shomron), may soon turn into a full-fledged city. Interior Minister Eli Yeshai has established a committee to look into upgrading the hareidi town's status from local council. Yesha currently has three cities: Maaleh Adumim, Ariel, and Beitar Illit. Kiryat Sefer, also known as Modiin Illit, was founded less than nine years ago, and boasts 22,000 residents.
The town of Kiryat Sefer, in western Binyamin (Shomron), may soon turn into a full-fledged city. Interior Minister Eli Yeshai has established a committee to look into upgrading the hareidi town's status from local council. Yesha currently has three cities: Maaleh Adumim, Ariel, and Beitar Illit. Kiryat Sefer, also known as Modiin Illit, was founded less than nine years ago, and boasts 22,000 residents.