The community of Eli, just north of Shilo and about 35 kilometers north of Jerusalem, is celebrating its 18th birthday today. A gala ceremony will be held there this evening, the culmination of special activities throughout the day. Close to 500 families live in Eli, which is spread out over close to ten hilltops. The town features the Bnei David pre-military yeshiva academy, as well as several Torah study programs for adults (kollels), some of which are combined with agricultural and college studies.