The First Agricultural Settlement in the New Era
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Motza was rediscovered in 1860, when the Yehuda and Yellin families, residents of the Old City of Jerusalem, jointly acquired a plot of land in order to initiate and develop agriculture outside the walls of the Old City. Vineyards and trees were planted while using the local spring and well.
The land was located on the main Jaffa-Jerusalem road and the family soon built a Khan (a way station) on top of remains of an old Roman village and a Crusader fortress they found as they were plowing the land. The Khan was converted at the end of the 19th century to a school and a synagogue that is still active and holds services, religious ceremonies and cultural events.
Motza is first mentioned in the Bible in Yehoshua 18:26 as a city in the Tribe of Benjamin’s territory. In the Talmud it is mentioned as the place where residents of Jerusalem grew their willow, one of the four species required for the Festival of Sukkot.

VISITORS
Visitors can enjoy various activities including:  
• Educational programs for all age groups at the Yellin House; house, synagogue and gardens.
• Religious ceremonies and cultural events at the synagogue.
• Hikes and outings in the Motza area. 

RECOGNITION
Motza played an important role in the renewal of the Jewish Yishuv in Eretz-Israel. It was recognized as such by Theodore Ze’ev Herzl who planted a tree there in 1898. Later, Berl Katzenelson, a leader of the Zionist movement recognized it to be the first place in the new era for Jews to settle and cultivate the land of Israel.

The preservation that has been taking place since 2006 is thanks to the generous contribution of the Yellin Family, by waiving their ownership rights in the house and land, the generous donation made by Mr. Leonard Kahn, through Jewish National Fund - USA, which facilitated the re-building the house and the donation of the Israeli and Grabelsky families.

The Yellin House was officially opened for visitors on May 19, 2009. Among the participants in the opening ceremony was MK Zevulun Orlev, Head of Education Committee of the Knesset.
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