Sartaba

Yafit is a moshav (collective community) located in the Jordan Valley. Moshav Yafit is off the main road and at the foot of an ancient hilltop fortress constructed by the Hasmoneans called Alexandrium (also known as Sartaba). It was built in the 1980s by a group of French immigrants that had been attracted to the beautiful desert area. The name “Yafit” means beautiful, and was chosen because of the beautiful desert. But the name was also chosen to honor and remember Yossi Yafa, an IDF commander. In 1992, Moshav Yafit absorbed many Russian immigrants. Then during the 1990s, Yafit had become one of the largest communities in the Jordan Valley. It is a special community of just under 200 residents, that are a mix of national orthodox and secular Jews. Just outside the moshav, you can get to The Jordan Valley Shopping Center, where there are many amenities including a supermarket, restaurants, and cafes. It was also housed an active cultural and educational center. Moshav Yafit belongs to the Jordan Valley Regional Council and is in the location allocated to the tribe of Menashe.