Kosher and Jewish Life in Mitzpe Ramon

Mitzpe Ramon is a town in the Negev desert of southern Israel. The name Ramon comes from the Hebrew "Romai" meaning Romans. It is situated on the northern ridge at an elevation of 860 meters (1,800 feet) overlooking a sizable erosion cirque known as the Ramon Crater. In 2009, Mitzpe Ramon had a population of 4,789. It was founded in 1951 as a camp for the workers building the road to Eilat. Ramon Crater, known as a makhtesh, is 38 km long, 6 km wide and 450 meters deep. Mitzpe Ramon experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters. There are moderate to strong winds all year long, caused by its location above the crater, which make Mitzpe Ramon feel much colder than it really is. Growing interest in ecotourism, Jeep trekking (access to Nabatean ruins), mountain biking and hiking, and the upgrading of Route 40, have improved the economy. The Mitzpe Ramon Jazz Club hosts musical ensembles on the weekend. The zoological garden houses local desert animals, including snakes, lizards and mammals. In the eastern part of Mitspe Ramon there is a large sculpture park, and to the west is a one-of-a-kind alpaca farm and a desert archery center.