Type of Community: City

Religious Percent: 70

English Speaking Percent: 15

Since 1991 when the first English-speaking residents moved to the Sheinfeld neighborhood in Beit Shemesh, there has been an exponential growth of English speakers to Beit Shemesh. The English speaking population has grown to be a significant presence on the Beit Shemesh scene in areas such as commerce, politics, and volunteerism. Yet the beauty of being an Oleh resident of Beit Shemesh is that you join Olim from Russia, Ethiopia, France and other European countries to become part of a vibrant mosaic of the “Ingathering of the Exiles.”

Beit Shemesh, which was founded in the 1950s by immigrants from North Africa, continues to have a distinct and rich Sephardi tradition, even as it welcomes and honors the diversity of cultures which it has enthusiastically watched settle in its growing and expanding neighborhoods.

Beit Shemesh is continually building and expanding its neighborhoods, as well the services it offers new Olim.

Local Employment
The growth in the population of Beit Shemesh has also allowed for growth in local employment. In recent years, several hi-tech businesses have opened up in (or relocated to) Beit Shemesh. In addition, the nearby Har Tuv industrial park is home to many expanding businesses. However, most residents work in either the Jerusalem or Tel Aviv areas. Beit Shemesh is a 35 minute drive to Jerusalem; 45 minute drive to Tel Aviv, or 25 minute commute via train.

Education / Youth
Beit Shemesh has Ganim of every variety. Regardless of your religous orientation or educational needs, you will find the community equipped with a pre school facility to meet your requirements.

Beit Shemesh has a variety of elementary school options. The most popular among English-speaking Olim are Orot Banim, Orot Banot, and Uziel. Ahavat Yisrael, (the Rappaport School), located in Ramat Beit Shemesh is also popular.

Most English-speaking children in Beit Shemesh are involved either in the Bnei Akiva or Ezra youth movements. Ezra separates boys and girls, and is located both in Nofei Aviv and Sheinfeld. Bnei Akiva, whose chapter includes boys and girls together, is located only in Sheinfeld.

Transportation
A major advantage to living in Beit Shemesh is the city’s proximity and easy accessibility to centers of employment.

Beit Shemesh is a 35 minute drive from Jerusalem and a 45 minute drive from Tel Aviv. However, the preferred method of transportation to Tel Aviv is currently via train. The train station in Beit Shemesh allows for a comfortable 25 minute commute to Tel Aviv. There are even daily Shacharit and Arvit Minyanim on the trains. The train also goes to Jerusalem, but the travel time to Jerusalem is similar to the time it takes in a car.

Reliable and regular bus service is available to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other major areas of the country. In addition, there are van services and ride-sharing programs.

Intra-city cabs have set fees for traveling within the Beit Shemesh area. Nearly all Beit Shemesh residents own at least one car.

Intra-city buses run frequently, and many school children use them to get to and from school.

Olim Services
Beit Shemesh has offices of Misrad Hapnim (Ministry of the Interior)and Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Absorption) located in the center of town.

Both a summer and year round children’s Ulpan are offered. Adults study Hebrew in the Matnas (community center) in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

The Iriyah (municipality) has an English-speaking liaison who works with the community in assisting Olim with their absorption.

There is an active English-speaking Amit chapter, community library, Chesed organizations, Shiurim (Torah classes), and a biking/running club.

Amenities / Services
Matnasim (local community centers) sponsor theater, music and other cultural programs. The Meyerhoff Matnas is known throughout the English-speaking community for its excellent English-language library.

Beit Shemesh has a well-developed social services network. The list of social service organizations takes up almost three pages in the Beit Shemesh phone book (half of which, incidentally, is written in English). There are also pages of Gemachim services (free assistance of varying types)offered for the area residents.

There is a local Terem emergency medical center and a well organized Hatzala volunteer emergency care team.

There are several small shopping centers and one larger strip mall near the entrance to the city.

Community and Religious Life
The municipality sponsors several community-wide cultural programs throughout the year, as well as smaller programs offered by the Matnasim (community centers) in each neighborhood.

Many local groups also sponsor programs throughout the year, and there are several sports events that attract attention from communities around the region.

Beit Shemesh has synagogues for every stripe and flavor. The following are particulary popular amongst the English-speaking crowd: Beit Midrash Torani Leumi (Scheinfeld neighborhood), Ohel Yona Menachem (Scheinfeld), Netzach Menashe (Scheinfeld), Etz Chaim (Givat Savion), Feigenson (Nofei Aviv) and Rabbi Rosner’s congregation (Orot boy’s school). Minyanim are available for Ashkenazim, Sefaradim, Yemenites, Chabadnikim and virtually all others.

Beit Shemesh is also an active Torah learning community. There are several Yeshivot (of varying orientations), Kollels, and regular classes for men and women. Numerous Mikvaot serve the community, including one that was designed especially to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Real Estate
An average three bedroom apartment rents for between $700-850 per month. A four bedroom apartment on average will cost $800-950 a month.

Semi-detached homes and cottages are also available for rent and start at $1,000 per month. It is not difficult to find apartments for sale in the English-speaking neighborhoods. One should expect to pay around $230,000 for a three bedroom and $280,000 for a four bedroom. Semi-detached homes for sale would likely cost $350,000 or higher.

Neighborhoods
There are four distinct Anglo neighborhoods that are a 10-15 minute walking distance one from the other: Sheinfeld, Nofei Aviv, Givat Savyon and the newer Nofei HaShemesh. The Scheinfeld neighborhood is composed of apartments, townhouses and semi-attached houses. Nofei Aviv and Nofei Hashemesh are composed of semi-attached houses. There are two apartment buildings (4 and 5 room apartments) in the neighboring Ramat Neria. Givat Savion is made up of semi-attached houses and villas.There is a wider variety of housing styles and price ranges than in the other neighborhoods. Recently, young couples have been moving into the apartment buildings adjacent to Scheinfeld and Givat Savion.
There is also the charedi Nachala U’Menucha neighborhood.

Ramat Beit Shemesh is a 7 minute drive away.

Source: Nefesh B’Nefesh

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