For over three thousand years, from the Biblical to the Talmudic to the Byzantine Christian eras, the city of Beit Shemesh has been recorded and described in a variety of developments.

Centrally located between the Judean hills and the coastal plains, and strategically situated on the road to Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh easily lends itself to a prominent place in history. Its green forests, lush nature reserves and carefully tended farmlands, together with a comfortable climate, have geared it towards prominence.

Its proximity to both Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, in one direction (a 25 minute drive), and to Tel Aviv, her largest city and financial center, in the other (35 minute drive), are additional contributing factors to its popularity. In the past decade, the modern Beit Shemesh has undergone unprecedented development and growth.

Population

Numbering today approximately 59,000 residents, Beit Shemesh is broadening its varied demographic population. Joining those originally from Romania, Iraq, Iran and Morocco, there are now also Sabra, Russian, Ethiopian and Anglo-Saxon immigrants. Twenty percent of Beit Shemesh residents are new immigrants who have arrived within the last six years.

The make-up of the Beit Shemesh community is not only varied, but also very young. Fifty percent of the city’s residents are under the age of twenty – one, while over seventy- five percent are under forty years of age.

Education

Education in Beit Shemesh is given very high priority, as it is seen as the key to success for the community as well as for the individual. Financial expenditures for educational needs are labeled as investments, not expenses.

This investment is expressed in the extensive formal educational network in the city, together with the varied informal educational activities that take place throughout the city.

Many of the recent immigrants are educated, and professionals in their fields. As they have become involved in the educational system via their children, or as teachers, their expectations and input have resulted in raising the levels of the schools.

There are a variety of kindergartens, elementary and high schools, which include
secular and religious streams, as well as Torani, and ultra -orthodox. They offer a number of different specialty tracks. Additional high school options are an Ulpana for girls and Yeshivot for boys. Integration for children with special educational needs is available, as are enrichment programs which are extensively developed.

A pedagogic center serving the educational staff offers teaching- aid materials,
courses and additional study opportunities.

Culture and Services

Cultural and youth groups overlap with education in providing a broad spectrum of activities for the city’s youth. In addition to the youth group activities of Bnei Akiva, Scouts and Ezra, the Municipality provides sporting facilities and instruction in basketball, judo, Kung Fu, karate and tennis, as well as other sports.

The Music Conservatory, in its yearly program of introducing, and substantially subsidizing lessons in different musical instruments, has proven very successful in teaching children, an important skill and appreciation of music.

As the largest city in the area, Beit Shemesh serves as a medical and cultural center for the many kibbutzim, moshavim and small towns in the area. This has resulted in a higher degree of professionalism, as well as a wider variety of services. Public facilities include municipal libraries in a number of languages, neighborhood cultural centers with science and art programs, concerts and plays, as well as synagogues and religious communal involvement.

These services, together with shopping centers and supermarkets, offer Beit Shemesh residents extensive consumer opportunities.

Employment

Due to its central location, Beit Shemesh can offer many employment opportunities. Easy accessibility to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, make working in these areas a viable option. Constant road development continues to improve traveling options to these cities, and others.
In Beit Shemesh itself there are three industrial areas, which include a variety of local industrial companies and manufacturers in metals, electricity, electronics and food production.

A professional retraining center of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, offers professional courses in a number of areas in the industrial section of the city. Additional work possibilities exist in nearby tourist sites, other industries and on the surrounding kibbutzim and moshavim.

Beit Shemesh boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. It also takes pride in the growing number of cottage industries that many local women have initiated. There are also a number of business opportunities and job openings in local education, as well as other technical and communal support systems.

Housing

As a result of the rapid population growth, the city is in the midst of intense development, with thousands of housing projects at various stages of completion.

A great variety of sizes, prices and styles are available, as new neighborhoods are established, and existing ones expanded. Options for second -hand housing in older neighborhoods, as well as rentals, are also available. Each neighborhood includes local services such as kindergartens, schools, synagogues and a commercial center.

The following are approximate prices of apartments in Beit Shemesh:

Please note: The amount of rooms includes all the rooms, except the kitchen, bathroom or balcony.

Absorption

As a city that has already successfully absorbed thousands of olim, Beit Shemesh has developed an efficient system for additional absorption. Existing communities of fellow “landsman” and neighbors, continue to offer warmth and assistance to newcomers, ensuring that Beit Shemesh not only develops in size, but in quality as well.

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Last updated: Tuesday, August 12, 2003