54-780: The Beit Shemesh Judean Rebels (up until 2019-Judean Rebels) are a semiprofessional American football team in the Israel Football League . The Rebels represent the city of Beit Shemesh and Gush Etzion settlements and they play their home games at the Beit Shemesh Stadium. The Rebels joined the Israel Football League (IFL) as an expansion team in 2009. While the Rebels are a settler team, they have also included Palestinian players. In their second season, they won IsraBowl IV over
108-671: A Hasidic synagogue representing the Pilzno Hasidic dynasty under the leadership of Rabbi Yehoshua Gerzi , Mishkan Shilo, an Ashkenazi synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Dovid Bagno , Mishkan Moshe Va'Eliyahu, a Sephardi synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Shai Naftali, and Ohev Yisroel, a Hasidic synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Binyomin Flintenstein of the Kapishnitzer Hassidic dynasty . Notable residents of Ramat Shilo include: Among
162-489: A century at the same location. The station has three platforms. Beit Shemesh is home to numerous sports clubs all under the main sport associations ( Beitar , Hapoel , and Maccabi ). The city has soccer teams including juniors, seniors and over-35s teams and boasted a franchise in the Israel Baseball League . The Beit Shemesh Blue Sox represented Beit Shemesh and finished in first place nationally in
216-505: A close third at 20.6 percent. Eda Haredit boycott the elections. During the municipal elections held on 22 October 2013, acting on several anonymous tips, police raided several private residences and recovered 200 ID cards and disguising materials such as hats, glasses and wigs which law enforcement suspected were used or going to be used for fraudulent voting. Additionally, eight people were arrested on suspicion for engaging and coordinating fraudulent voting activities. On 10 December 2013,
270-556: A few days after the massacre to extend his condolences and ask forgiveness in the name of his country, a step which was seen as both courageous and touching. All public bus service is operated with mixed-gender seating. The Tnufah Bus company which started service in 2022 and Express are the transportation carriers in Beit Shemesh. Previously Superbus and Egged also provided bus service. Gender separation on busses, an important religious value for Haredi Jews , has been disallowed by
324-404: A hill immediately to the south of "Old Beit Shemesh". Ramat Beit Shemesh is located on a hill overlooking Givat Sharett. Ramat Beit Shemesh has a large, diverse Orthodox population. Originally, it consisted of two areas: Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef and Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet . In Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet , families belonging to Eda Haredit constitute the majority. In 2002, following tensions between
378-520: A large Haredi sector, particularly in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Many synagogues and yeshivas have been built in the city. Religious communities represented in Beit Shemesh include Chabad Ger , Belz , American Modern Orthodox and American Yeshivish, French Sefardim, South African Modern Orthodox, Israeli Dati Leumi and more recently a Spanish speaking community. In 2011 Haredim made up 40% of the population. According to statistics published by
432-436: A personal defense weapon while on duty, under the condition that the gun and ammunition type is authorized by the police (9 mm). Common pistols owned and carried by volunteers include Glock and CZ-75 designs. Specialized armaments such as automatic rifles, bolt-action rifles and non-lethal weapons are assigned according to activity and not on personal basis. Border Guard personnel, however, carry an M16 or M4 rifle as
486-476: A population of 170,683 as of 2024. The city is named after and located near the remains of ancient Beth Shemesh, a biblical city in the territory of Judah . Its ruins can be found today at the archaeological site of Tel Beit Shemesh . The small archaeological tell northwest of the modern city was identified in the late 1830s as Biblical Beth Shemesh – it was known as Ain Shams – by Edward Robinson . The tel
540-408: A second round of elections. The previous mayor of Beit Shemesh was Aliza Bloch . Formerly a Likud stronghold, in the 2006 Knesset elections United Torah Judaism became the city's strongest party, with 22.2 percent of the votes and Shas getting 19.9 percent. In 2009 Likud regained its primacy, obtaining 22.2 percent of the votes, and Shas also gained, garnering 20.9 percent, with United Torah Judaism
594-566: A standard personal weapon and can carry it home while off duty (like regular infantry in the Israel Defense Forces ). In 2015, the editorial of Haaretz claimed "Women constitute at least 30 percent of the police force" and criticized there were no women who have reached the rank of major general. A 2014 analysis by Yesh Din questioned the professionalism of the police force of the Judea & Samaria District (also known as
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#1732790462291648-535: A three-judge panel of the Jerusalem District Court nullified the results of the October municipal elections due to voter fraud and ordered a new election. Following an unprecedented 76% voter turnout rate, incumbent mayor Moshe Abutbul beat contender Eli Cohen with a 51% majority vote during the reelection which took place on 11 March 2014. In 2001, there were 56 schools and 14,148 students in
702-472: A year. A total of 8,000 homes and apartments will be built in three stages; Daled 1, Daled 2 and Daled 3. The neighborhoods of Daled 1 and Daled 2 will each comprise 3,000 apartments, and Daled 4 will have 2,000 apartments. The neighborhood, under construction, was originally earmarked for the non-Haredi public and it was designed like non-Haredi neighborhood. However, being that some of the apartments were marketed as part of "mechir la-mishtaken" program and
756-729: Is Yarmut Park, the biggest in Beit Shemesh. Shopping is plentiful as well, with 4 supermarkets and a shopping area with over 130 shops. The area has a few different sections each with its own unique touch and strong points. There is the Dolev section, the Revivim section, and the Mishkenos Yaakov section. The Dolev section contains a heterogeneous mix of native Israelis and immigrants. Religiosity varies as well from Hareidi until Masorti or Dati Leumi , with each group having its own synagogues and schools, in general. Masos/Masot Mordechai
810-636: Is a place where all types come together to pray at all times of the day. Points of interest in the Dolev section are the Matnas, a community center that services all types of Jews of the RBS A community, and Park Center, a mini-mall of various stores and restaurants. Streets include Dolev, Lachish, Shimshon, Timnah, Yarkon, and Yarden. The Revivim section is lower down than Dolev. This area is populated mostly by Haredim, both Israeli and of Anglo descent (Chutznikim), with religious levels ranging from American religious all
864-437: Is armed with a pistol (handgun) which he or she usually also carries while off duty. Also, each patrol car must have at least one long-arm (i.e. rifle). Police volunteers are usually armed with an M1 Carbine , which they return to the armory after they finish their duty (they do not take the rifle home, but may sign one out for escorting field trips, etc.). Volunteers who have a gun license may use their own personal handgun as
918-464: Is expected that the city could be home to as many as 250,000 residents by 2025 and 350,000 by 2035. A new commercial center in the Ramat Beit Shemesh neighborhood is planned to be the city's largest. In 2020, the construction of a hospital in Beit Shemesh, which will be run as a branch of Hadassah Medical Center , was approved. Beit Shemesh has a Mediterranean climate ( Köppen : Csa ), with mild, rainy winters and hot, nearly rainless summers. When
972-455: Is looked up to as the respected opinion regarding religious questions and community projects. Points of interest in the Mishkenos Yaakov area include Lev Eliyahu, the synagogue with the most Minyanim in all of RBSA, and the Merkaz, the shopping center more than 130 stores of all types. Streets include Sorek (lower half), Kishon, Uriah, Micha, and Shacham. A further expansion to Ramat Beit Shemesh
1026-433: Is primarily populated by Haredi Jews, of which most are Hasidic Jews of various dynasties. Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimmel is located just south of Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph. Gimmel consists of two parts, Gimmel 1 and Gimmel 2. Gimmel 1 is already populated with about 2,000 apartments, Gimmel 2 is currently under construction. With its lowers density building and larger apartments as well as the many open spaces and parks Gimmel 1
1080-492: Is seen as more appealing to the Anglo-Saxon public. Gimmel 1 is officially named " Kiryat Avi Ezri ", while Gimmel 2 is named " Kiryat Ovadia ". Gimmel 1 developed into a thriving neighborhood in a very short time and as of 2018 has many synagogues, stores, clinics and schools. As of 2020, this neighborhood is still under construction. The residents - most of whom are projected to be Haredi - are expected to move in within
1134-602: Is the civilian police force of Israel . As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime fighting, traffic control , maintaining public safety , and counter-terrorism . It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Security . The National Headquarters of the Israel Police is located at Kiryat HaMemshala in Jerusalem . The Israel Police operates throughout Israel, Area C of
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#17327904622911188-534: Is the leafy suburbs of Mishkafayim located at the eastern edge of Aleph overlooking the Zanoah quarry. The area, still under development, has started to be populated. The makeup is entirely by Orthodox Jews of all strands including Chasidish, Hareidi, and Dati Leumi/Modern Orthodox. The area currently has 6 minyanim. Organizations based in Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph include: Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet
1242-520: The Civil Guard , handling civilian complaints, handling youth violence, educational campaigns. The Israel Police is a professional force, with some 35,000 persons on the payroll. There are also 70,000 Civil Guard volunteers who carry out part-time work in helping to police their own communities. The police are divided into the following main divisional groups: The Israel Police is divided into six regional district commands: Each patrol officer
1296-460: The Hartuv displaced persons camp " Ma'abarat Har-Tuv" was established on the site of the current-day Moshav Naham . The first inhabitants were Jewish Bulgarian immigrants. They were joined by more Jewish immigrants from Bulgaria, Iran , Iraq , Romania , Morocco , and Kurdistan . In 1952, the first permanent houses were built in Beit Shemesh. In its early years, Beit Shemesh came to typify
1350-555: The United Kingdom , South Africa , and Australia . This population tends to be Orthodox, educated, and from middle-income groups. At the same time, Orthodox Jews from within Israel also began moving to the city, seeking roomier, low-cost housing. According to a city councilor, there were no "ultra-Orthodox" a/k Haredim groups in Beit Shemesh before the 1990s. Since then, Beit Shemesh has become increasingly religious , with
1404-475: The West Bank ) as only 7.4% of reported attacks by Israeli citizens on Palestinian persons and property had led to indictments. In 2015, several senior officers resigned due to criminal investigations or accusations of sexual harassment of employees. Five police at the rank of major general resigned in the preceding 18 months amid scandal. The February 2015 announcement that another senior Israel Police officer
1458-545: The West Bank , and the Golan Heights , —in all places in which Israel has civilian control. It is the sole civilian law enforcement agency in Israel: there are no municipal or regional police forces, though some municipalities operate municipal enforcement units that deal with low-level offenses and provide additional security and as such have the power to issue fines, but do not have police authority. In an emergency,
1512-520: The " Development Town " with a largely Maghrebi immigrant population. In 1977, following a writeup in Haaretz newspaper, Beit Shemesh was perceived as the main outpost for Menachem Begin 's Likud party. He promised to rehabilitate neighborhoods and when the Likud party came to power that year, investment in the city increased. Building of a new area of Beit Shemesh called "Givat Sharett" commenced on
1566-501: The Haredi and non-religious population, plans were drawn up to build another secular neighborhood, HaShachar. In 2007, Ramat Shilo , considered a subdistrict of Ramat Beit Shemesh, with both Dati Leumi and Haredi residents was built. In 2009, it was announced that a new neighborhood, Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimmel , would be built as a largely Haredi neighborhood on a large block of state-owned land bordering southern Beit Shemesh. In 2016
1620-534: The Israeli Land Authority published tenders for 3,268 new apartments, to be built in the newly proposed areas of Ramat Beit Shemesh Dalet and Hey. According to plans, ultimately there are to be 8,300 new apartments in RBS Dalet alone. Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph is a neighborhood of Beit Shemesh comprising about 25,000 people. The neighborhood has numerous parks and public areas. The newest park
1674-592: The Migdal HaMayim neighborhood all began to be built in the early 1990s in Givat Sharret. Ramat Beit Shemesh started to be built on hills immediately south of Givat Sharett in the late 1990s, doubling the size of the city. In 2017, the Israeli government approved a master plan to build 17,000 new housing units along with 53 hectares (130 acres) zoned as new commercial space for businesses and hotels. It
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1728-548: The Neve Shamir neighborhood is of interest to them." In May 2020, Dozens of national and secular religious couples (hiloni and dathi leomi) took part in a tour of the Neve Shamir neighborhood with former Mayor Aliza Bloch and her deputy. Those in attendance answered current questions and information from the field. In light of the success of the reunion, more tours were held. Ramat Shilo was built in 2007 with 340 housing units geared toward Modern Orthodox Jews . Since then,
1782-727: The Noham industrial zone are situated various other factories and offices. Since the high tech boom began in the 1990s, Beit Shemesh has been host to several hi-tech startups including Omek Interactive . Bus transportation within Beit Shemesh and most inter-city routes is operated by Tnufah and Beit Shemesh Express as of 2021, replacing the former Superbus , which began service on 5 January 2009. The Egged Bus Cooperative , which previously operated all bus service in and to Beit Shemesh, still operates to some distant cities but no longer operates from Beit Shemesh to Jerusalem . Nateev express operates busses to Tsfat and Netivot. Tnufa operates
1836-536: The Supreme Court of Israel. As of 2024, Beit Shemesh is a thriving city with a mainly Haredi population, as well as a Dati Leumi minority. The growing pains of communal tensions of two decades ago have faded since the efforts of the last two mayors: Moshe Abutbul who now is a Knesset member and Aliza Bloch, the former mayor. Beit Shemesh is considered a religious, family-oriented city where children can walk safely and freely both day and night in all parts of
1890-743: The Tel Aviv Sabres. The Rebels have also won IsraBowl VIII and IsraBowl IX. In 2019, the organization moved from Jerusalem to Beit Shemesh along with their high school team, the Beit Shemesh Warriors. Beit Shemesh Beit Shemesh ( Hebrew : בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ [bet ʃemeʃ] , "house of the Sun") is a city located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Jerusalem in Israel 's Jerusalem District . A center of Haredi Judaism and Modern Orthodoxy , Beit Shemesh has
1944-561: The Yishuv Militias specifically used bombing and intimidation to depopulate Bayt Nattif. Later, Israeli forces completely destroyed Bayt Nattif along with other Arab villages, to prevent the Palestinian Arabs from returning after expulsion, they are still not allowed to return till now. Afterwards, The Harel Brigade drove out all Palestinian refugees they found in the area south of Bayt Nattif. On 6 December 1950,
1998-575: The city as of 2021. Beit Shemesh Railway Station provides hourly service on the Israel Railways Herzliya – Lod – Jerusalem line. The station is located in the north industrial zone of Beit Shemesh at the Big Fashion Mall and shopping center across from Shaarei Hair Mall. It was renovated in 2003 after being in operation for close to 100 years. It was renovated and reopened on 13 September 2003, having existed for over
2052-646: The city under the current leadership of Shmuel Greenberg. In 2004 the Israel Association of Ethiopian Jews claimed that Ethiopian Jews working for the municipality were being paid below-minimum wages. In 2011, the Association criticized the referral of Ethiopian Jews to three private pre-schools run by the mayor's wife. Israel Police The Israel Police ( Hebrew : משטרת ישראל , romanized : Mišteret Yisra'el ; Arabic : شرطة إسرائيل , romanized : Shurtat Isrāʼīl )
2106-425: The city was built in the 1950s, it was initially settled by new immigrants from Iran , Iraq , Romania , Bulgaria , Morocco , and Iraqi Kurdistan . In the 1990s, the city saw a large influx of new immigrants from the former Soviet Union , Ethiopia , and English-speaking countries , turning it into a major center for immigrants from English-speaking countries. Considerable numbers have come from North America ,
2160-589: The city, such as: Gush Etzion , Mevaseret Zion and Jerusalem , and a group of people from abroad, mainly from the US, a community-oriented population such as the Sheinfeld neighborhood. Just a year ago, I toured the US and met with many groups whose fruits are for the encounters that I see there today. In addition, we try to interest the teachers' union, such as the Ashmoreth group, where teachers and education people,
2214-687: The city: 41 elementary schools with 10,716 elementary school students, and 20 high schools with 3,432 high school students. 40.3% of 12th grade students were entitled to a matriculation certificate. Beit Shemesh has two industrial zones containing mainly small industry, particularly in the Northern industrial zone which is typified by carpentry and metalwork workshops, garages and wholesale and retail outlets. The Western industrial zone contains several larger companies including Beit Shemesh Engines Ltd. (BSEL) which manufactures and repairs jet engines and jet engine components, Barzellan and others. Nearby in
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2268-524: The communal organizations is Chasdei Shilo which provides assistance for families with financial difficulties as well as serves as a communal resource network. Beit Shemesh also has an urban kibbutz affiliated with the Kibbutz Movement , Tamuz, founded in 1987. Bet Shemesh has a heavy Haredi majority, the current mayor of Beit Shemesh is Shmuel Greenberg . He assumed office in March 2024 after
2322-486: The hill adjacent to, and immediately to the south of, the original part of Beit Shemesh (the original area now being colloquially referred to as "Old Beit Shemesh" despite continuing building there and in the rest of the city). The Israel Police maintains a bomb disposal specialist unit and training center in Beit Shemesh. The Nahala U'Menucha neighborhood, the Sheinfeld neighborhood, the Nofei Aviv neighborhood and
2376-580: The hill. After Noam, come the GRA streets (Gilo, Ramot, Achziv), which culminate near the GRA shul.) The Mishkenos Yaakov section is located next to the Merkaz (central shopping area ). Here the population is almost exclusively Haredim , both Israelis and Chutznikim, although the Chuznikim tend to lean towards their Israeli counterparts regarding religious/cultural issues. There is an official Rav (Mara D'Asra), Rav Mordechai Goldstein (son of Rav Tuvia ztl), who
2430-429: The inter-city bus routes as of 2021 The travel time between Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem by bus is between 40 min and 1 hour. Transportation to Tel aviv is between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes. The new express lines to Jerusalem are direct with new addition such as bus line 600 and the night lines. Beit Shemesh Express operates over 40 bus routes with over 200 eco friendly electric busses serving all areas of
2484-495: The league's only season, though they played their games at Gezer Field in Kibbutz Gezer due to a lack of proper facilities in Beit Shemesh. There is also a very active Little League in Beit Shemesh and Ramat Beit Shemesh, with over 300 members. In the field of judo , Elitzur Beit Shemesh has won many prizes. Israel Kung Fu and world Nunchaku champion (2001) Eli Ivgi was born in and lives in Beit Shemesh. Beit Shemesh
2538-406: The municipality, 63% of the city's schoolchildren in 2010 were Haredim. 75% of the children entering the first grade in the 2012/2013 academic year will be registered in official Haredi institutions. Ramat Beit Shemesh is an expansion that lies directly adjacent to, and to the south of, the neighborhood of Givat Sharett in Beit Shemesh, which itself was an earlier extension of Beit Shemesh built on
2592-506: The neighborhood has experienced rapid growth and development. The residents of Ramat Shilo are Orthodox Jews , both Dati Leumi and Haredi . The neighborhood has a large community of English-speaking olim . Its residents are both Ashkenazim and Sephardim . Ramat Shilo has a number of synagogues, yeshivas and kollels . The largest institution is Yeshivat Lev Hatorah , a Religious Zionist yeshiva founded by Rabbi Boaz Mori. The local synagogues include Beis Dovid/Pilzno Beis HaMedrash,
2646-462: The period of the Hasmonean kings and earlier. This area is currently under dispute about preservation, having been the subject of a grassroots campaign. Under the proposed United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine , the town was slated to be part of an internationalized Jerusalem. The indigenous Palestinian Arabs of Bayt Nattif were expelled during Zionist ethnic cleansing campaign of 1948 ,
2700-445: The police can be reached by dialing 100 from any telephone in Israel. The Israel Police was established in 1948. It is responsible for public security, maintaining public order, securing public events and rallies, dismantling suspicious objects and explosives ( EOD ), riot and crowd control, law enforcement, crime fighting, detective work, covert operations against drug networks, investigating suspects, road traffic control, operating
2754-409: The tenders were won by many Haredi and Religious Zionist families, this area also seems to be turning into a religious neighborhood. The rest is being sold in the private market, with many Haredim already have purchased houses. According to the former mayor, Aliza Bloch , "We are witnessing a group of purchasers of residents of Beit Shemesh being divided among the general public, another group outside
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#17327904622912808-511: The way to a few Yerushalmis. With the majority being Olim (immigrants to Israel), in this case primarily from the US, much of the neighborhood is connected to an American Minyan such as the Gra, Pnei Shmuel, or others. There is a big emphasis on living a Torah lifestyle which pervades the area. Streets include Revivim, Ramot, Gilo, Noam, and Achziv. (A way to remember these streets is their geographic location, from west to east, and from lower to higher on
2862-500: Was excavated in numerous phases during the 20th century. The area that compromised Beit Shemesh today was under Ottoman rule and later British Mandate of Palestine . The Ramat Beit Shemesh neighborhood area was the site belonging to the Arab village Bayt Nattif , which was built on remnants of an ancient Judean town, with various remnants of Jewish settlement from the time, such as a mosaic floor, wineries and other remains, especially from
2916-531: Was not involved in any Arab conflict since 1997. On 13 March 1997, seven 13 and 14-year-old girls from Beit Shemesh's AMIT Fuerst School were killed at the " Island of Peace " site in Naharayim in Northern Israel by a Jordanian soldier while on a school class trip. They were visiting the joint Israeli and Jordanian tourist resort under Jordanian rule. King Hussein of Jordan went to Beit Shemesh
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