Editing Beit Shemesh (section)

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title=Historical population
|type = Israel
|footnote =
|1955|3000
|1961|7000
|1972|10100
|1983|13000
|1995|24900
|2008|72700
|2018|118700
|2024|170683

|source = [http://www.cbs.gov.il/reader/shnaton/templ_shnaton_e.html?num_tab=st02_24&CYear=2017 CBS]
}}
When the city was built in the 1950s, it was initially settled by [[olim|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 [[Anglo-Israelis|immigrants from English-speaking countries]] (Anglo-Saxim). Considerable numbers have come from [[North America]], 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.<ref name=times>
{{Cite web |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-growing-pains-of-beit-shemesh/ |title=The growing pains of Beit Shemesh |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |access-date=13 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217162913/http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-growing-pains-of-beit-shemesh |archive-date=17 December 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref><ref name="Forward1">
{{cite news|title=Building a Bit of America in Beit Shemesh|author=Nathan Jeffay|url=http://forward.com/articles/14949/|newspaper=The Jewish Daily Forward|date=15 January 2009|access-date=30 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106143914/http://www.forward.com/articles/14949/|archive-date=6 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref>

According to a city councilor, there were no "ultra-Orthodox" a/k [[Haredi Judaism|Haredim]] groups in Beit Shemesh before the 1990s.<ref name="GuardianOct2001"/> Since then, Beit Shemesh has become increasingly [[Orthodox Judaism|religious]], with a large Haredi sector, particularly in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Many [[synagogue]]s and [[yeshiva]]s have been built in the city. Religious communities represented in Beit Shemesh include [https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/36226/jewish/About-Chabad-Lubavitch.htm Chabad] [[Ger (Hasidic dynasty)|Ger]], [[Belz (Hasidic dynasty)|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 the municipality, 63% of the city's schoolchildren in 2010 were Haredim.<ref name="Haaretz1.312923">{{cite web| url= http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/magazine/black-and-white-in-color-1.312923| title= Black and white in color| work= [[Haaretz]]| author= Ettinger, Yair| date= 8 September 2010| access-date= 21 February 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121102192253/http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/magazine/black-and-white-in-color-1.312923| archive-date= 2 November 2012| url-status= live| df= dmy-all}}</ref> 75% of the children entering the first grade in the 2012/2013 academic year will be registered in official Haredi institutions.<ref name="Haaretz1.411748">
{{cite web| url= http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/three-quarters-of-beit-shemesh-first-graders-will-attend-ultra-orthodox-schools-next-year-1.411748| title= Three-quarters of Beit Shemesh first-graders will attend ultra-Orthodox schools next year| work= [[Haaretz]]| author= Ettinger, Yair| date= 8 February 2012| access-date= 21 February 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120226224822/http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/three-quarters-of-beit-shemesh-first-graders-will-attend-ultra-orthodox-schools-next-year-1.411748| archive-date= 26 February 2012| url-status= live| df= dmy-all}}
</ref>

===Ramat Beit Shemesh===
[[File:Ramat Beit Shemsh.svg|right|200px|thumb|Map of Ramat Beit Shemesh subdistricts]]
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 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.<ref name="Haaretz1.312923"/> In 2002, following tensions between 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#Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimmel|Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimmel]]'', would be built as a largely Haredi neighborhood on a large block of state-owned land bordering southern Beit Shemesh.<ref name="Haaretz1.312923"/> In 2016 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.<ref>
{{Cite web|url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/374066/tender-publicized-for-3268-housing-units-in-beit-shemesh.html|title=Tender Publicized for 3,268 Housing Units in Beit Shemesh|date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313022702/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/374066/tender-publicized-for-3268-housing-units-in-beit-shemesh.html|archive-date=13 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref>

===Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef===
Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph ({{langx|he|רמת בית שמש א}}) is a neighborhood of Beit Shemesh comprising about 25,000 people. The neighborhood has numerous parks and public areas. The newest park 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 [[Chareidi|Hareidi]] until [[Masortim|Masorti]] or [[Dati Leumi]], with each group having its own synagogues and schools, in general. Masos/Masot Mordechai 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-Israelis|Anglo]] descent, with religious levels ranging from American religious all 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 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 [[Chareidim|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 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 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:

*Hatzola Beit Shemesh – An independent organization combining first response and follow-up care of emergency medical situations.
*Kupa Shel Tzedaka – A charity organization helping needy families to rehabilitate them to self-sufficiency. (Mishkenos Yaakov has a separate organization for their needy families.)
*Ezrat Achim – A medical aid organization such as trips to the hospital, x-rays, and loan of medical equipment.
*Mishkan Adei Ad – An organization that assists needy families with the vast expenses of making weddings.
*Hakeshiva – An organization that focuses on the prevention of, and giving aiding to, teens-at-risk.

===Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet===
Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet ({{langx|he|רמת בית שמש ב}}), situated between Beit Shemesh and Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph, is primarily populated by Haredi Jews, of which most are [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] Jews of various dynasties.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sokol |first1=Sam |last2=Sharon|first2=Jeremy|title=Haredi Extremists Riot Over 'Desecration of Graves' at Beit Shemesh Building Site. Police Arrest 29. Mea' She'arim Demonstrators Burn Dumpsters |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1424314807 |access-date=25 July 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=13 August 2013|id={{ProQuest|1424314807}} }}</ref>

===Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimmel===
Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimmel ({{langx|he|רמת בית שמש ג}}) is located just south of Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph, overlooking the Nachal Yarmut Park. RBS Gimmel consists of two parts, Gimmel Aleph (1) officially named "''Kiryat Avi Ezri''", and Gimmel Bet or Gimmel Shtayim (2), officially named "''Kiryat Ovadia''".

Gimmel 1 which is heavily populated with over 3,000 apartments, developed into a thriving neighborhood in a very short time, and as of 2024 has many synagogues, stores, clinics, and schools.

Gimmel 2 is closer to the original Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph. Neve Shamir is to its east, and to its west, is Gimmel 1. Residents first started moving into Gimmel 2 in 2020 and the neighborhood has 3 shopping centers and multiple synagogues.

Both Gimmel 1 & 2 have become very appealing to the Anglo-Saxon public, though there seems to be a higher percentage of English speakers in Gimmel 1.

===Ramat Beit Shemesh Daled===
As of 2024, Ramat Beit Shemesh Daled ({{langx|he|רמת בית שמש ד}}) has become a sprawling multi sectional neighborhood. Currently there are 4 sections: RBS Daled 1,2,3 & 4. While there is still a lot of construction, many buildings have been built and populated, predominately by [[Haredi]] Jews.

The plan was that a total of 8,000 homes and apartments would be built in three stages; Daled 1, Daled 2 and Daled 3. The neighborhoods of Daled 1 and Daled 2 would each comprise 3,000 apartments, and Daled 4 would have 2,000 apartments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ramat Beit Shemesh Daled - Apartments for Sale|url=https://ramatbeitshemesh.com/ramat-beit-shemesh-daled/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=Ramat Beit Shemesh|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Ramat Beit Shemesh Hey / Neve Shamir===
The neighborhood, under construction, was originally earmarked for the non-Haredi public<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shemesh.co.il/en/explore/highlights/idf-allotted-housing-for-personnel-in-neve-shamir-rbs-hey/details|title=IDF Allotted Housing for Personnel in Neve Shamir (RBS Hey) &#124; ShemeshPhone|website=www.shemesh.co.il}}</ref> 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 the tenders were won by many Haredi and Religious Zionist families, this area also seems to be turning into a religious neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buyitinisrael.com/news/sukkah-balcony-adds-value-to-homes-in-israel/|title = The Sukkah balcony – a mandatory feature for many people buying a home in Israel|date = 29 September 2020}}</ref> The rest is being sold in the private market, with many Haredim already have purchased houses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.israel-properties.com/ramat-beit-shemesh-hey |title=Israel Properties &#124; New Residential & Comercial Projects |access-date=5 February 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201104526/https://www.israel-properties.com/ramat-beit-shemesh-hey |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
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 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, 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shemeshnet.co.il/articles/26251/|title=נווה שמיר: עשרות זוגות השתתפו בסיור עם רה"ע בשכונה החדשה
|publisher=SHEMESHNET}}</ref>

===Ramat Shilo===
Ramat Shilo was built in 2007 with 340 [[housing units]] geared toward [[Modern Orthodox Jews]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel/haredim-make-immodest-inroads-in-ramat-beit-shemesh-aleph|title=Haredim make immodest inroads in Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph|website=The Jerusalem Post &#124; JPost.com|date=20 July 2007 }}</ref> Since then, 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, [[yeshiva]]s and [[kollel]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jewpro.co.uk/jewish/article/20/Classifieds/Where-to-buy-in-Ramat-Bet-Shemesh-Aleph|title=Where to buy in Ramat Bet Shemesh Aleph<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> The largest institution is [[Yeshivat Lev Hatorah]], a [[Religious Zionist]] yeshiva founded by Rabbi Boaz Mori.<ref name="religionarticles">{{Cite web |url=http://religionarticles.net/spirituality-religion/ramat-bet-shemesh-aleph-and-its-many-wonders |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 August 2020 |archive-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120724/http://religionarticles.net/spirituality-religion/ramat-bet-shemesh-aleph-and-its-many-wonders |url-status=dead }}</ref> The local synagogues include Beis Dovid/Pilzno Beis HaMedrash, a [[Hasidic]] synagogue representing the [[Pilzno (Hasidic dynasty)|Pilzno Hasidic dynasty]] under the leadership of Rabbi [[Yehoshua Gerzi]],<ref>[http://www.shemesh.co.il/cgi-bin/comdb.cgi Shemesh<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Mishkan Shilo, an [[Ashkenazi]] synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi [[Dovid Bagno]],<ref name="religionarticles" /> Mishkan Moshe Va'Eliyahu, a [[Sephardi]] synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Shai Naftali,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.organizations.co.il/%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%9B%D7%9F-%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%94%D7%95---%D7%91%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%A9-(%D7%A2%22%D7%A8)-580545051|title=משכן משה ואליהו – בית שמש (ע"ר) – מאגר עמותות|website=www.organizations.co.il}}</ref> and Ohev Yisroel, a Hasidic synagogue under the leadership of Rabbi Binyomin Flintenstein of the [[Kapishnitzer Hassidic dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ohevyisroel.org.il/community/ |title=Community – Ohev Yisroel |access-date=15 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726033827/http://ohevyisroel.org.il/community/ |archive-date=26 July 2013 }}</ref>

Notable residents of Ramat Shilo include:
* Rabbi [[Avraham Jacobovitz]], founder of Machon L'Torah and Jewish Awareness America (JAAM)
* Rabbi [[Howard Apfel]], [[cardiologist]] at [[Columbia University Medical Center]].
* Rabbi [[Yehoshua Fass]], founder and executive director of [[Nefesh B'Nefesh]]
Among the communal organizations is Chasdei Shilo which provides assistance for families with financial difficulties as well as serves as a communal resource network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.organizations.co.il/%D7%97%D7%A1%D7%93%D7%99-%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94-(%D7%A2%22%D7%A8)-580530392|title=חסדי שילה (ע"ר) – מאגר עמותות|website=www.organizations.co.il}}</ref>

===Urban kibbutz ''Tamuz''===
Beit Shemesh also has an [[urban kibbutz]] affiliated with the [[Kibbutz Movement]], Tamuz, founded in 1987.

[[File:View of Beit Shemesh.jpg|thumb|Beit Shemesh as seen from Tzora (Zorah) mountain]]