View source for Beit Shemesh

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{coord|31|44|44|N|34|59|12|E|region:IL|format=dms|display=title}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Beit Shemesh
| native_name              = {{Lang|he|{{Script/Hebrew|בית שמש}}|rtl=yes}}
| settlement_type          = [[List of cities in Israel|City]]
| translit_lang1           = Hebrew
| translit_lang1_type1     = [[ISO 259]]
| translit_lang1_info1     = Beit Šemš
| translit_lang1_type3     = Also spelled
| translit_lang1_info3     = Bet Shemesh (official)
| image_skyline            = {{center|{{Photomontage
  |photo1a = גבעת התורמוסים 03.jpg
  |photo1b = Modern bet shemesh.png
  |photo2a = Bet shemesh-Kanyon BIG.jpg
  |photo2b = Beit Shemesh - Condominiums 03.jpg
  |photo4e = רמת בית שמש ג'.tif
  |size    = 280
  |color   = transparent
  |border  = 0
  }}}}
| image_blank_emblem       = Coat of arms of Beit Shemesh.svg
| blank_emblem_type        = Coat of arms
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_map              = Israel jerusalem#Israel
| pushpin_mapsize          = 
| pushpin_label_position   = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = 
| mapframe                 = yes
| mapframe-zoom            = 11
| coordinates              = 
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{ISR}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[Districts of Israel|District]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Jerusalem District]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = [[Shmuel Greenberg]]<ref>
{{Cite web |url=https://www.jdn.co.il/municipal/2156606/ |title=Municipal Elections - Second Round}}
</ref>
| unit_pref                = dunam
| area_total_dunam         = {{formatnum:34259|R}}
| population_footnotes     = {{Israel populations|reference}}
| population_total         = {{Israel populations|Bet Shemesh}}
| population_as_of         = {{Israel populations|Year}}
| population_density_km2   = auto
| demographics_type1     = Ethnicity
| demographics1_footnotes = {{Israel populations|reference}}
|  demographics1_title1    = [[Israeli Jews|Jews and others]]
|  demographics1_info1     = 99.9%
|  demographics1_title2    = [[Arab citizens of Israel|Arabs]]
|  demographics1_info2     = 0.1%
| blank_name_sec1          = Name meaning
| blank_info_sec1          = House of the Sun
}}
'''Beit Shemesh''' ({{langx|he|בית שמש||House of the Sun}}) is a [[city council (Israel)|city]] located approximately {{convert|30|km|mi}} west of [[Jerusalem]] in [[Israel]]'s [[Jerusalem District]]. A center of [[Haredi Judaism]] and [[Modern Orthodoxy]], Beit Shemesh has a population of {{Israel populations|Bet Shemesh}} as of {{Israel populations|Year}}.{{Israel populations|reference}}

The city is named after and located near the [[Tel Beit Shemesh|remains of ancient Beth Shemesh]], a biblical city of the territory of [[Tribe of Judah|Judah]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Lemche |first=Niels Peter |title=Historical dictionary of ancient Israel |date=2004 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-4848-1 |series=Historical dictionaries of ancient civilizations and historical eras |location=Lanham, Md. |pages=77 |quote=}}</ref>

==History==
===Tel Beit Shemesh===
{{main|Tel Beit Shemesh}}
[[File:The area of modern Beit Shemesh shortly prior to its founding.png|thumb|The area of modern Beit Shemesh in the 1940s, shortly prior to its founding in 1952.]]
The small archaeological [[Tell (archaeology)|tell]] northwest of the modern city was identified in the late 1830s as Biblical [[Tel Beit Shemesh|Beth Shemesh]] – it was known as Ain Shams – by [[Edward Robinson (scholar)|Edward Robinson]].<ref name="Issa 2021 pp. 309–327">{{cite book | last=Issa | first=Rana | title=Tracing the Jerusalem Code | chapter=Chapter 16 Missionary Philology and the Invention of Bibleland | publisher=De Gruyter | date=2021-04-19 | doi=10.1515/9783110639476-017 | pages=309–327| isbn=978-3-11-063947-6 | s2cid=233588992 |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350569035|quote=For Robinson and Smith, the natives unwittingly carry the "divine dialect" of the land. Based on information from their lips, Robinson turns Ain Shams into the Bible's Beit Shemesh, Ain and Beit being so seemingly common as to be interchangeable.}}</ref> The mound hosts the ruins of an ancient city that belonged to the tribe of [[Tribe of Judah|Judah]].<ref name=":02" /> Excavations were carried out in various phases during the 20th century.

There are also other ancient ruins and findings within the boundaries of the modern municipality. In the area of the neighborhood called Ramat Beit Shemesh, a series of Hebrew-language [[Ostracon|ostraca]] were found, dating from the [[First Temple period|period of the First Temple]], which shed light on the [[Kingdom of Judah]] in the 7th century BCE.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Milevski |first1=Ianir |last2=Naveh |first2=Joseph |last3=נוה |first3=יוסף |last4=מילבסקי |first4=יניר |date=2005 |title=אוסטרקונים בשפה העברית מרמת בית שמש, אתר 94/21, מערה A-2 / The Hebrew Ostraca from Site 94/21, Cave A-2, at Ramat Bet Shemesh |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23464165?seq=6 |journal='Atiqot / עתיקות |volume=50 |pages=19–25 |jstor=23464165 |issn=0792-8424}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mendel-Geberovich |first1=Anat |last2=Faigenbaum-Golovin |first2=Shira |last3=Shaus |first3=Arie |last4=Sober |first4=Barak |last5=Cordonsky |first5=Michael |last6=Piasetzky |first6=Eli |last7=Finkelstein |first7=Israel |last8=Milevski |first8=Ianir |date=2019 |title=A Renewed Reading of Hebrew Ostraca from Cave A-2 at Ramat Beit Shemesh (Naḥal Yarmut), Based on Multispectral Imaging |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26842730 |journal=Vetus Testamentum |volume=69 |issue=4/5 |pages=682–701 |jstor=26842730 |issn=0042-4935}}</ref>

===Early development town years===
The area that comprises Beit Shemesh today was under Ottoman rule and later the [[Mandatory Palestine|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 the period of the [[Hasmonean]] kings and earlier. This area is currently under dispute about preservation, having been the subject of a [[grassroots]] campaign.{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}} Under the proposed [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine]], the town was slated to be part of an internationalized Jerusalem. The [[Palestinians|Palestinian Arab]] population of Bayt Nattif fled the village following an Israeli Air Force bombing campaign in October 1948, during the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]].<ref>Morris, 2004, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=uM_kFX6edX8C&pg=PA468 468], note #32 in Morris, 2004, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=uM_kFX6edX8C&pg=PA494 494]</ref> Israeli forces later completely destroyed Bayt Nattif along with other Arab villages.<ref>Morris, 2004, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=uM_kFX6edX8C&pg=PA355 355], footnote #85, on Morris, 2004, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=uM_kFX6edX8C&pg=PA400 400]: Harel Brigade HQ, "Daily report for 22 October", 23 Oct. 1948, IDFA 4775\49\3, for the destruction of Bait Nattiv and [[Deir Aban]]</ref><ref>''Har’el: Palmach brigade in Jerusalem'', Zvi Dror (ed. Nathan Shoḥam), Hakibbutz Hameuchad Publishers: Benei Barak 2005, p. 270 (Hebrew)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-14 |title=Mass forced displacement in Gaza highlights urgent need for Israel to uphold Palestinians' right to return |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/05/mass-forced-displacement-in-gaza-highlights-urgent-need-for-israel-to-uphold-palestinians-right-to-return/#:~:text=Amnesty%20International's%202022%20report%20found,of%20Israel's%20system%20of%20apartheid. |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=[[Amnesty International]] |language=en}}</ref> Afterwards, the Harel Brigade drove out all Palestinian refugees they found in the area south of Bayt Nattif.<ref>Morris, 2004, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=uM_kFX6edX8C&pg=PA518 518]</ref>

On 6 December 1950, the [[Hartuv]] [[displaced person]]s camp "[[Ma'abarot|Ma'abarat]] Har-Tuv" was established on the site of the current-day Moshav [[Naham]]. The first inhabitants were [[History of the Jews in Bulgaria|Jewish Bulgaria]]n immigrants. They were joined by more Jewish immigrants from Bulgaria, [[History of the Jews in Iran|Iran]], [[History of the Jews in Iraq|Iraq]], [[History of the Jews in Romania|Romania]], [[History of the Jews in Morocco|Morocco]], and [[Kurdish Jews|Kurdistan]].

In 1952, the first permanent houses were built in Beit Shemesh.  In its early years, Beit Shemesh came to typify the "[[Development town|Development Town]]" with a largely [[Maghrebi Jews|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.{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}}

Building of a new area of Beit Shemesh called "Givat Sharett" commenced on 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).

===21st century===
[[File:Beit Shemesh - Condominiums 04.jpg|thumb|Apartment complexes in Beit Shemesh]]The [[Israel Police]] maintains a bomb disposal specialist unit and training center in Beit Shemesh.<ref>Omri Efraim. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4125018,00.html Israel Police get 1st female sapper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100347/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4125018,00.html |date=2 April 2015 }}, Israel News, 20 September 2011.</ref>

The Nahala U'Menucha neighborhood, the Sheinfeld neighborhood, the Nofei Aviv neighborhood and 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 {{convert|53|ha}} zoned as new commercial space for businesses and hotels.<ref>
{{Cite web |url=http://hamodia.com/2017/04/03/netanyahu-beit-shemesh-will-double-size/ |title=Netanyahu: Beit Shemesh Will Double in Size - Hamodia Jewish and Israel News |access-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903140420/http://hamodia.com/2017/04/03/netanyahu-beit-shemesh-will-double-size/ |archive-date=3 September 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref><ref>
{{Cite web |url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-beit-shemesh-to-double-in-size-1001184442 |title=Globes English - Beit Shemesh to double in size |access-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511035833/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-beit-shemesh-to-double-in-size-1001184442 |archive-date=11 May 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref> It 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://real-invest.co.il/?p=3558|title=משקיעים? נפתחה הזדמנות לחנות משלכם במרכז הגרנדיוזי שנבנה ברמות בית שמש - Real-Invest|date=2 April 2017}}</ref> In 2020, the construction of a hospital in Beit Shemesh, which will be run as a branch of [[Hadassah Medical Center]], was approved.<ref name=hospital>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/health-science/hadassah-hospital-announces-plans-to-open-branch-in-beit-shemesh-614033|title=Hadassah Hospital announces plans to open branch in Beit Shemesh|website=The Jerusalem Post &#124; JPost.com|date=14 June 2020 }}</ref>

==Climate==
Beit Shemesh has a [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csa''),<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Table 1 Overview of the Köppen-Geiger climate classes including the defining criteria. |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-023-02549-6/tables/1 |journal=Nature: Scientific Data |language=en}}</ref> with mild, rainy winters and hot, nearly rainless summers.

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | metric first = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Beit Shemesh ([[Beit Jimal]]) (1991–2020)
 | Jan record high C = 29.2
 | Feb record high C = 32.2
 | Mar record high C = 37.0
 | Apr record high C = 40.6
 | May record high C = 42.3
 | Jun record high C = 43.1
 | Jul record high C = 40.5
 | Aug record high C = 40.9
 | Sep record high C = 42.3
 | Oct record high C = 41.2
 | Nov record high C = 34.5
 | Dec record high C = 32.1
 | year record high C = 43.1

 | Jan high C = 17.1
 | Feb high C = 18.1
 | Mar high C = 21.0
 | Apr high C = 25.4
 | May high C = 29.3
 | Jun high C = 31.7
 | Jul high C = 33.1
 | Aug high C = 33.4
 | Sep high C = 32.1
 | Oct high C = 29.5
 | Nov high C = 24.3
 | Dec high C = 19.3
 | year high C = 26.2

 | Jan mean C = 13.1
 | Feb mean C = 13.8
 | Mar mean C = 16.1
 | Apr mean C = 19.5
 | May mean C = 23.0
 | Jun mean C = 25.4
 | Jul mean C = 27.2
 | Aug mean C = 27.6
 | Sep mean C = 26.5
 | Oct mean C = 24.1
 | Nov mean C = 19.7
 | Dec mean C = 15.2
 | year mean C = 20.9

 | Jan low C = 9.1
 | Feb low C = 9.4
 | Mar low C = 11.1
 | Apr low C = 13.7
 | May low C = 16.7
 | Jun low C = 19.1
 | Jul low C = 21.2
 | Aug low C = 21.7
 | Sep low C = 20.8
 | Oct low C = 18.7
 | Nov low C = 15.0
 | Dec low C = 11.1
 | year low C = 15.6

 | Jan record low C = 0.0
 | Feb record low C = 0.2
 | Mar record low C = 2.0
 | Apr record low C = 3.4
 | May record low C = 9.5
 | Jun record low C = 13.0
 | Jul record low C = 17.4
 | Aug record low C = 18.6
 | Sep record low C = 13.9
 | Oct record low C = 11.9
 | Nov record low C = 6.7
 | Dec record low C = 0.6
 | year record low C = 0.0

 | precipitation colour = green
 | Jan precipitation mm = 135.9
 | Feb precipitation mm = 108.6
 | Mar precipitation mm = 61.1
 | Apr precipitation mm = 15.1
 | May precipitation mm = 6.9
 | Jun precipitation mm = 0.2
 | Jul precipitation mm = 0.0
 | Aug precipitation mm = 0.0
 | Sep precipitation mm = 0.3
 | Oct precipitation mm = 15.0
 | Nov precipitation mm = 56.9
 | Dec precipitation mm = 110.1
 | year precipitation mm = 510.1

 | unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
 | Jan precipitation days = 9.4
 | Feb precipitation days = 8.2
 | Mar precipitation days = 5.4
 | Apr precipitation days = 2.1
 | May precipitation days = 0.8
 | Jun precipitation days = 0.0
 | Jul precipitation days = 0.0
 | Aug precipitation days = 0.0
 | Sep precipitation days = 0.1
 | Oct precipitation days = 2.0
 | Nov precipitation days = 4.7
 | Dec precipitation days = 7.2
 | year precipitation days = 39.9

 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Israel/CSV/BEITJIMAL_NA.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Beit Jimal
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 10, 2024}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title=Historical population
|type = Israel
|footnote = 
|percentages = pagr
|1955|3000
|1961|6986
|1972|10111
|1983|12956
|1995|24179
|2000|44200
|2005|65900
|2015|103900
|2019|124957
|2024|170683
|2025|181986
|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= https://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 were registered in official Haredi institutions.<ref name="Haaretz1.411748">
{{cite web| url= https://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 married couples that are secular (ḥiloni) and national religious (dathi leumi) 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]]

==Local government==
Bet Shemesh has a heavy Haredi majority, the current mayor of Beit Shemesh is [[Shmuel Greenberg]]. He assumed office in March 2024 after 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 a close third at 20.6 percent. Eda Haredit boycott the elections.<ref name="Haaretz1.312923"/>

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.<ref>
[https://www.jpost.com/National-News/200-fake-IDs-seized-in-Beit-Shemesh-in-attempted-voter-fraud-329446 200 IDs seized in Beit Shemesh in suspected voter fraud] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107090934/http://www.jpost.com/National-News/200-fake-IDs-seized-in-Beit-Shemesh-in-attempted-voter-fraud-329446 |date=7 January 2014 }} ''The Jerusalem Post'', 22 October 2013
</ref>

On 10 December 2013, 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.<ref>
[https://www.jpost.com/National-News/Court-orders-new-elections-in-Beit-Shemesh-nullifies-old-results-due-to-massive-fraud-336240 Court orders new elections in Beit Shemesh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107090930/http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Court-orders-new-elections-in-Beit-Shemesh-nullifies-old-results-due-to-massive-fraud-336240 |date=7 January 2014 }} ''The Jerusalem Post'', 26 December 2013
</ref>

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. 
<ref>
{{cite web |last=Sharon |first=Jeremy |url=https://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/In-tension-gripped-Beit-Shemesh-turnout-high-in-mayoral-revote-345064 |title=Moshe Abutbul narrowly defeats Eli Cohen in repeat of Beit Shemesh mayoral election |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=2014-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312032039/http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/In-tension-gripped-Beit-Shemesh-turnout-high-in-mayoral-revote-345064 |archive-date=12 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref>

=== Heads of Local Council ===

* Shmuel Aviezer (1953–1955)
* Menahem Noyman (1955–1965)
* Oved Seri Levy (1965–1967)
* {{Ill|Amram Lok|he|עמרם לוק}} (1967–1978)
* Yehuda Ben-Zeev (1978–1989)

=== Mayors ===

* Shalom Fadida (1989–1993)
* Daniel Vaknin (1993–2008)
* [[Moshe Abutbul (politician)|Moshe Abutbul]] (2008–2018)
* [[Aliza Bloch]] (2018–2024)
* [[Shmuel Greenberg]] (2024–present)

==Education==
In 2001, there were 56 schools and 14,148 students in the city: 41 [[Primary education|elementary schools]] with 10,716 elementary school students, and 20 [[high school]]s with 3,432 high school students. 40.3% of [[Twelfth grade|12th grade]] students were entitled to a matriculation certificate.

==Economy==
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 engine]]s and jet engine components, Barzellan and others. Nearby in 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]].

==Transportation==
[[File:Staz Bet shenes1.jpg|thumb|right|Beit Shemesh Railway Station]]
Bus transportation within Beit Shemesh and most inter-city routes is operated by [https://www.tnufa-t.com/ Tnufah] and [https://www.https://afifi-group.com/category/50/Beit-Shemesh-Express Beit Shemesh Express] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819141428/http://https/ |date=19 August 2013 }} as of 2021, [https://www.shemesh.co.il/en/highlights/goodbye-egged-after-pesach-tnufa-will-take-over-all-the-routes-to-jerusalem/about replacing] the former [[Superbus (company)|Superbus]], which began service on 5 January 2009.<ref name="superbus"/> 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.

[https://www.tnufa-t.com/ Tnufa] operates 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 [https://www.shemesh.co.il/en/highlights/netiv-express-begins-to-operate-in-beit-shemesh-on-friday/about serving] all areas of 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 a century at the same location. The station has three platforms.

==Sports==
Beit Shemesh is home to numerous [[sports club]]s all under the main sport associations ([[Betar|Beitar]], [[Hapoel]], and [[Maccabi (sports)|Maccabi]]). The city has [[Association football|soccer]] teams including juniors, seniors and over-35s teams and boasted a franchise in the [[Israel Baseball League]]. The [[Bet Shemesh Blue Sox|Beit Shemesh Blue Sox]] represented Beit Shemesh and finished in first place nationally in the league's only season, though they played their games at [[Kibbutz Gezer Field|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 [[Chinese martial arts|Kung Fu]] and world [[Nunchaku]] champion (2001) Eli Ivgi was born in and lives in Beit Shemesh.

==Arab-Israeli conflict==
[[File:Naharayim memorial 9.JPG|thumb|Memorial at Naharayim]]
{{Main|Island of Peace massacre}}
Beit Shemesh has not been 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 Armed Forces|Jordanian soldier]] while on a school class trip. They were visiting the joint Israeli and Jordanian tourist resort under [[Jordan]]ian rule.<ref name="nyt">
{{cite news |title=Jordanian Soldier Kills 7 Israeli Schoolgirls |author=Serge Schmemann |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/14/world/jordanian-soldier-kills-7-israeli-schoolgirls.html?scp=cse&pagewanted=all |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 March 1997 |access-date=29 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727150019/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/14/world/jordanian-soldier-kills-7-israeli-schoolgirls.html?scp=cse&pagewanted=all |archive-date=27 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref> [[Hussein of Jordan|King Hussein]] of Jordan went to Beit Shemesh a few days after the massacre to ask forgiveness in the name of his country.<ref name="cnn"/>

==Transportation==
Bet Shemesh will be getting a much-needed facelift to its transportation infrastructure. In November 2024, the "Accelerator" project was approved at a cost of 1 billion shekels.<ref>https://www.shemesh.co.il/en/highlights/new-local-transport-plan-announced-1-billion-shekel-budget/</ref> As part of the project, bus lanes will be built, new bike paths will be paved, smart traffic lights and roundabouts will be built, and street signs and municipal signs will be upgraded. In addition, new, advanced bus stops will be built with real-time information displays and full accessibility. Work is expected to start on the project in March 2025.

The Tnufah Bus company which started service in 2022<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tnufa-t.com/ContentPage/Index/17 | title=תנופה - אשכול פרוזדור ירושלים }}</ref> and Express are the transportation carriers in Beit Shemesh. Previously Superbus and Egged also provided bus service.

== Communal tensions ==
As of 2024, Beit Shemesh is a thriving city with a mainly [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] population, as well as a [[Religious Zionism|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 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 December 2004 |title=Beit shemesh program pays Ethiopian immigrants less than minimum wage |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/beit-shemesh-program-pays-ethiopian-immigrants-less-than-minimum-wage-1.145260 |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216012224/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/beit-shemesh-program-pays-ethiopian-immigrants-less-than-minimum-wage-1.145260 |archive-date=16 December 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2011, the Association criticized the referral of Ethiopian Jews to three private pre-schools run by the mayor's wife.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 December 2011 |title=NGO report demands end to segregation of Ethiopian students |newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |url=https://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=249226 |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218030628/http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=249226 |archive-date=18 December 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

According to ''The Jerusalem Post'', women who belong to a [[Haredi burqa sect]] in Beit Shemesh were ostracized by the Haredi community.<ref name="JP96228">{{cite web|url = https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=96228|title = Beit Shemesh 'Burka' cult unveiled|author = Matthew Wagner|work= Jerusalem Post|date= 2008-03-27|accessdate=2012-01-16}}</ref> The leader of the movement, dubbed the "Taliban mother" by the Israeli press, was convicted by the Jerusalem District Court in 2009 on three counts of abuse of a minor and 25 counts of assault in aggravated circumstances, and sentenced to four years in prison. Her husband was also convicted of 10 counts of assault and three counts of abuse of a minor or helpless person, and was sentenced to six months in jail.<ref>
{{cite web|url = https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/law/1.1263609|title = The Trial of "Mother Taliban"|author = Rotem, Tamar|work = Haaretz|date = 1 June 2009|language = he|access-date = 16 January 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120619191251/http://www.haaretz.co.il/news/law/1.1263609|archive-date = 19 June 2012|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}
</ref><ref>
{{Cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/abusive-haredi-taliban-mother-gets-four-years-in-prison-1.4859 |title=Abusive Haredi 'Taliban mother' gets four years in prison |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=15 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216012228/http://www.haaretz.com/news/abusive-haredi-taliban-mother-gets-four-years-in-prison-1.4859 |archive-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref>

In 2011, conflicts erupted in Beit Shemesh between extremist [[Antireligion|anti-religious activists]] and devout [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] men, possibly members of a group known as the [[Sikrikim]],<ref name="crosscurrents">
{{cite web|title=They will come for you too|url=http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2011/12/30/they-will-come-for-you-too/|publisher=Cross Currents|date=30 December 2011|access-date=1 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108054515/http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2011/12/30/they-will-come-for-you-too/|archive-date=8 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref><ref name="forward_bs">
{{cite web|title=American enclave stands up to extremists|url=http://www.forward.com/articles/148763/?p=all|work=The Jewish Daily Forward|date=29 December 2011|access-date=1 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108202523/http://www.forward.com/articles/148763/?p=all|archive-date=8 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref><ref name="jewpress_bs">
{{cite web|title=Beit Shemesh becomes focus point over growing outrage over violent religious extremism|quote=8-year-old Na’ama Margolis, the daughter of Orthodox American immigrants, was spat on by a member of the Sikrikim|url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/beit-shemesh-becomes-focus-of-growing-outrage-over-violent-religious-extremism/2011/12/28/|publisher=The [[Jewish Press]]|date=28 December 2011|access-date=1 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609184823/http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/beit-shemesh-becomes-focus-of-growing-outrage-over-violent-religious-extremism/2011/12/28/|archive-date=9 June 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref> and other residents of the town due to opposition to maintaining gender separation at local health clinics,<ref name="Haaretz1.404544">
{{cite web| url= https://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/ultra-orthodox-extremism-is-a-reaction-to-growing-reform-in-the-community-1.404544| title= Ultra-Orthodox extremism is a reaction to growing reform in the community| work= [[Haaretz]]| author= Ettinger, Yair| date= 30 December 2011| access-date= 21 February 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120226225430/http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/ultra-orthodox-extremism-is-a-reaction-to-growing-reform-in-the-community-1.404544| archive-date= 26 February 2012| url-status= live| df= dmy-all}}
</ref> and so called ‘[[Mehadrin bus lines|mehadrin buses]]’ where men and women sit separately.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/107261/Yael-Navon-Of-Betar-Illit-Takes-On-Bus-Gender-Separation.html|title=Yael Navon of Betar Illit Takes on Bus Gender Separation|publisher=[[Yeshiva World News]]|date=31 October 2011|access-date=18 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205191606/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/107261/Yael-Navon-Of-Betar-Illit-Takes-On-Bus-Gender-Separation.html|archive-date=5 December 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

When the municipality removed a sign asking women to respect gender separation rules in a synagogue, hundreds of devout Haredim staged protests in which physical force was allegedly used against police officers and reporters.<ref>
{{cite news|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Oz|last2=Ravid|first2=Barak|last3=Nesher|first3=Talila|title=Thousands of Israelis protest gender segregation in Beit Shemesh|url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-of-israelis-protest-gender-segregation-in-beit-shemesh-1.403916|work=Haaretz|date=27 December 2011|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120114614/http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-of-israelis-protest-gender-segregation-in-beit-shemesh-1.403916|archive-date=20 January 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web|last1=Greiner|first1=Lena|last2=Yaron|first2=Gil|title=The Ultra-Orthodox in Israel. A Clash of Cultures in the Holy Land|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,806386,00.html|work=Der Spiegel|date=30 December 2011|access-date=8 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429005800/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,806386,00.html|archive-date=29 April 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref> Several placards urging segregation between men and women were put back after being removed by the police.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kahana|first=Menahem|title=Jewish gender segregation protest in Israel turns violent|url=https://nationalpost.com/holy-post/jewish-gender-segregation-protest-in-israel-turns-violent|work=National Post|date=26 December 2011|access-date=20 February 2012|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20111229201525/http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/26/jewish-gender-segregation-protest-in-israel-turns-violent/|archive-date=29 December 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

After the opening of the Orot Banot [[National Religious|national-religious]] girls' school in September 2011, situated on the border between the primarily National-Religious Sheinfeld neighborhood and the Haredi Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet, groups of devout [[Haredi Judaism|Haredim]] gathered to protest in front of the school, in protest at the lack of [[tzniut|modest dress]], allegedly calling the girls names and spitting at them when they headed to and from school. Stones hurled at a boys' school belonging to the same educational network injured a boy in the leg. Two men were arrested on suspicion of throwing eggs and tomatoes at students.<ref name="ynet evil regime">
{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4125142,00.html|title=Girls' school 'backed by evil regime'|author=Nashoni, Kobi|newspaper=Ynetnews|publisher=ynet news|date=21 September 2011|access-date=18 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228120051/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4125142,00.html|archive-date=28 December 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref> In a demonstration outside the school a female journalist was assaulted by young, allegedly Haredi, men who cursed and spat at her, and a clash with parents of girls studying at the school was broken up by the police force.<ref name="ynet evil regime"/>

In December 2011, a national public outcry was raised when a television news channel interviewed 8-year-old Na'ama Margolese, who was allegedly cursed and spat at on her way to school by devout Haredim.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/Israeli_girls_plight_highlights_Jewish_extremism.html?page=all| title= Israeli girl's plight highlights extremists| agency= Associated Press | access-date=29 December 2011}}</ref>
''[[The Jewish Daily Forward]]'' reported that the issue is really a property dispute over ownership of the school building.<ref name="Forward2">
{{cite news|title=Letter From Beit Shemesh: American Enclave Stands Up to Extremists|author=Kaplan Sommer, Allison|url=http://forward.com/articles/148763/|newspaper=The Jewish Daily Forward|date=29 December 2011|access-date=30 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107200600/http://www.forward.com/articles/148763/|archive-date=7 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref> Some Haredi women distributed flowers to the girls of Orot Banot school, telling them "sister to sister" that they were beautiful.<ref name="GuardianOct2001">
{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/oct/31/bet-shemesh-haredi-jews-school?newsfeed=true| title=The battle of Bet Shemesh| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]| author=Sherwood, Harriet| date=31 October 2011| access-date=18 December 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312122527/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/oct/31/bet-shemesh-haredi-jews-school?newsfeed=true| archive-date=12 March 2016| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}
</ref> On 27 December 2011, a protest against extremism near the Orot Banot school drew 10,000 people.<ref>
{{cite web |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/beit-shemesh-rally-attracts-thousands-to-protest-extremism-1.403981 |date=28 December 2011 |title=Beit Shemesh rally attracts thousands to protest extremism |author1=Oz Rosenberg |author2=Nir Hasson |author3=Revital Blumenfeld |author4=Barak Ravid |author5=Talila Nesher |work=Haaretz |access-date=29 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228170955/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/beit-shemesh-rally-attracts-thousands-to-protest-extremism-1.403981 |archive-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web| url=https://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=251350| date=28 December 2011| title=Beit Shemesh rally 'a success' say protest leaders| author=Sharon, Jeremy| work=The Jerusalem Post| access-date=1 January 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101024210/http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=251350| archive-date=1 January 2012| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}
</ref> After the incidents in Beit Shemesh were reported in foreign press, the US State Department updated its Jerusalem travel advisory advising visitors to "dress appropriately" when visiting ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, or to avoid them entirely.<ref>
{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/us-tourists-to-israel-advised-to-dress-modestly/2012/02/06/gIQAVUfKuQ_story.html| newspaper=The Washington Post| title=U.S. tourists to Israel advised to dress modestly| author=Chabin, Michele| date=6 February 2012| access-date=20 February 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313084344/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/us-tourists-to-israel-advised-to-dress-modestly/2012/02/06/gIQAVUfKuQ_story.html| archive-date=13 March 2016| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}
</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Israel}}
Beit Shemesh is [[Sister City|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=אודות המחלקה|url=https://www.betshemesh.muni.il/7/|website=betshemesh.muni.il|publisher=Beit Shemesh|language=he|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Cocoa, Florida]], United States
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Hangzhou]], China
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Nordhausen, Thuringia|Nordhausen]], Germany
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nottingham]], England, United Kingdom
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ramapo, New York]], United States
*{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Split, Croatia|Split]], Croatia
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jersey City, New Jersey]], United States<ref>[https://www.jns.org/jersey-city-and-beit-shemesh-sign-sister-cities-agreement/ "Jersey City and Beit Shemesh sign sister cities agreement"], [[Jewish News Syndicate]], November 14, 2022. Accessed November 18, 2022. "City, New Jersey, and Israel’s Beit Shemesh have signed a sister city agreement, aiming for economic cooperation and partnerships in urban planning and workforce development."</ref>

In the [[Partnership 2gether]] program of the [[Jewish Agency for Israel]], Beit Shemesh and the [[Mateh Yehuda Regional Council]] are linked to South Africa and Washington, D.C.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Israel/Partnerships/Regions/Beitshemesh|title=Jewish Agency for Israel: Beit Shemesh – Mateh Yehuda – Washington – South Africa|access-date=18 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107042036/http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Israel/Partnerships/Regions/Beitshemesh/|archive-date=7 January 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref>

After ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported in October 2011 that [[Montgomery County, Maryland]] was considering a partnership with Beit Shemesh,<ref>
{{cite news|last=Lazo|first=Luz|title=Montgomery sister city agreement strengthens ties to Salvadoran city|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/montgomery-sister-city-agreement-strengthens-ties-to-salvadoran-city/2011/09/19/gIQA9kAicL_story.html|date=11 October 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=29 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021111241/http://www.washingtonpost.com/montgomery-sister-city-agreement-strengthens-ties-to-salvadoran-city/2011/09/19/gIQA9kAicL_story.html|archive-date=21 October 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref> a local coalition, Human Rights Matter!, objected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mdhumanrightsmatter.org/ |title=Website Human Rights Matter! |publisher=MdHumanRightsMatter.org |access-date=2013-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426081408/http://www.mdhumanrightsmatter.org/|archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> The campaign was supported by the [[Mossawa Center]], an organization that defines its goal as the promotion of equality for the Arab minority in Israel but which has been criticized for its rejection of Israel as a Jewish state and its foreign funding from the [[European Commission]], [[George Soros]]'s [[Open Society Institute]] and the [[New Israel Fund]], among others,<ref name=ngomonitor>
{{cite web|title=Mossawa|url=http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/mossawa|publisher=[[NGO Monitor]]|date=21 August 2014|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525041405/http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/mossawa|archive-date=25 May 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref> as well as [[Nobel Peace Prize]] laureate [[Mairead Maguire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mdhumanrightsmatter.org/Endorsers.html |title=Website Human Rights Matter! Endorsers |publisher=MdHumanRightsMatter.org |access-date=2013-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426081430/http://www.mdhumanrightsmatter.org/Endorsers.html|archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Nissim Black]] (born 1986), American-Israeli [[rapper]] and [[Hip hop production|producer]]<ref>Zeitlin, Alan. [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/israeli-rapper-nissim-black-breaks-into-the-liquor-business-667956 "Israeli rapper Nissim Black breaks into the liquor business"],''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', May 12, 2021. Accessed November 18, 2022. "The 34-year-old performer, who lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, said by phone he wanted to make sure the product was made in Israel."</ref>
* [[Nili Block]] (born 1995), world champion kickboxer and [[Muay Thai]] fighter<ref>Ofer, Ben. [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4747590,00.html "From religious school to world kickboxing champion"], [[Ynet]], January 2, 2016. Accessed November 18, 2012. "Block was born in Baltimore in the US, the last out of six siblings. When she was two, the family made aliyah to Israel. They settled down in Beit Shemesh, where Block said she was a 'tomboy and very sporty.'"</ref>
* [[Jamie Geller]] (born 1978), American-born food writer, celebrity chef, television producer and businesswoman
* [[Ari Goldwag]] (born 1979), singer, songwriter, composer, and music producer
* [[Gael Grunewald]] (born 1964), [[World Zionist Organization]] executive
* [[Hezekiah]] (born 739 BCE), King of Judah<ref>
{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-what-s-more-important-the-biblical-king-hezekiah-or-expanding-route-38-1.6763609|title=What's More Important, the Biblical King Hezekiah or Expanding Route 38?|last=Gilad|first=Moshe|date=19 December 2018|website=haaretz.com|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102172116/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-what-s-more-important-the-biblical-king-hezekiah-or-expanding-route-38-1.6763609|archive-date=2 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref>
* [[Avraham Jacobovitz]], founder of [https://web.archive.org/web/20141217174055/http://machonltorah.org/ Machon L'Torah] and Jewish Awareness America (JAAM)
* [[Yosef Karduner]] (born 1969), singer, songwriter, and composer.
* [[Shmuel Kozokin]] (born 1987), footballer
* [[Nachman Seltzer]] (born 1978), author and musician
* [[Natan Slifkin]] (born 1975), "Zoo Rabbi", director of the Biblical Museum of Natural History and author on the topics of zoology and science
* [[Eli Stefansky]], [[Daf Yomi|daf yomi]] [[maggid shiur]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sandler |first1=Eliezer |title=Facing 100 Red Chaim Kanievskys -- Hagaon Harav Eli Stefansky |url=https://www.boropark24.com/news/facing-100-reb-chaim-kanievskys-hagaon-harav-eli-stefansky |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Boro Park 24 |date=2022-12-14}}</ref><ref name="Ami">{{cite news |last1=Frankfurter |first1=Yitzchok |title=A Revolution in Torah // A spirited conversation with Reb Eli Stefansky |url=https://amimagazine.org/2022/07/27/a-revolution-in-torah/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=[[Ami Magazine]] |date=2022-07-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Teichler |first1=Shmuel |title=Largest Gemara Shiur Ever? Reb Eli Stefansky To Deliver Rare Series Of Live Shiurim In The U.S. To Begin Maseches Gittin |url=https://www.5tjt.com/largest-gemara-shiur-ever-reb-eli-stefansky-to-deliver-rare-series-of-live-shiurim-in-the-u-s-to-begin-maseches-gittin/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=[[Five Towns Jewish Times]] |date=2023-05-12}}</ref>

==References==
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{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<!--<ref name="cbs populations">
{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2010/table3.pdf|publisher=[[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]]|title=Table 3 – Population of Localities Numbering Above 2,000 Residents and Other Rural Population|date=2010-06-30|access-date=30 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121034400/http://cbs.gov.il/population/new_2010/table3.pdf|archive-date=21 November 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
</ref>-->

<ref name="cnn">
[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9703/16/israel.hussein/index.html "With condolence visit to Israel, King Hussein spurs talks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424051923/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9703/16/israel.hussein/index.html |date=24 April 2009 }}, ''[[CNN]]'', 16 March 1997. Retrieved 22 July 2007. "King Hussein of Jordan knelt in mourning Sunday with the families of seven Israeli schoolgirls gunned down last week by a Jordanian soldier, saying they were all 'members of one family.'"
</ref>

<ref name="superbus">{{Cite web |url=https://www.tapuz.co.il/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230109/http://www.tapuz.co.il/Forums2008/Popups/ShowAttach.aspx?file=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.timg.co.il%2Fforums%2F1_123724512.jpg&msgid=123724512  |url-status=dead |title=תפוז - פורומים ותכנים|archive-date=3 March 2016|website=תפוז פורומים}}</ref>
}}

<!--<ref name="ettinger">{{cite news|last=Ettinger|first=Yair|title=Haredi dominance of Beit Shemesh 'is only matter of time'|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|access-date=9 February 2008|date=4 December 2007|author=Ettinger, Yair|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/930995.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080106164502/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/930995.html| archive-date= 6 January 2008 |url-status= live}}</ref> -->

==External links==
{{Commons category|Beit Shemesh}}
*[http://betshemesh.muni.il/ Beit Shemesh Municipality]
*[http://www.govisitisrael.com/articlenav.php?id=96 Places To Visit in Beit Shemesh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121144512/http://www.govisitisrael.com/articlenav.php?id=96 |date=21 January 2011 }}
* Lilia Kirshenbaum, Tsagai Asamain and Avi Perets, [http://www.iaa-conservation.org.il/Projects_Item_eng.asp?subject_id=10&site_id=20&id=40 Bet Shemesh-Machsia, Khirbet el-Suyyagh: Relocation of an olive oil press], [http://www.antiquities.org.il/home_eng.asp Israel Antiquities Authority Site] - [https://web.archive.org/web/20140626044723/http://iaa-conservation.org.il/index_eng.asp Conservation Department]

{{Ark of the Covenant}}
{{Jerusalem District}}
{{Largest Israeli cities}}
{{Sites of the Israelite Settlement}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Beit Shemesh| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Israel]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible cities]]
[[Category:Tells (archaeology)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age sites in Israel]]
[[Category:Iron Age sites in Israel]]
[[Category:Canaanite cities]]
[[Category:Levitical cities]]
[[Category:Ancient Jewish settlements of Judaea]]
[[Category:Biblical geography]]
[[Category:Orthodox Jewish communities]]
[[Category:Development towns]]
[[Category:Cities in Jerusalem District]]