Guides

Guides to life in Ramat Beit Shemesh

Written for people who are new here, checked against official sources, with the common questions answered at the end of each guide.

Settling inYour first week in RBS: what to do, in what orderThe first-week checklist for new olim in Ramat Beit Shemesh: bank, Misrad HaKlita, kupat cholim, arnona discount, Rav-Kav and the community lists.3 min read
NeighbourhoodsRBS neighbourhoods compared: A, B, Gimmel, Daled, Hey and old Beit ShemeshHow the parts of Ramat Beit Shemesh and Beit Shemesh differ, from Anglo-heavy RBS A and Sheinfeld to the newer Gimmel, Daled and Neve Shamir.2 min read
Schools & ganSchools and gans in Beit Shemesh: registration, zones and what olim needHow municipal gan and school registration works in Beit Shemesh (5787 dates, age bands, mamad zones, appeals), what new residents and olim must bring, costs, tzaharon and daycare.4 min read
HealthHealth funds, doctors and urgent care in RBSKupat cholim in Beit Shemesh, switching funds as a new oleh, where the nearest hospitals are, and urgent care on weekdays and Shabbat.2 min read
Getting aroundGetting around from RBS: buses, the train and Rav-KavTnufa's Jerusalem lines (600, 61x and more), Beit Shemesh Express city lines and Bnei Brak buses, lines to Tel Aviv, Modiin Illit, Beitar Illit and Efrat, why the train goes to Tel Aviv but not Jerusalem, and where to get a Rav-Kav.2 min read
Settling inShopping and kosher food in RBS and Beit ShemeshThe malls, supermarkets and eateries newcomers use in RBS and Beit Shemesh, and how to read the many different hechshers.2 min read
Jewish lifeShabbat in RBS: candle lighting, the eruv, minyanim and Shabbat clinicsThe two candle-lighting customs in Beit Shemesh, where to check the eruv, finding a minyan, and what is open on Friday night and Shabbat.2 min read
HousingRenting and buying in RBS: prices, purchase tax and the arnona catchIndicative rents and prices in Beit Shemesh, the olim purchase-tax brackets, where listings are posted, and registering your lease for arnona.2 min read
Where to stayWhere to stay near Beit ShemeshHotels in the Jerusalem hills, a KKL field centre and zimmers in the moshavim right next to Beit Shemesh, from the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council's listings, with kashrut and Shabbat notes.2 min read
Holidays hereHolidays in Beit Shemesh: what's on locallyLocal candle-lighting customs, Sukkot events, Chanukah tours at the Police Heritage Center, the spring lupins on Tel Socho and holiday closures.2 min read