Between the neighbourhood shopping centres in RBS and the big malls on Yigal Alon, most of what a family needs is close by. Here's the lie of the land.
The big malls on Yigal Alon
- BIG Fashion Beit Shemesh, Yigal Alon 3: about 100 stores over two floors and around 500 free parking spaces. Open Sunday to Thursday 10:00-22:00, Friday 9:00-14:30, and on Motzei Shabbat from 30 minutes after Shabbat until 22:30 (BIG Centers (opens in a new tab)).
- The neighbouring BIG Beit Shemesh centre is at Yigal Alon 1. Terem urgent care and a Clalit specialist centre are in the same building.
- Shaar Ha'ir is at Yigal Alon 6 (community information (opens in a new tab)).
Shopping centres in RBS
A community site lists three shopping centres: HaShdera Mall (Menachem Porush 1), Park Center (Nachal Dolev 19) and Shaar Ha'ir (Yigal Alon 6) (community information (opens in a new tab)). Many RBS A eateries cluster around the RBS A shopping centre on Nachal Zohar, Menachem Porush (HaRova / HaShdera) and Park Center (see the listings for Pinat HaSova, Kraus Jewish Deli and Holy Bagel).
Supermarkets
The directory lists the big supermarkets with their sources: Rami Levy (Yigal Alon and RBS A), Osher Ad (Naimi area), Shufersal Deal (HaAliya), Carrefour (BIG), and the local chains Yesh Chesed and Best Market in RBS A. Browse groceries. Some addresses conflict between sources, so check before a special trip.
Reading the hechsher
Hechshers vary a lot between RBS eateries. Badatz Eida Chareidit, Rabbanut Beit Shemesh Mehadrin, Harav Rubin, Rav Machpud (Badatz Yoreh De'ah) and Rav Landau all appear. Each listing names the hechsher only where a source states it, and the directory's kosher filter uses exactly that wording. If your family keeps a specific standard, check the certificate on the wall, because certificates change.
Swaps, giveaways and tips
The "Where to Buy? Bet Shemesh" and "Free in Beit Shemesh" WhatsApp groups are listed on the M3 neighbourhood directory (m3rbs.com (opens in a new tab)).