Rivka Shemaria, Bet El

We are in our mid-forties and have b'li ayin hara 8 children aged 4-17. We made aliya from England 2 years ago straight to Bet El. Yaakov, originally from LA, served as a rabbi in Leeds, England and now owns an internet book business based in Bet El. As for me, Rivka, I work at Arutz Sheva.

Bet El

Bet El is currently celebrating 27 years since its founding and now numbers aprox. 800 families. We are situated just north of Jerusalem. The yishuv is constantly expanding and there are houses and apartments both for sale and rental, as well as caravans for cheap housing for new arrivals. The yishuv consists of 2 neighbourhoods and is made up of people from across the dati leumi spectrum. Facilities: schools for all ages, including a post-high school yeshiva, post office, cash machine, grocery stores, hardware store, book stores, butcher, fruit & vegetable store & a clothing store. Buses run every hour to Jerusalem. There are a variety of shuls, daily shiurim and various cultural events.

Rivka Shemaria
English & Internet Dept.
Arutz Sheva Israel National Radio

Security

Baruch Hashem, Bet El has gone through these turbulent times without damage, thanks to direct, quick access to Jerusalem. The Security Department took no chances and purchased the latest digital equipment for early detection and "treatment", if need should arise. It employs security guards, in addition to the security measures provided by the Army.

Employment

The majority of residents work in Jerusalem, Bet El and neighboring communities. Frequent, convenient bus service as well as rides with neighbors (a local institution) makes commuting fairly easy.

Housing

Reasonably priced apartments and houses of 2 1/2 rooms and up are available for both rent and purchase.

Education

Since close to 50% of Bet El citizens are children and teenagers, education is our first priority. Bet El offers a wide range of educational possibilities catering to various tastes and needs: 2 Daycare Centers for babies, 15 kindergartens, Boys elementary school, 2 Boys JH schools, Girls' elementary and JH school, Talmud Torah, 2 Ulpanot, 2 Yeshiva High Schools, Yeshiva Gvoha, and a Teachers' College.

In addition, most children are involved in after school activities such as youth groups, play center, petting zoo, sports, classes and workshops.

Children with special needs benefit from therapy services in the local Center for Child Development.

Many prominent Rabbanim and college lectures have settled in Bet El. They deliver weekly lectures on a variety of subjects: Daf Yomi (morning and night), evening Kollel, Shabbat shiurim for adults and children, and so on.

Culture and Recreation

Bet El Culture Department works overtime in order to provide activities for all residents, young and old: concerts, plays, trips, workshops, and parties. Sports enthusiasts will find a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, aerobics and martial arts classes and more.

Services

Bet El offers practically all the services needed in day to day life: 4 medical clinics, 2 groceries, a greengrocer and natural products shop, stores selling books, clothing, house wares, and furniture, a car mechanic, a beautician, and a gas station among others.