"Making aliyah was one of the hardest decisions in our life – to leave the comforts of home and our close friends, and to start a new life in a new community. But the minute we found Beis Tefillah, we knew we had made the right decision"

Ari Rosenstein, Los Angeles, CA
Aliyah: May, 2002

Many communities in Israel have an infrastructure in place that serves their constituencies well. However, English- speaking olim often find it difficult to feel at home within the existing Israeli communities. Moreover, olim find that shuls in Eretz Yisrael do not always fully serve their religious and communal needs. They seek a shul and beis medrash that will be the foundation of the community, run educational programming for children as well as adults, and be the wellspring of community chesed projects. In short, English-speaking olim are looking to re-create the community atmosphere of their native lands and fulfill their dreams of aliyah.

Ramat Bet Shemesh is the fastest-growing community in Eretz Yisrael. In its nascent years (1999), a new and vibrant shul and beis medrash was founded. Located in a covered parking lot, Beis Tefillah soon became a focal point for religious growth and community activities in the kehila.

Following immense effort by its founders, Beis Tefillah rapidly developed into a shul and beis medrash that now boasts over 75 families in its membership. Beis Tefillah's varied makeup includes participants whose native tongue is Hebrew, English, French, Spanish and Russian. These mechanchim, doctors, lawyers, computer programmers and other professionals, with the help of their recently-hired, energetic Rabbi, Rav Malinowitz, have made Beis Tefillah the foundation of an inspiring community. Aside from the day-to-day needs that a shul must provide, Beis Tefillah has created numerous programs to reach its members:

1. Regular shiurim
2. Melava Malkas
3. Tiyulim
4. A weekly Shabbos shiur for women,
5. A vibrant beis medrash program with nightly learning.

"Our shul has turned into the place which successfully acclimates new olim."

Sharon Lerner, Brooklyn, New York
Aliyah: 1994

As Beis Tefillah continues to have increased participation in its programs and membership, the future is exciting and challenging. We have long-outgrown the tight, temporary structure that has served as the centerpiece for growth in Ramat Bet Shemesh. In order to accomplish our goals, we need a real structure to serve as the basis for the community. Beis Tefillah is now ready to take the next step in making English-speaking olim, and all mispallelim and users of our beis medrash/beis k'nesses, feel at home. Baruch HaShem, we have now been granted land on which to build a shul.

The features of the new facility will include: