Built in the 1950s, Beit Shemesh initially drew new immigrants from Europe and the Middle East. Six decades later, they were joined by Olim from the United States, Canada, and France, as well as native Israelis in search of a suburban, down to earth, family oriented lifestyle.
Today, most residents define themselves as modern-Orthodox, Dati Leumi, Chardal, “Yeshivish” or Haredi.
The neighborhoods of Ramat Beit Shemesh, in the southern part of the city, have been built in stages. According to the immigrant organization Nefesh B’Nefesh, Ramat Beit Shemesh is the “number one destination for frum families” immigrating to Israel.
“With its plethora of welcoming shuls, Anglo-friendly schools, and accepting communities, Ramat Beit Shemesh has completely revolutionized the concept of Aliyah for frum families. Here, families can integrate at their own pace without the pressure to ‘jump right into’ Israeli society. They are embraced by a warm, inviting, and supportive environment of fellow Olim who have previously undergone a similar process,” Nefesh B’Nefesh says.
Satisfied Residents Share Their Experiences
Mordechai and Yocheved Katz from The United States, wish to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the Nativ company and the execution company Betador for their wonderful apartment and the purchase experience. “Throughout the entire process, we were in good hands – from the beginning until delivery. The timeline was maintained almost completely, and the apartment was prepared exactly according to expectations and even beyond. The building quality is very high, with attention to small details and genuine investment in creating a comfortable, beautiful, and high-quality living environment. It was evident that Nativ and Betador operated in full partnership, with a responsible and professional approach, and with a sincere commitment to the buyers’ welfare. The combination of knowledge, experience, and personal attention created an exceptional living experience, and we sincerely thank them for that. We warmly recommend Nativ to anyone looking for a high-quality home and uncompromising service.”
The Neve Shamir Community
Nativ Neve Shamir, a new residential project designed with religious English-speaking families in mind, is underway in the new Neve Shamir (Ramat Beit Shemesh Hey) suburb of Beit Shemesh.
Spearheaded by the Nativ Group, the project features 132 high-end apartments. The first 60 units will be ready in a year. The second phase of the community will be completed in three years.
Neve Shamir broke ground in 2019 and welcomed its first residents in 2022. It has become popular with religious American families seeking modern, spacious apartments built to a high standard. It is drawing both new immigrants searching for a soft landing in a community where both English and Hebrew are spoken, and veteran Olim who want to upgrade their lifestyle.
Neve Shamir was planned as a culturally and religiously diverse neighborhood that fosters a sense of belonging. In addition to synagogues, mikvehs and community centers, the neighborhood offers educational facilities, shopping areas and recreational spaces, which can be used year-round thanks to Beit Shemesh’s moderate climate.
The Nativ Neve Shamir Residential Project – Premium Living
The project offers an unusually wide assortment of residences: From two to six bedroom apartments, including garden apartments, duplexes and penthouses.
Designed to Western standards, the buildings have elegant lobbies, intercom systems and Shabbat elevators. The apartments feature airy open layouts with upgraded kitchens (two sinks, Caesarstone countertops), large dining areas, gardens or terraces, master bedrooms, private storage rooms, in-home shelters, three-phase electricity and built-in Shabbat timers. Buyers can choose from a variety of floor tiles measuring 80-by-80 cm or 1 meter-by-1 meter. Abundant windows maximize natural light.
The largest duplex is 170 square meters (1,830 sq feet), while penthouses range from 160-198 square meters (1,722-2,131 sq. feet), with huge sukkah balconies that afford panoramic views.
Second-phase buyers have the option to make some changes in the floor plans, subject to certain conditions, in consultation with the project’s interior designer.
An Easy Commute
Located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in the heart of Israel’s center, Beit Shemesh is home to about 175,000 people. It is approximately 19 miles (30 km) from Jerusalem and 30 miles (49 km) from Tel Aviv.
Neve Shamir is close to major highways and public transportation, making it easy to commute to much of the country.
A Healthy Lifestyle
The Nativ Neve Shamir project sits across the street from the Yarmut recreational and archaeological park, which includes expansive green spaces, picnic areas, playgrounds and biking and walking paths. Located within the eruv, the park is also accessible on Shabbat and holidays.
A country club offering a half-sized Olympic pool, gym, tennis courts and café is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026, and Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center will open a full-fledged hospital in Beit Shemesh within the next few years.
Another draw is the neighborhood’s appreciation for family activities both in Neve Shamir and Ramat Beit Shemesh as a whole.
“Religious Americans lead a very active lifestyle,” said Erez Dinar, Division Manager and Partner at Eldar Group. “They like cultural activities, to be outside and to play sports, and Neve Shamir offers both. The municipality recognizes the needs of both English- and Hebrew speakers,” in everything from government services to after-school activities.
The Nativ Group – Building Communities Across Israel
Nativ is constantly utilizing the latest building materials to ensure the highest standard of comfort and structural integrity. Homes built by Nativ and purchased “on paper” prior to or during the construction often double in value once the project is completed, according to Simcha Greidinger, who founded the Nativ Group in 1990.
The Nativ Group has built thousands of homes across Israel, including 10 residential projects in various parts of Beit Shemesh. Nativ Neve Shamir is the company’s first project in Ramat Beit Shemesh Hey.
“Over the years we have built communities in Eilat, Ma’aleh Adumim, Karmiel, in the Krayot and elsewhere. At the same time, we have been gravitating toward the center of the country, especially since we identified Beit Shemesh as a place with great potential, more than 20 years ago. In other, more developed areas, it is hard to develop because of the existing homes and infrastructure,” Greidinger said. “In Beit Shemesh there is room to grow.”
In Neve Shamir and the older parts of Beit Shemesh, Greidinger said, Nativ’s projects have enabled both well-to-do buyers and those struggling to buy an apartment in an established religious neighborhood to find a modern, well-built home that fits their needs. Its multi-stage urban renewal project in old Beit Shemesh will turn dilapidated buildings into modern, safe, earthquake-resistant structures.
With so many housing options, longtime immigrants can upscale or downscale as their families expand or older children go out on their own. Many longtime residents of Jerusalem and other Beit Shemesh neighborhoods are moving to Neve Shamir to live near their adult children, Greidinger noted.
“We focus on quality and creating something for everyone. When we hand a family the key to their home, we don’t say ‘Bye.’ In the event of a problem, we’re responsive.”
Wherever the company is developing a community, “our mission is to help settle and develop the Land of Israel.”