Imagine moving to a new place and having a neighbor not only offer to lend you anything you might need in the initial days or weeks in your new home, but give you a set of house keys and invite you to use their laundry machine, kitchen and other amenities because they are going on vacation? Or to stop off at a store and to have a complete stranger offer you a ride to anywhere you might need to go? These two kind gestures were offered Bracha and Chaim Farro who arrived in Ramat Beit Shemesh in August as the city’s new official Chabad sluchim (emissaries).
The relaxed pace of life, the familiarity and ease were a change from the bustling metropolis of Manchester, England where the Farros were last involved in shlichus. Bracha Farro commented on the wide range of Jews represented in Ramat Beit Shemesh, an area that is quickly becoming the area of choice for Israel’s new immigrants from around the world. Although the number of English-speaking immigrants is high, Jews from Latin America, France and Russia are also represented. What impresses Bracha Farro is that people from vastly different backgrounds quickly become a “family of Olim (immigrants)” and are at each other’s aid during the challenging transition from life abroad to settling, working and even shopping in the Holy Land.
Ramat Beit Shemesh has a recently-earned reputation as a growing religious
neighborhood, as well as an exciting place for olim. The Chabad presence there is vital and expanding with three Chabad shuls and a budding school system with 6 ganim and a talmud Torah for boys and a school for girls. Young couples are pleased to move to the area knowing they can send their children to the local schools for Chabad chinuch and not have to put them on a bus early in the morning for a long journey to other neighborhoods. The principal, Dovid Dahan, used to manage the Gilo school system, and brings his rich experience to guide and educate Ramat Beit Shemesh’s children.
The Farros are pleased with the enthusiasm and eager involvement of the local Chabad community in various activities and events, such as the Yud Tes Kislev Shabbaton that attracted 500 people. In addition to Rosh Chodesh farbrengans and lectures, Bracha Farro gives young women support and guidance in their Shabbat prayers. “Everyone here is like family in spite of their diverse backgrounds,” she observes.
Miriam Metzinger, miriammetz@gmail.com
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we are lubavichers from vancouver bc, canada – and are considering making aliya – looking for a anglo chabad commuity with schools ( we have 4 kids under 6) – we are plannign a pilot trip in a few weeks and would love to connect with people in the community ( bet/ramat bet shemesh) this was a very inspirng article – – woudl love to hear from you as we’ll be coming to israel soon – and i hear the community there is very nice – any help woudl be greatly appeciated – i can be reached at ari@relaxus.com or 604 562 7129 thanks
ari