'''Rechovot''' (Hebrew: ####), officially spelled '''Rehovot''', is a city in the Central District of Israel, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Tel Aviv.

[https://chatam.org/ Beit Chatam] is the local ''frum'' Yeshivah-oriented community.

==History==
Kehilas Chatam was founded in 1981 by a group of inspired families looking to grow in Torah learning and ''avodas HaShem''. The founders felt that Rechovot’s large and growing English-speaking community was in need of Torah advancement. What started off as a few organized ''shiurim'' has now developed into a unique ''kehillah'' under the leadership of Rav Dovid Stein, ''shlita''. It is now a full fledged ''kehillah'' of Anglo families, complete with assistant ''rav'', Rav Yosef Ashenberg, and thriving shul committees.

==Population==
Residents are a mix of religious and non-religious with a long standing tradition of getting along.

Many of the Anglos looking for a ''frum'' community become involved in the Chatam community, which is a Yeshiva-oriented community with a diverse group of members.

Unlike in many Chareidi cities and towns, Rechovot, due to the many integrated neighborhoods, does not close its streets on Shabbos. Nevertheless as Friday afternoon comes, the streets quiet down and becomes almost deserted as people are busy getting ready for Shabbos. Stores are all closed on Friday afternoon as well.

==Rabbonim==
Rav David Stein, Senior Rabbi of Chatam, has a unique background, one which allows him to connect to all Yidden. In the US, he learned in Yeshiva University and under HaRav HaGaon Rav Abba Berman ZT'L. Upon arriving in E"Y, he continued his learning in Kerem B’Yavne and Charedi ''kollelim''. These diverse batei midrashim gave him a unique understanding of Yiddishkeit from multiple perspectives. Rav Stein immigrated in 1978 with the dream of combining the warmth and devotion to Torah learning and scrupulous ''kiyum hamitzvos'' of the Charedi world with the ''yashrus'' and self-sufficiency of the Dati Leumi world.

Rav Yosef Ashenberg, Assistant Rabbi, spent two years in Yeshivas Ner Yisrael of Baltimore and then over eight years in the Mir, followed by four more years in Rav Aryeh Colton's kollel (Ateres Elimelech), covering Ribbis and Shabbos. Prior to coming to Rehovot, Rav Ashenberg was an active member of Rav Yitzchak Berkovits's ''kehillah'' in Sanhedria Murchevet, receiving ''smicha'' in Yorah Yorah, Maaros, and HaDamim. He continues regular ''shimush'' by Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, alllowing our wonderful kehilla to have a close connection with one of the Torah leaders of our generation. Rav Ashenberg has been ''zoche'' to have relationships with many Torah giants including: Rav Refael Shmuelvitz, Rav Peretz Tarshish, Rav Dovid Potash, Rav Mattis Deutsch, Rav Moshe Shapiro, and Rav Usher Weiss. He has written for Partners in Torah and, while living in Givat Zev, gave regular ''chaburos'' in Hilchos Shabbos. Having taught a plethora of ''chassanim'', Rav Ashenberg specializes in keeping them sane after marriage.

==Shuls==
Beit Chatam (Chug LeTorah U'LeMachshava) is a Yeshiva-oriented shul and community with a large number of English speakers, though many ''shiurim'' are give in Hebrew. It is known for its warm welcome and inclusiveness to many types of ''frum'' people.

There is also a shul with a religious-Zionist orientation called the Berman shul, with about 85% Anglo immigrants.

==Chinuch==
There is a range of many Torah institutions for children, ranging from classic Chareidi ''chadorim'', to Dati Mamlachti day schools.

Talmud Torah Etz Chaim, founded in 1988, is a Chareidi ''cheider'' that offers a strong ''limudei kodesh'' program together with a serious program of secular studies. The ''cheider'' emphasizes the love of learning Torah and how to be a ''mentch''. There are two parallel classes (25-30 kids) a grade and it keeps growing every year. Eitz Chaim is funded by the government and tuition is 200 NIS a month.

Bnos Eitz Chaim is a girls school that was opened in 2018 catering to the Chatam ''kehillah''. The principal, Mrs. Sara Rina Shechter, lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh and worked for many years in a school there, Magen Avot, where there are many immigrants. Bnos Eitz Chaim is under the Ministry of Education (Mamlachti Chareidi) and has a very high standard of both ''kodesh'' and general subjects. Where in the typical Israeli school system, children start learning English in third at fourth grade, here they begin in second grade. There are currently three classes and one special education class, and it keeps growing every year. The school has a spiritual, positive atmosphere and the teachers emphasize the importance of ''derech eretz'' and teach emotional, social, and life skills.

==Groups & Programs==
Beit Chatam has lectures and ''shiurim'' in English for men and women. There is also an emphasis on activities and ''shiurim'' for seniors and kids ranging from preschool to post high school.

Catering to the men, there are possibilities of ''kollelim'' on many levels. To name a few are Bar Shaul, Yeshivas Moreh HaTalmud, or rebbe Brenners kollel. Daily Daf Yomi ''shiurim'' are given by Rav Stein, there are ''halachah'' ''shiurim'', father/son learning and many more exciting programs throughout the year.

The women have a Sisterhood that has weekly ''parsha'', ''halachah'', and Tehillim ''shiurim'', as well as occasional guest speakers from around the country. The annual Ladies Purim and Chanukah celebrations are social outings not to be missed.

As an extremely close knit community, Chatam goes out of their way to welcome and include the entire ''kehillah'', be it men, women, and families as a whole. There are continuous events and programs such as an annual Melave Malka, community outings, and community Motzei Shabbos lecture series which enables members to get to know each other, reconnect, and learn something along the way.

Chatam's extensive library contains hundreds of English books and CDs by noted authors and lecturers. It has the latest titles on history, biography, Jewish thought, ''hashkafah'', ''halachah'', self-help and growth, holidays, Torah commentaries, childrens books, and of course, lots of light reading and novels.

==Geography & Climate==
Rechovot is a beautiful city with plenty of greenery and large trees.

==Housing==
There are mainly apartment buildings. Prices to purchase an apartment range from a four bedroom costing about 1.8 million NIS, to a house that can be 3.5 million NIS.

==Transportation==
Practically every place in Rechovot is reachable by foot. Some places will require the use of a car, but it is not a necessity.

There are various bus services connecting Rechovot to other major cities in the area. Rechovot’s central bus station can be accessed directly from the shopping mall. Most bus lines have additional pick up stops along Herzl street (the main street).

Tel Aviv is 25-45 minutes away by car depending on traffic.

==Employment==
From the time it was founded in 1890, Rechovot has attracted attention from abroad. The world famous Weizmann Institute of Science, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment (HUJI) and assorted hi-tech and biotech businesses define the character of this modern city. Along with the two academic institutes in Rechovot, other universities such as Bar-Ilan and Tel Aviv are within an easy commute making Rechovot a true University town.

The ongoing influx of visiting academics from abroad helps infuse the city with a truly international flavor.

It is a community composed of many professions.

An advantage of living in Rechovot is the location being in the southern tip of the ''merkaz'' (center), with its many opportunities.

==Shopping==
Herzl is the main street of the city. There are lots of stores and a spectacular, American style, shopping mall with hundreds of stores. It also houses the municipal offices, the Ministry of Transportation as well as the central bus station.

Rechovot also has many choices for small neighborhood groceries, hardware stores, clothing stores, etc.

==Medical Services==
Kaplan Medical Center is a hospital in Rechovot. It is owned and operated by Clalit Health Services and is affiliated with Hadassah, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In addition, Rechovot also has the following health clinics; Meuhedet, Clalit, and Macabi.

==Community Codes and Standards==

==Absorption==
Rechovot has a reputation for welcoming immigrants.

==Why Rechovot?==

==Contacts==
[https://chatam.org/contact-us/ Beit Chatam]

2020-07-12T15:56:28Z

Yberman613: Created page with "Agan HaAyalot, also known as Giv'at Ze'ev HaChadashah, is located in the Giv'at Ze'ev municipal district. * (Hebrew: גִּבְעַת זְאֵב) In 2004, the Givat Zev H..."

Agan HaAyalot, also known as Giv'at Ze'ev HaChadashah, is located in the Giv'at Ze'ev municipal district.

* (Hebrew: גִּבְעַת זְאֵב)

In 2004, the Givat Zev Hachadasha neighborhood was built at the edge of the greater Jerusalem area, within the Givat Zev municipal district.

'''General''':

Over 900 families have already made their homes there and enjoy the great quality living, suburban open space, and a wonderful residential atmosphere which includes all the community services required by large frum families.

'''Locals:'''

There are around 25%-30% Anglos living in Givat Zev Hachadasha. Majority of them are a mixture of yeshivish and chassidish.

Several families are Ba’alei Teshuvah, although they are very well integrated.

Most of the residents are in kollel and some also work part time in various yeshivos and seminary’s.

Some Olim continue their american jobs working from home.

Many wives bring in the Parnassa while their husbands learn. The common denominator of the community is that most of the families started off learning in kollel for a few years, then went out to work.

'''Shuls:'''

There are about 12-13 shuls in the city.

Rav Wittenstein is the Rav of many Anglo families because he is American and speaks English, although his shul is run respectively in Hebrew.

Rav Horowitz, who himself is Chassidish, has 2 shuls catered to the Israeili, “Bnei Yeshivish”.

Rav Golan and Rav Kahana have a more Balabatish crowd.

There are 4 Sefardi Rabanim, including one Moroccan.

'''Programs:'''

There are constant learning opportunities offered; Daf Yomi and Gemara Shiurim, plus a kollel also for the Balabatim. Additionally the local Neshai hosts various programs, Shiurim, and classes for women.

Givat Zev Hachadasha is home to a large Belz community of 200

families, of which 5%-10% are Anglos. There is a Belz Cheder, gan, and they also have their own classes in the local Bais Yaakov.

'''Chinuch:'''

There are three Chederim, one Sefardi and two Litvish. All three are yeshivish Israeli Hebrew speaking. Girls attend the local Bais Yaakov which also has separate english classes. There are many preschools (gan) and daycares; government funded and private. The local schools integrate the students very well into chareidi Israeli society.

'''Shopping:'''

The neighborhood has a shopping center with the following: A large supermarket that provides freshly stocked goods, a Sefarim Store, a toy store, sock store, shekel store, sheitel macher, and stationery shop. There is also a Meuhedet branch (medical insurance) pharmacy, and Klalit.

'''Housing:'''

There are many apartment buildings, suitable for 6-8 families.

Also available are plenty of semi-detached houses and duplexes with private entrances. Every house in Givat Zev Hachadasha has a yard or large porch.

A typical apartment can cost anywhere between 1.5 - 2.5 million NIS. depending on the size.

Rent is around 3,000-6,000 NIS

'''Transportation:'''

With a 13-14 kilometer drive to Yerushalaim, there are 3 different bus lines/routes. On busy hours buses come frequently, normally every 10-15 minutes. It is approximately a half hour bus ride to Ramat Eshkol and 10-15 minutes maximum to the Ramot mall.

With a car it's a little more than 10 minutes to Ramot (in yerushalaim) and about 20 minutes to the Mir Yeshiva.

Residents (who contributed to this page) agree that owning a car definitely makes traveling easier, but it is not a necessity and the local transportation is very reliable and quick.

'''Climate:'''

Givat Zev Hachadasha is located in a valley with lower elevation. The weather is similar to, although a few degrees lower than Yerushalaim.

In general there is a nice breezy wind.

Contacts:

Ramat Eshkol

2020-07-12T15:30:22Z

Yberman613: Created page with " == Shul & Kehillos == * [https://zntshul.org/ Khal Zichron Nosson Tzvi]"

== Shul & Kehillos ==

* [https://zntshul.org/ Khal Zichron Nosson Tzvi]