Beit Shemesh marked 75 years since its founding on Wednesday evening (September 2) with a special ceremony held at the Eshkol Pais.

The event brought together Mayor Shmuel Greenberg, former mayors, city rabbis, current and former council members, public figures and other guests to celebrate 75 years of building, growth and development in Beit Shemesh.

The evening looked back at the city’s history while also focusing on its continued growth and future.

Beit Shemesh Reaches 200,000 Residents

One of the highlights of the evening was the introduction of Beit Shemesh’s 200,000th resident.

Rabbi Larry Rothwachs and his wife, Chaviva, recently moved to Israel from New Jersey and chose Beit Shemesh as their new home.

Rabbi Larry previously served as a community rabbi and worked in social services and psychology. He currently serves as the rabbi of Maromei Shemesh, a community in Ramatayim.

His wife, Chaviva, is a special education teacher.

Their arrival in Beit Shemesh was marked as a major milestone for a city that has experienced rapid growth in recent years.

Moving Performance of “Elokai Neshama”

The evening also included a moving musical performance by Shlomi and Yedidya Bachar, brothers of the late Yehuda Bachar, who was killed in the October 7 attacks.

The brothers performed “Elokai Neshama,” adding a deeply emotional moment to the evening.

Words from the Mayor and Ministry of Interior Director-General

Mayor Shmuel Greenberg and Director-General of the Ministry of Interior Yisrael Ozan also addressed the gathering.

Their remarks focused on Beit Shemesh’s development over the past 75 years and the city’s continued growth and future.

Looking Ahead

Beit Shemesh was founded in 1950 and has grown from a small development town into one of Israel’s fastest-growing cities.

Today, the city is home to a wide range of communities and continues to expand with new neighborhoods, schools, public facilities and infrastructure.

The 75th anniversary is an opportunity to look back at how far Beit Shemesh has come - while also looking ahead to the next chapter in the city’s story.

Wednesday evening’s celebration brought together the people who helped shape Beit Shemesh in the past with those who are building its future today.