b"h 

    Dear Sir,

 The “Nachalei Tfilla” Community in Ramat Beit Shemesh was founded during the “Days of Awe” at the start of 5763 (October 2002). A number of families started congregating, as a result of the shortage of places to pray in the neighborhood. They founded the “Nachalei Tfilla” Non-Profit Organization, which aims to build a community center and synagogue which will include Torah Shiurim, social assistance and Chesed activities. Except for building a permanent home for the community, all of the initial objectives have been reached, and we are always working to improve and expand.

 Ramat Beit Shemesh is a new neighborhood. Its population consists mainly of Religious-Zionist people - Israeli-born and new immigrants. Because of the large religious population, there is an acute shortage of synagogues in the area, and we therefore approached the local municipality to help us locate a temporary solution. After much effort, we managed to obtain permission to use a building on Shabbat and festivals that usually functions as a kindergarten. During the winter months, many families joined us, and there are now about 50 regular families, with more constantly joining, making the building quite full. 

 The members are young families, couples and graduates of the Hesder program (which combines Yeshiva learning with service in the army). We are from various sects (Ashkenazim, Sfaradim…) with a number of new immigrants. There are also a number of young Rabbis, who are learning Halacha in Kollels towards rabbinical ordination. Others are employed in various fields, including many who are educators. The large majority of the members always find time to contribute towards the community, and as a result there is a natural feeling of friendship between us all.

 The community excels at Torah and social activities. A structure of Shiurim and classes, arranged and given by the members, has been initiated and runs continually. During the week and on Shabbat there are shiurim on Halachic topics, and on Jewish thought. The social activities include Kiddushim on shabbat and Chagim, special events, parties and tours. During 5763 we had: a Chanuka party, Seder Tu B’Shvat, Purim party, a Yom Ha’Atzmaut picnic, Lag Ba’Omer party for kids and adults, and an evening tour in Jerusalem held recently, for the “3 weeks”. On Shavuot night, we had a “Tikkun” with shiurim and learning the entire night. Once a month, we have a Kiddush at shul after Tfilla, to encourage interaction between the members. Chesed activities in the community include assistance to ladies who have just given birth, help to the sick, and donations to the shul and the neighborhood organizations.

 This busy timetable of activities has succeeded, mostly because of dividing up the work between the members who play parts in the various committees. The committees include – Gabbai committee, Culture and Chesed committee, a finance committee and the building committee.

 Since the community’s inception, Rav Eliyahu Ben-Chaim volunteered to serve as the community Rabbi, until a more permanent Rabbi is found. Rabbi Ben-Chaim gives a shiur every Shabbat, and carries out all the various responsibilities that are required by his position. He devotes much of his time to taking care of the members’ needs, along with his job as a Rabbi and educator in the Yeshiva-High School in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Running the community in the kindergarten requires great efforts – every Friday we have to convert it into a shul, and return it to its original state after Shabbat. The full occupancy and impermanence of the current set-up, does not allow us to enjoy the full atmosphere that a synagogue structure should emanate. We do not have a permanent Aron Kodesh, and we therefore have to keep moving the Sefer Torah (which is on loan to us) to be kept in the safe of a near-by shul. As stated, the community is also growing, and we have therefore started looking into the possibilities are a permanent structure.

 In a permanent building, we would be able to run regular Tfillot, 3 times a day - through-out the week and not only on Shabbat as we are currently forced to do. We would be able to have more Shiurim, with a proper Torah library for the members’ use. We are aiming to have a structure that can house 80 families, with an average of 5 seats per family.

 During the month of Tammuz (June) this year, the mayor visited the community and was greatly impressed by what he saw. He personally pledged to provide us with a piece of land and to give his authorization for building. To ensure that this is carried out swiftly and smoothly, we have organized a team that is working closely with the mayor’s staff.

 Building a permanent structure requires a large amount of funding, as can be seen in the attached documents. Every family of the community will be giving towards this important goal. Nevertheless, it is clear to us that this will still not suffice to cover all the expenses involved, because of our members, many are university students, Yeshiva Bachurim and young couples who have not yet had a chance to properly establish themselves financially. Because of this, we are seeking assistance from anyone who can help us in this important project.

 We would truly be grateful if you would agree to help us erect a center for Avodat HaShem and Torah learning, in our small neighborhood.

 Yours sincerely,

The Nachalei Tfilla Community