Religious conflict in Beit Shemesh yields to fragile peace amid coexistence efforts

Published on February 14, 2013

Next to the Modern Orthodox Orot Banot girls school in Beit Shemesh, fresh mounds of dirt and a huge hole in the ground indicate the spot where a community center is being built.

Beit Shemesh segregation signs removed

Published on July 5, 2012

A sign calling for women to avoid using sidewalks in order to avoid contact with men was removed from a neighborhood in Beit Shemesh.

Woman attacked for immodest dress

Published on June 21, 2012

Haredi Orthodox men threw stones at a woman and her baby who were shopping in Beit Shemesh.

Jessica Fishman’s Sad Story and the Threat to Israel’s Civil Society

By Rabbi John Rosove
Published on February 10, 2012

Opinion: Who are the Charedim?

Published on February 8, 2012

The disturbing recent episode involving the harassment of an 8-year-old Orthodox girl in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, and the ongoing controversy over separate seating for women on public buses in Jerusalem and elsewhere, has focused new attention on that group of Jews known as Charedim (or ultra-Orthodox). But who are they, and where do they come from?

Girls’ faces blurred in toy store ad in Beit Shemesh

Published on February 7, 2012

The faces of young girls modeling Purim costumes in a toy store ad were blurred in a haredi Orthodox newspaper in Beit Shemesh.

Opinion: Right Is wrong

Published on February 1, 2012

Much has already been written about the horrifying scenes of violence, extremism and chilul Hashem (desecration of God’s name) taking place in Israel these past weeks — indeed these past years; but something more needs to be said.

Opinion: Haredi leaders must speak out against zealots

Published on January 30, 2012

The recent violence in Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood has led me to speak out against the so-called "sikrikim" in the harshest possible terms, equating their actions to terrorism. Sikrikim is the name given to a fringe anti-Zionist vigilante group, loosely linked to Neturei Karta and said to have been at the head of many of the recent violent attacks against innocent Israelis.

Woman assaulted by haredi men in Beit Shemesh

Published on January 24, 2012

A woman hanging posters for Israel's national lottery was assaulted by haredi Orthodox men in Beit Shemesh.

Letters to the Editor: Beit Shemesh, Lord Sacks, Ron Paul, City Guide

Published on January 11, 2012

Opinion: The response to extremist Judaism lies within Judaism

Published on January 11, 2012

In an attempt to better understand the problem that arose as a result of the recent events in Beit Shemesh — the one that succeeded to light a fire under so many people — most of us always return to our comfort zone by declaring that the problem lies in the Jewish religion.

Beit Shemesh Women Flashmob

By JewishJournal.com
Published on January 9, 2012

Opinion: Will Beit Shemesh lead to erosion on Capitol Hill?

By Douglas Bloomfield
Published on January 3, 2012

A compelling threat to the survival of a democratic Jewish state does not come from the Arabs or the Iranians but from within. Its repercussions threaten to reach far beyond the gender segregated sidewalks and buses of some Israeli cities to the heart of the Diaspora.

Where do Israeli haredim stand on haredi violence?

Published on December 30, 2011

The cascade of condemnations started pouring in almost as soon as the Israeli TV report aired. It's subject was an 8-year-old girl harassed by haredi men on the way to her Modern Orthodox girls’ school in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh.

Israel will take action against haredi extremists, Netanyahu says

Published on December 28, 2011

Israel will take action against haredi Orthodox extremists who harass women in the public sphere, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned.

Rally in Beit Shemesh protests exclusion of women

Published on December 27, 2011

Hundreds participated in a rally in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh against gender segregation and violence against women by haredi Orthodox extremists.

Haredi violence in Beit Shemesh catches Israel’s attention

Published on December 27, 2011

For several years now, the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh has been the site of on-again, off-again religious violence.

Rally set in Beit Shemesh to protest exclusion of women

Published on December 27, 2011

Thousands are expected to participate in a rally in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh against women's exclusion and violence against females by haredi Orthodox men.

Removal of modesty signs in Beit Shemesh sparks riot

Published on December 26, 2011

Haredi Orthodox men rioted against police in Beit Shemesh to protest a crackdown on the exclusion of women in the public sphere.

National religious, haredi Orthodox protesters clash over girls’ school

Published on August 30, 2011

Police were called in to quell a clash between parents of students at a new national religious school for girls in the Jerusalem District and haredi Orthodox protesters who have prevented its opening.