Beit Chatam was founded by a group of Kollelniks in 5743 (1983) . The founders felt that Rechovot’s large and growing English speaking community was in need of Torah advancement. Torah lectures and Shiurim in English were organized and with the passage of time, under the leadership of Rav David Stein, Chatam developed into a full fledged community of approximately 70 families, complete with a Rabbinical Board, Shul Board and Ladies’ committee.
Our goals in Eretz Yisroel include advancement in Torah learning and observance, physical and spiritual absorption of new Olim, and Chessed and Tzedaka. To meet these goals, we have an extensive learning program which services the greater Rechovot area, daily and Shabbos services, a well stocked English book and tape lending library, a Chessed committee, and an Aliyah/Klita committee.
In 5759, we opened a unique Yeshiva.
Rosh Hashono 5756 (1995) saw us in the first floor of our new Shul. In 5762 (2002) we completed the second floor (which includes a lecture hall, classrooms, and library). There are still unfinished items in the first floor. The Shul building and lecture hall do not have “names” yet. In addition to the possibility of dedicating the Shul building and the second floor lecture halls, a few items in the main Shul may be dedicated. All donations are U.S.A. and Israel tax deductible.
Next time you’re in Israel, come visit us (and until then, see our photo gallery). Send us eMail to arrange spending a Shabbos with us. We can help you plan your Aliyah too.
The Beit Chatam Community
Community – this single word best expresses the philosophy behind Beit Chatam. The approximately sixty families that make up Beit Chatam are striving to build a community in Eretz Yisroel – a community based on Torah, and yir’as shomayim. We are trying to build an example of what a Torah community should be – without any hidden agenda. Our agenda is to strengthen ourselves and our children, and by doing so, to provide an example of what can be done in our Land.
The religious Western oleh, and particularly the immigrant who chooses to work here in Eretz Yisroel, will very often ask himself soon after his aliya, “Why am I here?” The enormous financial and emotional investment which he made in order to get here is called into question. He begins to wonder, “Did I make aliya, or have I made a yerida? Have I gained spiritually, or have I lost?” The mamarei Chazal, which beckoned him to leave his “home” ,do not seem to mesh with reality. He knows that the future of the Jewish people is here, but he wonders where his future is. He left his former community to realize the dreams of the generations. Instead, he finds himself in the nightmare of polarization which characterizes modern Israeli society. He wanted to join his own destiny to the destiny of Klal Yisroel, but with every move he is confronted with the harsh demand, “Which camp are you in?”
At Beit Chatam, we build bridges based on love of Torah and love of each other. We aim to move beyond the adversarial relationship which has developed between the full-time Torah scholar and the baal habayis. At Beit Chatam we have built a framework which is all too rare in Eretz Yisroel. The kollel members of our community strengthen the baalei batim. They give shiurim and learn one-on-one with the working members of our community. In turn, the kavod haTorah of our baalei batim create an environment from which our kollel members draw strength. Our kollel members do not feel that they are cut off from the larger community.
The mutual support that we give each other extends to each member of the community. We help each other. We share each other’s sorrows and we participate in each other’s joys.
At Chatam, we are a varied group. By us you will find knitted, suede, and velvet kippot. You will find hats and caps. Underneath each one is a Jew committed to building a life and society based on Torah.