Beit Shemesh and Adulam have always been in the forefront of regions eager to accept newcomers. Holocaust survivors from Europe and refugees from Asia, the Middle East and North Africa helped found Beit Shemesh and the Adulam region. In the 1970's newcomers from the then Soviet Union were drawn to the region and currently about 10 percent of the population of Beit Shemesh are new immigrants, mainly Russian speaking.

Zina Matve reached Israel six years ago from Derbent, Dagestan in Southern Russia. She came to Beit Shemesh three years ago with her husband and three children. "Beit Shemesh offered us an inexpensive apartment," said Matve who works in a local laundry, "and a wide range of job opportunities. We are very happy here."

Beit Shemesh has also participated in the Aliyah 2000 program whereby a municipal representative toured the former Soviet Union with Jewish Agency officials to interview potential newcomers wishing to come directly to Beit Shemesh. Over fifty families were chosen to come to Beit Shemesh. Municipal staff met them at the airport, arranged for them to rent accommodation and helped them find work. At Moshav Aviezer in the Adulam region 25 of the 50 new homes which were recently completed have been sold to new immigrants, mainly from the former Soviet Union.

Partnership 2000 is involved in several aspects of community building. Programs enhancing integration between the veteran and new populations include:

• Women's advancement
• Student involvement and leadership
• "Learning Communities" - study of Jewish sources in an open and pluralistic environment