300 youth from the yeshivot and ulpanot in the Region are participating in the renovation of local Biblical sites as part of the "On Front Stage" project of Partnership 2000 through the Jewish Agency and in partnership with the JNF. The project exposes local high school students to cultural and artistic productions in Israel in order to enrich their cultural experience and expand their horizons. In this way, each high school student in the city gets an opportunity to view the best of Israel's cultural events, thus putting the youth of Beit Shemesh-Yehuda Plains "on front stage" not far from the youth of Israel's large urban centers.

During the 2005-6 school year, some 2100 grade 8-10 students from ten high schools in the Region will attend five high-quality performances of various types: art, dance, theater, film, movement and music. In addition to its cultural value, the project also attempts to instill values of volunteerism and social activism on behalf of the community. In each of the ten high schools, the youth, together with the school's educational staff and Tamar Rosh, the Director of the "On Front Stage" project, decided on a social/environmental project that they will carry out during the year.

The Amit and HaNetiv HaMercazi yeshivot chose to adopt the Massua Forest in Britannia Park. Experts believe that located not far from there is the site of the famous battle between David and Goliath. The youth are involved in clearing hiking paths, pruning and maintaining a young forest. JNF counselors direct the youth in the work and also held preparatory workshops for each class that came to the site. The youth also benefit from activities in the forest and a hike in the area.

Girls from the First Ulpana and HaNetiv HaMercazi chose to adopt the site of the tomb of Samson and Manoach in the Tsora Forest. The girls are involved in preparing the paths leading up to the tomb, cleaning the area of the tomb, pruning and maintaining the forest in the tomb's vicinity. Before setting out to work, the educational staff of the JNF and the forest ranger held a preparatory workshop which introduced the site and the activity of the JNF in the country's forests. The first meeting was particularly interesting and moving - the ulpana girls investigated the story of Samson and presented their findings to the class in the place where the events are thought to have actually occurred. Following that, they rolled up their sleeves and started working energetically.

"The On Front Stage program encourages volunteerism and interest in culture among the youth of Beit Shemesh-Yehuda Plains. The connection of the high school students to the Region and the creation of a real commitment to the environment are of the highest importance. Through the activity in the field the youth become more familiar with local natural and Biblical sites which further strengthens their connection to the Region. I am certain that in the not-too-distant future, many of the Region's residents as well as visitors from outside the Region will be able to enjoy the results of their work at the sites." - Tamar Rosh, Director of the On Front Stage project. The work on the two sites will continue all year.