The Vision for Eden

By Jewish Link Staff

 A new community in Beit Shemesh

Last year, Rabbi Beni and Chani Krohn, of the vibrant Young Israel of Teaneck, announced their intention to make aliyah to Beit Shemesh, as the rabbi and rebbetzin of a new community called Eden. Designed by developer Rotem Shani in partnership with Kelly Stern Israel, Eden broke ground in May 2026, and is located just outside the Sheinfeld neighborhood. The project spans 5.5 acres and will include five residential buildings including three- to six-bedroom apartments with balconies. Parks, playgrounds, designated sukkah areas, commercial and dining spaces, a gym, a community clubhouse and a community center will be anchored by a beautiful shul. Here, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Krohn describe the vision and plans for the community.

Rabbi Beni and Chani Krohn with their children.

What inspired you to make aliyah and build a new chapter of your lives here in Israel?

We have planned on making aliyah since we got married, but we made a conscious decision to stay in the United States to serve in the rabbinate. As our children have started to reach the stage where they are making plans for their own futures, we realized it was time to start planning for our future in Israel. More recently, we began thinking about the possibility of not only bringing our family to Israel, but how we could utilize the experience we have gained leading communities in the United States to create a community in Israel which would help Americans feel aliyah is something within reach. And then, we got a call from Kelly Stern asking if we wanted to discuss joining Eden. It felt like the perfect fit.

What was the vision you had when you first imagined creating this community?

Our initial vision was to create a community that would feel like an American-style community. A place where the shul is your hub, where someone notices you if you're not around, where friends take care of each other, and all of that led by a rabbinic couple there to help you feel motivated and supported, to celebrate your smachot and to support you through times of challenge. Of course, that is something many Americans making aliyah are looking for, but it’s also something that many who already live in Israel are craving as well. And the goal is that as our members find their footing in Israel in a place that is comfortable for them, they will use that as a starting point to begin to integrate into Israeli society. 

Why did you feel that Eden in Beit Shemesh was the right place to build that vision?

From the moment we became involved with Eden it was clear to us that both the developer, Rotem Shani, as well as the real estate team led by Kelly Stern, were laser focused not only on selling apartments but on building a community. As soon as Kelly became involved in the project she immediately went searching for a rabbinic couple around which she could grow a community; and Rotem Shani is doing something unique, building a beautiful shul building that will be built specifically for our kehilla. Even as we have moved along, every decision is made intentionally with the question of how it will help us continue to grow and support our future Eden members.  

Additionally, Beit Shemesh is a place where we feel very comfortable. It is a strong religious-Zionist community which is also relatively diverse. It is a community in which we feel we can grow personally, as well as a place in which we feel we can cultivate the type of community we are excited to build. It is also a place where the shuls and rabbanim work together on behalf of the larger community. The Beit Shemesh community is also known to be welcoming to new olim and has the infrastructure to help new olim thrive. We have received so many wonderful warm emails and messages from current residents of Beit Shemesh who are excited to welcome us and our kehilla.

What kind of community are you hoping to create here?

We are looking to create a religious-Zionist community where many different types of Jews can feel comfortable being themselves while also feeling inspired to grow and develop as Jews. We already have families from Teaneck, Queens, West Hempstead, Bergenfield, Columbus, Fair Lawn, Woodmere, Memphis, Toronto, Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Ramat Beit Shemesh, and more. The goal is to bring together a group that is like-minded but not all exactly the same, a group that respects each other and appreciates what we can each learn from each other. We look forward to building a kehilla that davens with power and meaning, that is alive with shiurim, social events and programming for children and adults, and that cares for each other deeply.     

What role do you see the shul playing in bringing people together and creating a sense of home?

I grew up in a community where if you weren’t in shul, someone noticed. A place where if you wanted to start a program you were encouraged and invited in. That is the type of community we have been blessed to cultivate in our shul in Teaneck, and it is the model we plan to bring to our kehilla in Eden. A shul that isn’t simply a place you come to daven, but a place where you feel you belong.  

Having come from Teaneck, what are some of the values or aspects of that community that you hope to bring with you to Eden?

We have an incredible community in Teaneck, and one of the things that makes it run so beautifully but also creates a sense of belonging for so many is that we are a community of volunteers. Everyone has something to offer the shul, and we encourage that involvement because everyone wins; volunteers feel buy-in and they each bring something unique that every other member can appreciate. That is something we plan to bring to Eden. We have also developed a dynamic program for children, teens and adults, from adult education to mental health and chesed initiatives, to social events. There is always something going on to draw people in and give them a meaningful touch point. This is something we plan to bring to Eden as well. 

What excites you most about the future of this community?

We are continually inspired by the people we meet who are preparing to give up the lives to which they have been accustomed for decades in order to pursue a dream that they believe in so passionately, even with all the uncertainty involved. We are excited to live in a community with so many inspired people who share that bold vision to chase their dreams, and, in particular, who share the dream of creating a future for their families in Medinat Yisrael. 

When you picture Eden five or 10 years from now, what do you hope you see?

Five years from now, we see families of all ages and stages of life who have had a year to settle in to their new reality, and while they are still figuring it out, they feel so grateful and comforted to be moving along this journey with a group of fellow olim who are going through the same experiences. They also appreciate their neighbors who may have made aliyah five, 10 or 20 years before them who have been there to help guide them along the process. We see children who are thriving because of the support of the incredible infrastructure in Beit Shemesh that helps children acclimate to Israel. And we see individuals who are experiencing the power of living in Eretz Yisrael, uncovering their passionate commitment and connection to Torat Yisrael, Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael, and ultimately to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.  

What would you say to a family dreaming about making aliyah and looking for a community where they can truly feel at home?

We would tell them to investigate the different options out there, so they can make a thoughtful, informed decision that is best for them and their family. We would also welcome them to reach out to us to discuss what they are looking for in a community to see if Eden is right for them.  But most importantly, we would tell them that if they are dreaming about aliyah, they are already in a great place. We always tell people that even if you’re not ready to move right now, keep doing research, keep talking to friends and relatives who have made aliyah, and keep visiting Israel with your family. Aliyah takes time to plan and execute and getting started early is a great way to put the pieces in place and to keep your dream alive.  

For more information, email: realty@kellystern.com