Download GPX file for this article
32.08333333333334.833333333333Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Bnei Brak, also spelled Bene Beraq, is an Israeli city. It lies in the Gush Dan district of which Tel Aviv is the largest city, between Ramat Gan and Petach Tikvah.

A leafy lane in Bnei Brak

The city is a major focus of chareidi Jewish life, and this article is thus mainly focused on such travellers, since for other travellers, Bnei Brak is not an especially interesting destination.

Get in

  • From Ben-Gurion Airport you are best off taking a taxi (price $37). It is possible to take buses, but there is no direct bus from the airport to Bnei Brak, so you would have to change buses in Tel Aviv or Ramat Gan. In that case, you could also take a train from the airport to Tel Aviv HaMerkaz (Central Station) and switch to a bus there.
  • From Tel Aviv, take Dan city buses 240 or 160.
  • From Jerusalem, take Egged/Dan intercity bus 400 from the Tachanah Merkazit (Central Bus Station), which leaves every 10 to 15 minutes, or take bus 402, which is faster and goes mainly through the chareidi neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

Get around

There are some city bus lines in Bnei Brak.

See

South of Jabotinsky Road, the main traffic artery, is the Haredi area of the city, almost exclusively inhabited by Haredi Jews. Walking in these areas is a unique Israeli experience, but be respectful of the local customs. Wear long-sleeved clothing and full pants; a head cover is also recommended. On Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday), it is not recommended to openly display/use electronic devices, ride a bicycle, or make noise in this area.

There is a Coca-Cola factory which is an interesting place to see. The façade reads "Coca-Cola" in Hebrew.

Do

Buy

Emblems of the 12 tribes of Israel, HaPoel HaMizrachi Central Synagogue

There are many Judaica stores. It is best to limit Judaica purchases to mezuzah covers (not parchments), candlesticks and artwork, which are not intrinsically religious unless you are qualified to judge the authenticity of an item. As in all shopping, let the buyer beware.

The chareidi population in Israel is generally poorer than the rest of the Jewish population. Therefore the prices are lower, and you can often find better deals on all sorts of domestic items than elsewhere in the greater Tel Aviv area.

The first women-only department store is located in Bnei Brak. For ultra-Orthodox women this a good place to shop since men are not allowed inside the store.

Eat

Bnei Brak is one of the cheapest places in Israel (possibly the cheapest) to buy food, both fast food and supermarket goods.

  • The bakery on the corner of Rabbi Akiva and Rashi Streets, on the side towards Chazon Ish Street, is recommended. It is cheap and sells excellent baked goods.

Drink

The local population is not in the practice of partying in the secular sense. If you are in town for the festival of Purim, or get invited to a wedding or other festivity, you can expect to have a good time, with separate dancing and the odd l'chaim (toast).

Sleep

Viznitz Hotel located in Neve On

  • routes from rabbi akiva
  • 28 buses in hour routes 160,161,240,1,3,7

Learn

Ponevezh Yeshiva

For those interested in Torah studies, there are various yeshivot in Bnei Brak. The Ponevezh Yeshiva, pictured on this page, seems to be the best-known in town.

Go next


This city travel guide to Bnei Brak is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!