Background and Education
Shmuel “Shmulik” Greenberg (born December 22, 1975) is an Israeli public figure serving as the mayor of Beit Shemesh, a rapidly growing city west of Jerusalem. He was born and raised in the town of Rekhasim in northern Israel. Greenberg received a traditional religious education, attending Tashbar Rekhasim elementary school and Torat Emet Talmud Torah in Haifa, followed by studies at the Kfar Hasidim yeshiva. After high school, he completed military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Unit 995.
Greenberg is highly educated in both religious and secular subjects. He earned a law degree from Ono Academic College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In addition, he holds a teaching certificate, is trained in mediation, and is an alumnus of the Mandel Institute’s management and leadership program). This diverse background has contributed to his reputation as “an educated, open-minded and learned” leader who blends Torah scholarship with professional expertise.
Early Career and Community Involvement
After marrying, Greenberg spent about a year in Panama on a teaching mission to serve the local Jewish community. Upon returning to Israel, he settled in Beit Shemesh and worked as a teacher and director of educational institutions in the city. This early involvement provided him with grassroots insight into community needs. In 2003, he was appointed head of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Affairs Department in the Beit Shemesh Municipality, responsible for the needs of the growing Haredi population.
Political shifts in the mid-2000s temporarily sidetracked his municipal role. After a change in city administration led to the dismissal of many Haredi staff, Greenberg transitioned to the national arena by serving as a parliamentary assistant to Member of Knesset Moshe Gafni)—a senior figure in his party, Degel HaTorah. This role allowed him to advocate for ultra-Orthodox interests from outside local government.
Despite moving into national politics, Greenberg maintained strong ties to community initiatives. Known as approachable and attentive, he remained involved in civic projects—for example, as a city council member, he later oversaw local programs for youth and community centers. His blend of Torah values with “derech eretz” (respectful conduct) has been a guiding principle in his public service.
Political Career in Beit Shemesh
Greenberg’s formal political career in Beit Shemesh began in 2008. In the 2008 municipal elections, his party (Degel HaTorah under the United Torah Judaism alliance) won four seats on the city council, allowing him to enter local politics. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Mayor of Beit Shemesh—a position he held for a decade (2008–2018) under Mayor Moshe Abutbul’s administration. In this role, he focused on municipal services and community development, overseeing departments such as city improvements, transportation, parking enforcement, and city inspections. He also chaired the traffic and road safety committee and headed the board of directors for the network of community centers in the city.
From 2013 to 2018, as Beit Shemesh experienced rapid growth—especially in new Haredi neighborhoods like Ramat Beit Shemesh—Greenberg was instrumental in navigating this expansion. He worked on improving public transportation and addressing community needs in a city known for its diverse population (including Haredi, Modern Orthodox, secular, and immigrant groups). For example, his efforts to bridge the gap between the Haredi community and other sectors were noted in articles like this one from The Jerusalem Post.
After a decade as deputy mayor, a political shift occurred in 2018 when Dr. Aliza Bloch won the mayoralty, ending decades of Haredi leadership. Greenberg continued as a city council member in the opposition and remained the local Degel HaTorah party chairman (see Wikipedia). In January 2020, mid-term in Bloch’s mayoralty, he resigned from the city council—coinciding with an offer for a prominent professional role in Jerusalem. However, he explicitly retained his role as Degel HaTorah’s leader in Beit Shemesh to stay involved in local affairs.
Roles in Jerusalem Municipality and Government
After stepping back from the Beit Shemesh council, Greenberg took on a senior role in the Jerusalem Municipality. From 2020 to 2023, he served as the Director of the Haredi Education Department in Jerusalem. In this capacity, he oversaw educational policy and institutions for the ultra-Orthodox sector in the capital—a key appointment under Mayor Moshe Lion’s efforts to include Haredi professionals in city administration.
Around the same time, Greenberg briefly won a tender to become an advisor on ultra-Orthodox affairs for the national Ministry of Transport and Road Safety. However, the ministry’s tenders committee ultimately vetoed that appointment, so he continued his work in Jerusalem. This episode highlighted his growing profile as an expert on Haredi needs across sectors such as education and transportation.
Political Affiliation and Leadership
Greenberg is affiliated with the Degel HaTorah) party—a Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox faction that is part of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) alliance. Throughout his career in Beit Shemesh, Greenberg has represented UTJ (locally identified by the Hebrew letter “Gimmel” (ג)). His close ties to UTJ are also evidenced by his stint as an aide to MK Moshe Gafni and the backing he has received from UTJ’s rabbinic guidance council.
When Greenberg ran for mayor in 2024, he did so with the full support of Degel HaTorah and all Haredi factions in the city, cementing his reputation as a loyal advocate for Haredi interests while engaging in broader municipal issues.
2024 Mayoral Campaign and Election
In mid-2023, Greenberg announced his candidacy for mayor of Beit Shemesh—marking his return to local politics after his years in Jerusalem. In June 2023, the Degel HaTorah party publicly chose him as its candidate, signaling a united Haredi effort to retake city leadership (details available on Wikipedia).
His main opponents were incumbent Mayor Dr. Aliza Bloch (a religious-Zionist educator with a broad local base) and MK Moshe Abutbul of the Shas party (a former Haredi mayor). The race was highly competitive and was seen by some as a crossroads between maintaining a mixed city and returning to ultra-Orthodox control. Notably, Greenberg broadened his appeal by reaching out to the city’s large community of English-speaking immigrants (as discussed in this Jerusalem Post article).
On February 27, 2024, the first round of the municipal election took place. Greenberg led with 35.7% of the vote but did not cross the 40% threshold needed for an outright win, forcing a runoff between him and Bloch after Moshe Abutbul was eliminated). In the two weeks preceding the runoff, all Haredi parties in Beit Shemesh united behind Greenberg—a rare display of unity among factions. As Ground News reported, Greenberg promised to work “in unity” for the city’s sake.
The runoff election on March 10, 2024 resulted in a decisive victory for Greenberg, who won approximately 57.9% of the vote against Bloch’s 42%. This win not only consolidated the ultra-Orthodox vote but also earned him crossover support, making him the first-ever Degel HaTorah-affiliated mayor of Beit Shemesh. He officially assumed office on March 31, 2024, succeeding Bloch.
Notable Achievements and Initiatives
Shmuel Greenberg’s career is marked by several key achievements and initiatives:
Decade of Municipal Leadership:
As Deputy Mayor (2008–2018), Greenberg oversaw tangible improvements in infrastructure and services—including transportation, road safety programs, and the establishment of community centers in new neighborhoods. His tenure was central to integrating emerging Haredi neighborhoods into the city’s municipal framework.Educational Contributions:
His background as an educator and his role as head of Haredi education in Jerusalem underline his commitment to advancing educational policy. In Jerusalem, he managed a large network of schools and yeshivas, ensuring robust support for Haredi education and demonstrating high-level administrative and policy implementation skills.Mayoral Election Victory (2024–Present):
Winning the 2024 mayoral race with nearly 58% of the vote was a landmark achievement. His success in uniting diverse ultra-Orthodox factions and garnering broader support set the stage for significant influence over Beit Shemesh’s future development—especially through plans to expand housing and infrastructure.Outreach and Community Unity:
Throughout his campaign and into his tenure, Greenberg has emphasized unity. His outreach to the city’s Anglo (English-speaking) community, as highlighted in Jerusalem Post coverage, is part of his strategy to serve all residents and ease sectarian tensions.Academic and Professional Credentials:
Beyond his political achievements, Greenberg’s strong academic background in law and public policy sets him apart as a “modern” Haredi leader committed to both community values and professional excellence.
Recent Developments (2024–2025)
Since taking office, Mayor Greenberg has initiated several key projects:
City Expansion Plans:
One of his first major projects is a plan to nearly double the size of Beit Shemesh. In May 2024, he met with Israel’s Minister of Construction and Housing, Yitzhak Goldknopf to devise an “umbrella agreement” for city development. This ambitious plan calls for constructing 30,000 new housing units—a project that would boost the population from about 170,000 to over 300,000. A joint task force was established to fast-track housing projects, including immediate tenders for 3,500 units in the new Ramat Beit Shemesh neighborhood (more details can be found here).Healthcare Improvements:
In October 2024, Greenberg participated in the dedication of new operating rooms at Hadassah Beit Shemesh, part of the Hadassah Medical Organization. Speaking at the ceremony, he noted, “Hadassah Beit Shemesh is making history…” This development now allows standard surgical procedures to be performed locally, reducing the need for residents to travel to Jerusalem. More about the event is available in this Hadassah story.Community and Security Initiatives:
Greenberg has worked closely with law enforcement and community leaders to maintain harmony in a religiously diverse city. When extremist actions occur, he and local Haredi rabbis have firmly condemned such behavior, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.Ongoing Municipal Projects:
His administration is also focused on improving day-to-day infrastructure—from traffic congestion and sanitation to parks and public buildings. With experience from past transportation committees, Greenberg is actively involved in discussions with service providers such as Egged regarding better public transit options.
Summary:
Shmuel Greenberg has risen through the ranks from educator and deputy mayor to become the mayor of Beit Shemesh. His career, deeply rooted in Haredi community values and bolstered by strong academic and professional credentials, is marked by a commitment to unity and comprehensive development. His initiatives—ranging from expansive housing projects and healthcare improvements to community outreach—reflect his vision for a thriving, inclusive Beit Shemesh.
Sources:
This overview incorporates information from Wikipedia), The Jerusalem Post, Ground News, Buy It In Israel, and Hadassah. Additional municipal records and community news sources have also informed this profile.
