Shabbat in Netanya: candle lighting, the eruv, shuls and the beach

Netanya does Shabbat in its own way: a city of about 140 shuls of every nusach, a Haredi neighbourhood with its own beach, and a seafront where many families come for weddings, bar mitzvahs and Shabbat chatan.

Candle lighting

This site uses Hebcal's Netanya location (geonameid 294071) and 20 minutes before sunset (Hebcal's standard for Israel). For example, for Shabbat Bereshit 5787 (9-10 Oct 2026) Hebcal gives candle lighting at 17:55 and havdalah at 18:51 (Hebcal (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)). I didn't find a different published local custom; if your shul uses one, follow your shul. The Shabbat times page shows this week's times and has a calendar feed you can subscribe to.

The eruv

Netanya has an eruv. The Religious Council publishes the eruv map with a form for reporting a fault, and says the eruv overlaps with neighbouring towns' eruvin, with halachic guidance for each Shabbat exit from Netanya's boundaries (mdn.org.il (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)). I found no authoritative source on whether it covers every part of Ir Yamim or Ramat Poleg, or on a current eruv hotline, so check the map and ask your rabbi.

Shuls

The Religious Council, now at 3 Reuven Barkat St, 4th floor, lists about 140 shuls with address and nusach (Tunisian, Moroccan, Ashkenazi and more) and 13 mikvaot (mdn.org.il (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)). Listing.

English-speaking communities (AACI list):

• McDonald International Shul: Orthodox, city centre. Listing
• Young Israel of North Netanya: Modern Orthodox. Listing
• Young Israel of Ramat Poleg: Modern Orthodox. Listing
• SNAC: Ashkenazi, south Netanya. Listing
• Tefilat Yamim: Ir Yamim. Listing
• Bet Israel: Masorti. Natan-Ya: Reform.

(AACI (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה))

French-speaking: Or Menachem, the Chabad centre for French speakers at 6 Gad Machnes St (Lubavitch.com (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)). Listing. See all shuls.

Beaches and Shabbat

• Netanya has 9 declared bathing beaches with lifeguard towers. In season, bathing hours are 08:30 until half an hour before sunset (Sironit from 06:30); out of season only the winter tower at Sironit A works. Swimming without a lifeguard is forbidden (City of Netanya (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)).
• Sanz Beach has separate hours for men and women and a mehadrin-kosher kiosk, and is closed on Shabbat and holidays (City of Netanya (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)). Listing.
• I didn't find an official source on lifeguard hours on Shabbat at the other beaches, so check the city's beach page in season.

See the beaches and parks in the directory.

The city centre on Shabbat

Bizportal reported in 2024 that some Kikar HaAtzmaut restaurants now close on Shabbat, as a French character has come to shape the centre (Bizportal (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)).

Through the year

Regaim and the municipality run Jewish-culture events: Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a Tu BiShvat seder, Hakafot Shniyot, Tisha B'Av night and Yom Yerushalayim, plus a women's Torah midrasha and a mayor's Tanach circle (City of Netanya (נפתח בכרטיסייה חדשה)). Check What's on for dates.