A longstanding bein hazemanim tradition in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, is facing an unprecedented downturn this summer, as widespread financial pressures and government sanctions have dramatically reduced the number of Chareidi families able to rent vacation apartments during the annual break from the yeshivos.

For decades, families living in Kiryat Sanz routinely rented out their apartments during bein hazemanim to visitors from other Chareidi communities. Depending on the size of the apartment and its proximity to the beach, daily rental prices typically ranged between ₪1,000 and ₪3,000, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement for homeowners and vacationing families alike.

This year, however, residents say the market has virtually dried up.

According to a report, telephones that would normally ring constantly with rental inquiries have remained largely silent. Even when prospective renters do call, homeowners quote the same prices they have charged in previous years—only to hear the same painful response.

“We simply have no way to pay those prices. They’ve cut us from every direction, our financial situation is extremely difficult, and we have no money at all.”

Some families attempt to negotiate, offering only ₪300 or ₪350 per day for apartments that ordinarily command several times that amount. Yet even at those sharply reduced prices, many deals never materialize, as the financial impact of sanctions and budget cuts has left many avreichim unable to afford even modest vacations.

As a result, many apartments throughout Kiryat Sanz are remaining vacant this summer, while both homeowners and would-be renters are grappling with an economic reality that has upended the familiar rhythm of bein hazemanim.

One resident of the neighborhood told the publication that the trend has become impossible to ignore.

“I know several families—even in my own building there are two or three families that were accustomed to renting out their apartments for the entire vacation period. Right now they have tenants for only a few days, and even then it’s at much lower prices.”

He added that the situation appears to be worsening with each passing day.

“Every day you see more and more families who simply can’t rent out their apartments.”

According to the resident, the slowdown extends well beyond the summer vacation season.

“Even on Shabbos you can see there aren’t nearly as many guests as there used to be. Many people say it’s become too expensive for them, so they prefer renting apartments a couple of blocks away from Kiryat Sanz rather than paying the much higher prices inside the neighborhood itself.”

{Matzav.com}