Rishon LeZion
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| Hebrew | ראשון לציון |
| Name meaning | First for Zion |
| Founded in | 1882 |
| Government | City |
| Officially also spelled | Rishon LeZiyyon |
| District | Center |
| Population | 219,800 (CBS end of 2005) |
| Jurisdiction | 59,000 dunams (59 km²) |
| Mayor | Meir Nitzan |
Rishon LeZion or Rishon LeZiyyon (Hebrew: ראשון לציון, lit. first for Zion), sometimes shortened to Rishon, is a city in Israel on the central coastal strip, in the Center District, just south of Tel Aviv, and part of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area (Gush Dan). It is the fourth largest city in Israel with about 219,800 residents (end of 2005). Its present mayor is Meir Nitzan.
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[edit] History
Rishon was founded on 31 July 1882 by a group of 10 members of the Zionist group Hovevei Zion from Kharkov, in modern Ukraine. Led by Zalman David Levontin, they purchased 835 acres (3.4 km²) of land south-east of present-day Tel Aviv for this purpose near an Arab village named Eyun Kara. Along with Petah Tikva, it is considered the first Zionist settlement in Palestine and its founders were members of the First Aliya. The land was owned by Tzvi Leventine and was purchased by the "Pioneers of Jewish Settlement Committee" that was formed in Jaffa, the port of arrival for many of the immigrants to the area.
The new settlers faced a lot of difficulties: sandy soil, lack of water, poverty, and lack of agricultural experience. After the digging of the Great Well and a wave of new settlers arriving (members of another Zionist group, the Biluim), the new settlement started to develop. Soon, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild gained control of the settlement and helped develop its agriculture, citrus fruit ("Pri Adar"), and wine industry.
Ri’shōn le-Tsiyyōn, which literally means ‘first to Zion’, was a pioneer not only in erecting houses but also in cultural life. The first Hebrew school was founded in Ri’shōn in 1886, as was the first Hebrew kindergarten in 1899. In 1886, construction began on the Ri’shōn winery.
The population numbered 266 in 1890. Five years later it increased to 450, and by 1898 rose to 531.
[edit] Name
The name Rishon LeZion literally means "First to Zion", it was chosen because of the biblical verse:
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- "First to Zion are they, and I shall give herald to Jerusalem" - "ראשון לציון הנה הינם, ולירושלים מבשר אתן"
from Book of Isaiah , chapter 41, verse 27.
[edit] List of Rishon's mayors
- Dr. Eliakum Ostishinski (1950-1951)
- Arie Sheftal (1951)
- Moshe Gavin (1952-1955)
- Gershon Man Mankov (1955)
- Hana Levin (1955-1960)
- Arie Sheftal (1960-1962)
- Noam Leoner (1962-1965)
- Arie Sheftal (1965-1969)
- Hananya Gibstein (1969-1983)
- Meir Nitzan (1983-present)
[edit] List of notables in Rishon's history
- Zeev Abrahamovich - one of Rishon's funders.
- Fani Belkind - member of Bilu group who settled in Rishon.
- Israel Belkind - member of Bilu group who settled in Rishon.
- Samason Belkind - member of Bilu group who settled in Rishon.
- David Ben-Gurion - a workers' leader in the Yekev (winery of Carmel Mizrahi) and Israel's first prime minister.
- Eliezer Ben-Yehuda - the father of the modern Hebrew language and a teacher in Rishon LeZion.
- Yoel Drubin - member of Bilu group who settled in Rishon.
- Israel Fineberg - defended Rishon from Arab and Beduin bandits.
- Yossef Fineberg - chemist and one of Rishon's funders.
- Hananya Gibstein - Rishon's mayor before Nitzan.
- Yehuda Hankin - one of Rishon's funders.
- Dov Lubman Haviv - A teacher in the first Hebrew school Haviv.
- Mordechai Lubman Haviv - educational inspector.
- Zrubabel Haviv - son of Dov Lubman.
- Dr. Haim Hissin - member of Bilu group who settled in Rishon.
- Zalman David Levontin - buyer of Rishon's territory from the Ottoman Empire.
- Zvi Ha-Cohen Levontin - one of Rishon's funders.
- Meir Nitzan - Rishon's mayor since 1983, considered one of the best mayors in Israel.
- Ami Popper - killed 7 Arabs in Rishon in 1990.
- Baron Edmond James de Rothschild - the French Jewish philanthropist who supported Rishon.
- Reuven Yudalevich - one of Rishon's funders and believed member of the original 10 with Levontin
- David Yudilovich - member of Bilu group who settled in Rishon.
[edit] "Rishon's Parliament"
The "Rishon's Parliament" is a mythological group of Rishon's elders and veterans who were known for their wit and unique style. The group used to assemble about three times a week to discuss current events and exchange anecdotes and jokes. Their stories were documented by Uri Porat and Amnon Nahmias and published in a series of stories in Yediot Aharonot and later in a book called Rishon - The Wild East.
[edit] Rishon Le-Zion today
Today, Rishon-LeZion is the fourth most populated city in Israel and is known for its high quality of life.
[edit] Industry and commerce
Rishon's main industries are wine, construction, services and commerce. It has special quarters (called Ezorey ha-Taasiya) for small factories and workshops, in order to not disturb the residential areas with noise and pollution. Since there are no residents in the industrial zones, they have become hang-out centers packed with pubs, dancing clubs and restaurants that are open until the small hours of the morning.
Many shopping centers and malls were built in New West, the modern part of Rishon LeZion, but some eventually closed due to competition. Currently, the two major malls ( קניון ) in Rishon are Rothschild Center in the old downtown and Gold Mall (Kanyon ha-Zahav) in New West.
[edit] Culture
The city, usually referred to as "Rashlatz" (in Hebrew, short for Rishon Le-Zion) or just "Rishon", hosts the annual Rishon Le-Zion Wine Festival, a one-of-a-kind cultural event in Israel. Rishon is also known for its high number of shopping centers, the Amfi-Park (which once held shows of international artists like Sting, Metallica, Alanis Morissette and more), a zoo, an entertainment center (The Superland), and the promenade on the beach.
Heichal Ha-Tarbut (Hall of Culture) in Rishon is a large and highly reputed modern center for concerts, theatre and cultural events. It has one main hall for shows and two small halls for artistic workshops.
Rishon has a symphonic orchestra and its musical director is the conductor Mandi Rodan.
[edit] Education
Elementary schools (1st - 6th grades):
- Haviv - the first modern Hebrew school (חביב)
- Beeri (בארי)
- Mishor HaNof (מישור הנוף)
- Yesod HaMa'ala (יסוד המעלה)
- Hadarim (הדרים)
- Adini (עדיני)
- Ein HaKore (עין הקורא)
- Ashalim (אשלים)
- Belkind (special education) (בלקינד)
- Alonim (אלונים)
- Itamar (named after Itamar Ben-Avi, the son of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda) איתמר
- Tarbut (תרבות)
- Nitzanim (ניצנים) a community school, which emphasis on science studies.
Junior high schools (7th - 9th grades):
- Avnei HaHoshen (אבני החושן)
- Zalman Aran (זלמן ארן)
- Yitzhak Rabin (יצחק רבין)
- Dorot (דורות)
- Micha Raicer (מיכה רייסר)
- Mordei HaGeta'ot (מורדי הגטאות) - closed
- Mordekhai Tabib (מרדכי טביב)
- HaMa'ayan (המעיין)
- Aharon HaBiluim (אחרון הבילויים)
High schools (10th - 12th grades + 2 years for professional studies):
- Ankori Rishon LeZion
- Makif Aleph - Gymnasia Realit (established in 1939) (גימנסיה ריאלית)
- Makif Beth - religious high school
- Makif Gimel - Amit Amal עמית עמל
- Makif Dalet - Gan Nahum (גן נחום)
- Makif Hey - Sha'ar Rishon (שער ראשון)
- Makif Vav - Yigal Allon (יגאל אלון)
- Makif Zain - Revivim (רביבים)
- Makif Het
- Makif Tet
- Makif Yud - Avnei HaHoshen (אבני החושן)
Higher education:
- The College for Administration (המכללה למנהל)
[edit] Sports
Rishon gained notoriety in handball and chess, where it achieved tremendous successes.
In handball, Hapoel Rishon LeZion and Maccabi Rishon LeZion dominate the handball league. Hapoel has won more than seven domestic championships and cups in a row, with stars like goalkeeper Vladimir Zaikman and field-players Idan Maimon and Dudi Balsar. Its biggest rival, Maccabi, has a rich history as well, and was able to take the championship title from Hapoel in the latest 2005/06 season. Handball is also a dominant sport in Rishon LeZion high schools. The Amit Amal high school handball team has won the world championship several times.
In chess, the Rishon LeZion Chess Club, founded in 1939, is one of the leading clubs in Israel, in senior, women and youth leagues. Israeli grandmasters such as Boris Alterman play for Rishon. World champion Garry Kasparov was a former member.
As to the two most popular sports in Israel, soccer and basketball, Rishon has achieved certain accomplishments as well. The Irony Rishon LeZion soccer club has managed to advanced up to Israeli's first division league during the end of the millennium, but experienced a decline in recent years and have been demoted to the third division.
The Maccabi Rishon LeZion basketball team is a long-time member of the Israeli first division league. The team was a stubborn rival to Israel's top club and European champion, Maccabi Tel Aviv, during the 1990s. After a certain decline in the beginning of the 2000s, the club is trying to get back its place in the top positions of the first division league. With the support of Rishon high schools, the club has been known to produce some very talented basketball players over the years.
[edit] Neighbourhoods and places
Rishon-LeZion's main quarters are:
- The Old City ("Downtown") - the whole area around Herzl street and Jabotinsky street. The center of the Old City is Rotschild street, near the Midrehov (padestrian mall) and the old Gan-HaMoshava (The City Park).
- Neighbourhoods: Rishonim (Gan Nahum), Abrahmovich, Katzanelson (Shikun Poalim), Shikun Mapam and Shivat Zion.
- Shikun(ey) HaMizrah (The Eastern Resident) - located in the eastern part of Rishon.
- Neighbourhoods: Shikun HaMizrah, HaRambam, Mishor HaNof, Revivim (Shikun Sela), Kidmat Rishon.
- Old Mabat - "The Old Industrial Zone" which officially named "Mis'har, Biluy, Taasia" (commerce, entertainment and industry) was full of light industry and glass factories. Today it is the center of motor garages, large food stores and has a vivid night life in a pedestrian mall filled with bars and cafes. The Old Mabat is located in the northern part of Rishon, near HaMaccabim road (the road called "Kvish Beit-Dagan" by the locals).
- Maarav Rishon (The New West) - built in the 1980s and mostly populated in the 1990s, the New West is a block of new neighborhoods, connected with modern, wide roads between each other. The New West is the modern part of Rishon and has many parks and community-centers. It considered to be very aesthetic and prestigious and in less than a decade it was filled with more than 100,000 residents, doubling Rishon's population.
- Neighbourhoods: Neve Yam, Neve Shikma, Kiriyat Ganim, Neve Ashalim, Kiriyat Hatani Pras Nobel, Neve Dkalim, Neve Hof (Pueblo Español), Ramat Eliyahu.
- New Mabat - two new industrial zones in the New West.
Places to see in the Old City of Rishon:
- The Midrahov (pedestrian mall).
- Gan-HaMoshava (also called "Gan Ha-Nadiv") - Park.
- The Great Synagogue.
- The Great Well ("Matzanu Mayim").
- The Old Water Tower.
- The Rishon LeZion History Museum.
- The first Hebrew school - Beit Sefer Haviv.
- Yekev Carmel Mizrahi - the old wine factory.
- Beit Yad LeBanim - originally was the baron's offices but now it serves as a Memorial center to Rishon's sons who fell in Israel's wars.
- Heichal Ha-Tarbut (Hall of Culture) - a modern center for concerts, theatre and cultural events. It has one main hall for shows and two small halls for artistic workshops.
- Superland - Rishon's amusement park (allocated in the New West by the sea).
[edit] Famous residents
- International footballer, Tal Ben Haim TalBenHaim.net
[edit] External link
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- Official site (Hebrew)
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| Regional councils | Brenner · Gan Rave · Gederot · Gezer · Drom Hasharon · Hefer Valley · Hevel Modi'in · Hevel Yavne · Hof HaSharon · Lev HaSharon · Lod Valley · Nachal Soreq | |
| Boroughs | Neve Monosson | |
