Rishon LeZion

Rishon LeZion, or Rishon LeZiyyon (????? ?????) is a city in Israel, on the central coastal strip, in the Center District of Israel, 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 227,000 residents. Its present mayor is Meir Nitzan.

History

Rishon was founded on July 31, 1882 by a group of 10 Hovevei Zion (Zion lovers) members from Kharkov, Russia, led by Zalman David Levontin who purchased 835 acres (3.4 km²) of land south-east of current day Tel Aviv for this purpose near an Arab village named Eyun Kara. It is considered (along with Petah Tikva) as the first Zionist settlement in Israel and the settlers are considered part 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 of many of the immigrants to the area.

Related Topics:
July 31 - 1882 - Hovevei Zion - Zion - Kharkov - Russia - Zalman David Levontin - Tel Aviv - Arab - Eyun Kara - Petah Tikva - Settlement in Israel - Aliya - Jaffa

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The new settlers faced a lot of difficulties: sandy soil, lack of water, poverty and mainly the lack of agricultural experience. After the digging of the Great Well and a wave of new settlers arriving (the Biluim) the new settlement started to establish itself. It was later given into the custody of Baron Edmond James de Rothschild who supported the settlement and helped develop their agriculture, citrus fruit ("Pri Adar") and wine industry.

Related Topics:
Biluim - Edmond James de Rothschild

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Rishon-LeZion, which literally means "The first to Zion", was a pioneer not only in erecting houses but also in cultural life. In Rishon, the first Hebrew school was founded in 1886, and the first Hebrew kindergarten was founded in 1899. In 1886, construction began on the Rishon Le-Zion winery. In Rishon, the national anthem of Israel, Hatikvah (The Hope), was written and the Flag of Israel was created.

Related Topics:
1886 - Hebrew - 1899 - Hatikvah - Flag of Israel

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The population numbered 266 in 1890. Five years later it had increased to 450, and in 1898 to 531.

Related Topics:
1890 - 1898

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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" - "????? ????? ??? ????, ????????? ???? ???"

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from Book of Isaiah , chapter 41, verse 27.

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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)

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 1980, considered one of the best mayors in Israel.
• Baron Edmond James de Rothschild - the French Jewish philanthropist who supported Rishon.
• Reuven Yudalevich - one of Rishon's funders.
• David Yudilovich - member of Bilu group who settled in Rishon.

"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.

Related Topics:
Uri Porat - Amnon Nahmias - Yediot Aharonot

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