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Rishon LeZion

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Rishon LeZion or Rishon LeZiyyon (Hebrew: , 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 217,400 residents (end of 2004). Its present mayor is Meir Nitzan.

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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 Israel 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.

Name

The name Rishon LeZion literally means "First to Zion", it was chosen because of the biblical verse:

: "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.
Rishon LeZion in 2002
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Rishon LeZion in 2002

List of Rishon's mayors

  1. Dr. Eliakum Ostishinski (1950-1951)
  2. Arie Sheftal (1951)
  3. Moshe Gavin (1952-1955)
  4. Gershon Man Mankov (1955)
  5. Hana Levin (1955-1960)
  6. Arie Sheftal (1960-1962)
  7. Noam Leoner (1962-1965)
  8. Arie Sheftal (1965-1969)
  9. Hananya Gibstein (1969-1983)
  10. Meir Nitzan (1983-present)

List of notables in Rishon's history

\"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.

Rishon Le-Zion today

Today, Rishon-LeZion is the fourth most populated city in Israel and is known for its high quality of life.

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.

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.

Education

Yigal Alon High School
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Yigal Alon High School

Elementary schools (1st - 6th grades):

Junior high schools (7th - 9th grades): High schools (10th - 12th grades + 2 years for professional studies): Higher education:

Sports

Rishon gained notoriety in handball and chess. It also has a profesional soccer team and a profesional basketball team. The basketball team plays in the Israeli men's first division league.

In handball, Hapoel Rishon dominates the handball league winning more than seven domestic championships and cups in a row. Its biggest stars are goalkeeper Vladimir Zaikman and field-players Idan Maimon and Dudi Balsar. Its biggest rival is Maccabi Rishon.

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. Garry Kasparov was a former member.

Neigbourhoods and places

Rishon-LeZion's main quarters are:

The Great Synagogue
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The Great Synagogue

Places to see in the Old City of Rishon:

Famous residents

External link

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