Rishon LeZion

Rishon LeZion or Rishon LeZiyyon (in Hebrew: ראשוןלציון), often shortened in Rishon , is a city of the central coastal strip of Israel, in the central District, in the south of Tel Aviv, integrated into the metropolitan surface of Tel Aviv (Gush daN). With its 221.500 inhabitants (2006), it is about the fourth city of the country. Its current mayor is Meir Nitzan.

History

The city was founded the July 31st 1882 by 10 members of the group Sioniste “Hovevei Zion” ( the Amants of Sion ) originating in Kharkov (currently in Ukraine). Under the command of Zalman David Levontin, they bought 3,4 km ² grounds in the south-east of current the Tel-Aviv, near the Arab village of Eyun Kara. With Petah Tikva, it is about the first establishment Zionist out of ground of Palestine. Its founders belonged to the First Aliyah. The new arrivals had to face many difficulties: sandy grounds, lack of water and inexperience in the field of agriculture. They lived thus in poverty. The new establishment started to develop after the digging of the Large Well and with the arrival of a new wave of immigrants, Bilouïm, members of another group Sioniste the Bilou. But it is especially thanks to the baron Edmond de Rothschild that the community developed thanks to its agriculture: lemon culture (" Pri Adar ") and, as from 1886, vine growing (“Carmel Winery”). Rishon LeZion also has the appearance of a pionnière city in the cultural field. The first Hebraic school was founded there in 1886, and the first Hebraic kindergarten in 1899. In 1890, the community counted 359 inhabitants. In 1900, its population reached 526 hab.

The name of Rishon LeZion, which one can translate by " First towards Sion " , is drawn from a verse of the Bible: " ראשוןלציוןהנההינם, ולירושליםמבשראתן " - " It is for Sion that here, very first, that which speaks, it is Jerusalem which I gratifie of a messager" (Tests, 41,27 oecumenical Traduction of the Bible )

Mayors of Rishon

  1. Dr. Eliakum Ostashinski (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 Laoner (1962 - 1965)
  8. Arie Sheftal (1965 - 1969)
  9. Hananya Gibstein (1969 - 1983)
  10. Meir Nitzan (1983 -present)

Rishon Le-Zion nowadays

Rishon-LeZion became the fourth town of Israel (221 500 hab. in December 2006). It is famous for the quality of its framework of life.

Economy

The principal economic sectors of the city are the Viticulture, the Construction, the services and the Commerce. The heart of its great zones of economic activities beats as well the day as the night. Indeed, because of the absence of dwellings, these zones accommodate many bars, nightclubs and restaurants which remain open until the first gleams of the day.

The city is famous for its many shopping malls which do of it one of the most commercial cities of the country. Four great centers can be quoted: the Qanyon Rotschild ( קניוןרוטשילד ) in downtown area, the Qanyon ha Zahav ( קניוןהזהב = DC of Gold ) in the new district of the west, the Qanyon Shaar Rishon ( קניוןשערראשון = DC of the First Door ) and the Qanyon ha Ber ( קניוןהבאר = DC of the Well ) also in the west of the city.

Culture

Each year, the city accommodates the Festival of the Wine, a single cultural event in Israel. Rishon is also famous for the Park Amfi (which already accommodated international artists like Sting, Metallica, Alanis Morissette and well of others), a zoo, an amusement park (Superland), and its beautiful walk of the seaside.

Heichal ha-Tarbut (the Hall of the Culture) is a great famous arts center for its cultural concerts, its theater and other events.

The city counts also a Symphony orchestra whose musical director is the chief Mandi Rodan.

Twinnings

The city is twinned with:

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