The wonderful Rishon LeZion Museum in Rishon LeZion
The name of the city Rishon LeZion comes from a verse in Isaiah “First to Zion are they, and I shall give herald to Jerusalem.” Rishon LeZion was indeed the first settlement to be established in Ottoman Palestine by Chovevei Zion immigrants and it will continue to make additional firsts over the years. The Rishon LeZion Museum is one of the best museums on the First Aliya period in Israel. It focuses on themes and contains realistic life-size models set within appropriate backgrounds. A visit to the museum can be nicely combined with a short walk to Kikar HaMeyusdim and Rothschild St to see the Village Well, where you will view an engaging 15-minute movie about the funding and digging of the well and see the original well. Be aware, though, that there is a spray of water from the ceiling when water is finally located!
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The land for Rishon LeZion was purchased by Hayyim Amzalk, the British vice consul in Jaffa, and also an Ottoman subject. The settlement was established in 1882 on a barren hill by 17 pioneers from the Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire, who were members of the Zionist movement Hovevei Zion. By the end of their first year, the settlement had grown to 100 members. This included members of the Bilu movement, who initially worked in Rishon LeZion and then formed their own settlement of Gedera (see the webpage: “ Gedera and the Bilhu Pioneers”)
As for all the other early settlements, conditions were extremely difficult, especially as the pioneers had no previous experience in agriculture. A critical problem in Rishon LeZion was lack of water. There was a nearby spring, but the water was not drinkable. The settlers almost immediately began digging a well but they failed to reach the aqueduct. In the meantime, drinking water had to be brought in from nearby Mikveh Yisrael in a camel-drawn carriage or bought at an exorbitant price from an Arab village. The cost of a jug of water was the equivalent of the price of a day’s work. However, the pioneers had insufficient funds to deepen the well. And without a source of water, the settlement was sunk.
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One of the settlers, Yosef Feinberg, was sent to Europe as an emissary to raise funds. In France he met up with Baron Edmond de Rothschild who was impressed by the project and donated 25,000 franks. The Baron had previously met with Rabbi Mohliver, and he had agreed to support a new settlement that would be named Mazkeret Batya. Feinberg could not know this but he had created another first. Rishon LeZion would become the first of many settlement projects that Baron Edmond de Rothschild would underwrite and which would led to his eventually taking almost the entire struggling settlement project under his wings.
The Baron was not interested in supporting charity cases. He wanted results from his investment. He eventually bought the homes of the settlers and they were paid monthly stipends to work the land. The intention was that they would buy back their homes when they became financially independent. He also sent agronomists and administrators to run the settlements. However, their loss of independence very much disturbed the settlers and created tensions, and even a revolt in Rishon LeZion.
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Under the direction of the administrators, vines and fruit trees were planted instead of grains. This led to him establishing the Carmel Oriental Wine Cellars in Rishon Le Zion and Zichron Ya’akov. He built a synagogue for the community. This was the largest and most impressive building in the village. As well as being used for prayer services (as it is to this day), this was also where all public functions took place, including the visits of important visitors. The school and kindergarten were also initially held in its basement.
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And the other firsts? The settlement school was the first in the country to use Hebrew. The settlers organized the first Hebrew kindergarten and elementary school in the 1880s. Rishon LeZion had the first orchestra in Palestine. The Israeli national anthem, the Hatikvah, was composed here by the Hebrew poet Naphtali Imber. The Jewish National Fund was formed in this village in 1889. The first iron plow in Israel was made here. More about these firsts as we go through the museum
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Directions and parking: Enter “Rishon Lezion Museum“ into Waze. The closest parking lot is by the City Hall at HaCarmel 25. It is a private parking lot with payment. It is a 9-minute, 650-meter walk to the museum. It is advisable to use this rather than street parking which is unreliable, especially if you have a tour appointment.
Admission: There is a modest admission charge. There is no extra charge for a guided tour. The museum is open Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.00 AM to 2.00 PM, Monday 9.00 AM. to 1.00 PM. and 4.00 PM. to 7.00 PM and the first Saturday of each month 10.00 AM to 2.00 PM. Their telephone number is 03 959 8890. This is their website
An exhibit from the "Artisans at work" exhibit
The original Eliezer Ben-Yehuda's salon
The reconstructed stable in the farmyard of the Schalit home.
Visiting the museum:
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You may wish to join one of the frequent tours offered in Hebrew or English. Otherwise, go at your own pace.
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Visit the exhibits in the building adjacent to Ahad Ha’am St. This was built in 1911 and was formerly a pharmacy. The first exhibit is called “People, Land, Dream.” Unlike the rest of the museum, everything is in Hebrew. It is about the initial founders, the Bilu members who temporarily joined them, and the Israeli flag.
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A flag was first hoisted in Rishon LeZion in 1885 on Rishon LeZion’s 3rd anniversary. A tallit (prayer shawl) was taken with its blue stripes and a Magen David was sewed onto it. However, it is very likely that the design of the Israeli flag had nothing to do with the flag hoisted in Rishon LeZion and that those involved in its final design knew nothing about this flag, despite the designs being almost identical.
The idea of a national flag was first raised by Theodor Herzl and its first design was by the Zionist leader David Wolfson in 1897. This design was adopted by the First Zionist Congress. The final design was by Richard Ar’el, the graphics advisor to the government, and his design was accepted in 1948, a half a year after independence. Its stripes are from the stripes in a tallit and it includes a central Magen David. The Magen David symbol was first used by the Jews of Prague in the 17th century but it did not become a Jewish symbol until the 19th century.
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The exhibits in the adjoining room are “Artisans at work.” These are illustrated by very realistic life-size models with appropriate backgrounds.
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On the second floor in the adjacent building, also facing Ahad Ha’am St., is an exhibit on Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and his relationship with Rishon LeZion. This includes a short movie that can be viewed with English subtitles. The salon shown is Ben-Yehuda’s original salon from his home in Jerusalem, and this is where he and his wife entertained their guests.
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Ben-Yehuda was the first to conceive the idea that the renewal of the Jewish people in Israel necessitated a common language and that this should be Hebrew, and he worked tirelessly to bring his idea to fruition. The settlers of Rishon LeZion liked his ideas and were prepared to bring them to reality in a new Hebrew-language school they established in 1887/8. Thus, this school became the testing ground for his ideas, and a very strong relationship developed between him and the people of Rishon LeZion. They visited his modest home in Jerusalem and he loved visiting Rishon LeZion.
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You are now in the farmyard of Eliezer Schalit, whose home is adjacent. As the sign points out, there would have been livestock here, and vegetables and fruit trees were grown. This was where laundry was washed, bread was baked and olive oil was pressed.
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It is worthwhile going into the reconstructed stable. There are life=size models inside and other displays.
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Naftali Imber wrote the words for Hatikva and lived briefly in the basement of the Heisman House in 1884.
From the exhibit "Clothing of the Firsts" in the Schalit House
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Go into Eliezer’s home for the exhibit “Clothing of the Firsts” and the Hall of the Founding Fathers in honor of the 17 founding families.
Eliezer and Sarah Schalit were two of the original founders of this settlement and their house was built in 1883. Eliezer became an expert in agriculture and he was the first to grow olive trees here. Their home was restored to its original appearance in 1999.
Despite being predominantly agriculturalists, the settlers were not peasants and they maintained their standards. The women especially, although nowhere near Paris, copied the best of its fashion, including tight women’s corsets. The exhibits are based on photographs and similar clothing obtained by various means. Some of the displays are only in Hebrew, but much is also in English.
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The Heisman home was built by Shraya Feival and Feige Heisman in 1883 and was one of the first buildings in the village. Go down to the basement of their home where Naftali Heiz Imber stayed briefly in the spring of 1884. He composed the words for Israel’s national anthem Hatikvah. There is also more in this building on “The Flag – firsthand story”.
Naftali Imber is regarded as the pioneer poet of the First Aliya. He published this poem, which he called Tikvatenu (Our Hope), in 1886. A year later Shmuel Cohen composed a melody for it in Rishon LeZion based on a Romanian folksong. It caught on and was sung at the 4th Zionist Congress and at the end of every subsequent Zionist congress. At the 18th Zionist Congress it was formally recognized as its anthem, although there were some changes on the way. It is now known as Hatikvah. 117 years after it was first composed and 56 years after the formation of the State, it was recognized by the Knesset as Israel’s national anthem.
The water tower
The Water Well building
Walk to Kikar HaMeyasdim, Rechov Rothschild and the Village Well
There are some 17 sites and buildings in the old area of Rishon LeZion that can be toured. However, this webpage will confine itself to just a few buildings on Kikar HaMeyasim (Founders Square) and Rothschild St. We will also visit the Village Well.
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Turn to the left as you leave the museum following the yellow tiling on the pavement. You will notice the Great Synagogue on the opposite side of the road. The first homes were built on this then desolate hill and the synagogue was built at the very top of the hill.
The Great Synagogue can be visited in the context of a tour, but is otherwise closed except at the time of prayer services. It was completed in 1889 with the assistance of the Baron. The 12 apertures at the front of the building represent the 12 tribes of Israel. On the roof is a menorah. Some of the corners of the building could represent the corners of the altar in the Sanctuary The inside of the building has undergone changes over the years. This was the hub of community life and where public meetings and receptions for important guests were held. The boys’ school and kindergarten were initially held in its basement.
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Turn to the left down Kikar MaMeyasim. As you walk along you will notice the village bell and a kiosk from the 1920s. You will also see the front of the homes that you saw in the museum, namely the Schalit and Heisman homes. Soon after Rothschild St. becomes a pedestrian walkway turn left onto Zadel St. Ahead of you is the water tower and on your right the Water Well building.
The water tower was constructed in 1898 and was one of the first modern water towers to be built in Israel. It stored a considerable amount of water and was designed to provide a steady supply to the inhabitants. There was formerly an adjacent pool that functioned as a reservoir and a water station for livestock. Water was also channeled into the nearby garden. The tower has been preserved and restored as a heritage site and stands today as a testament to the determination of the early pioneers to build a flourishing community.
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Do visit the Water Well building. A very well-done and exciting 15-minute movie is shown inside that is projected over the original well. It can be shown with English subtitles. Admission is included with the museum charge. It is open from 9.00 AM to 2.00 PM Sunday to Thursday.
The development of its water system is an integral part of the history of Rishon LeZion. The phrase “We have found water” became the municipal emblem of the city.
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Walk down the steps is the pretty garden Gan HaMoshava, the oldest and most central park in Rishon LeZion. It has restrooms, shaded picnic benches and a kid’s play area with equipment. The evolution of the settlement school is on the left of the main thoroughfare and then the municipal buildings.
A short movie is shown in the Water Well that is projected over the original well.
Gan HaMoshava is the oldest and most central park in Rishon LeZion.
Nearby places of interest:
The Yaacov Agam Museum of Art is in Rishon LeZion. Yaacov Agam is known world over as part of the kinetic art movement. His works offer different perspectives, depending on the angle of viewing. The museum is home to six decades of his art, including sculptures, paintings, digital art, installations and more. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the museum, which allows a greater level of interaction with his works. See our website
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Superland amusement park has a number of roller coasters.
Hai Kef Zoo is a small zoo in Rishon LeZion. Some reviews find it upsetting that the animals are in cages rather than there being an attempt to imitate their natural environment. Not a zoo to visit from afar, but a pleasant place to visit if you are already in town.
Palmachim Beach National Park is worth visiting. See the webpage “The gorgeous beach at Palmachim Beach National Park.” In addition to stunning views, there is history to see, as the National Park houses the remains of the Yavne-Yum, an ancient port city dating from the Middle Bronze Age.