In 2015, the Rothschild Foundation acquired a building that, after a stunning restoration, transformed into a sophisticated venue for temporary exhibitions, cultural events, and gatherings of the city’s elite. Yet, its roots reach far deeper, entwined with the stories of the people and families who shaped it. Built in 1928, the building was the brainchild of Yehuda Stempler, an architect with a keen eye for elegance, commissioned by two interconnected families—those of Shimon Stern and Aaron Zelig Krinkin.
Aaron Krinkin, hailing from Volgograd and born into a family of shipowners, was swept up in the fervour of Zionist ideals, prompting his migration to Palestine in 1906. There, he established a now-legendary pharmacy in Jaffa, a landmark of the city’s vibrant early days. Shimon Stern, arriving during the Third Aliyah, married one of Krinkin’s daughters and brought bold, innovative ideas to the family business. Under his direction, the pharmacy evolved into more than a place for medicines; it became a hub of culture and convenience, selling theatre tickets and even offering a taxi service. Its reputation also rested on a medical ointment named after the Russian surgeon Pukhov, whose story became woven into this vivid tapestry of the Third Aliyah.
Shimon’s daughter, Yehudit, carried the family’s legacy into a new chapter through her marriage to Meshulam Riklis. Born in Istanbul in 1923 to Russian émigrés, Riklis studied at Herzliya Gymnasium and went on to amass immense wealth in the United States. A patron of power and politics, he funded presidential campaigns for both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, emerged as a key Republican Party supporter, and financed the purchase of Ariel Sharon’s Shikmim farm in 1972.
The architect, Yehuda Stempler, had a life as compelling as the families he designed for. Born in Buchach, the hometown of Nobel laureate S.Y. Agnon, Stempler trained in architecture in Lviv before emigrating to Palestine in 1920. There, he became a pioneering force in Tel Aviv’s architectural landscape. Of the 26 buildings he designed, 25 remain standing, beautifully restored and serving as enduring markers of his vision and craftsmanship.
This building is more than a mere structure—it is a living narrative of dreams, migrations, and enterprise. Its walls whisper tales of innovation, resilience, and the artistry that shaped the very essence of Tel Aviv. It stands as both a monument to the city’s early builders and a beacon of its enduring, dynamic spirit.
Let us begin our journey at Habima Square, a central crossroads in Tel Aviv where Rothschild Boulevard meets Sderot Hen, named after the national poet Haim Nachman Bialik. These boulevards, shaded by elegant ficus trees, are more than just scenic streets—they are the threads of a narrative that weaves through the history of Israel’s founding.
On Sderot Hen, at No. 1, a pivotal moment unfolded on May 13, 1948. Within this modest building, Arab representatives signed a formal agreement of surrender, just one day before the proclamation of Israel’s independence. A few steps away, across Rothschild Boulevard, in the home of Tel Aviv’s first mayor, Meir Dizengoff, David Ben-Gurion stood in a modest living room and declared the establishment of the State of Israel.
This short but profound route between two historic landmarks is a journey through time. It captures the essence of Tel Aviv’s transformation—from a nascent Hebrew city into the cultural and historical heart of modern Israel. Each building, each street, whispers the stories of visionaries and pivotal moments. Walking this path isn’t just about seeing the city; it’s about feeling its pulse, its spirit, and its unique place in history.
