The Founders Square features the magnificent Great Synagogue, whose construction commenced in 1885. The principal patron for the building was Zvi Levontin, uncle of Zalman Levontin, who contributed substantially to the purchase of Rishon LeZion's land. David Papermaster, a renowned engineer and architect who crafted the striking city council building in Jaffa, designed this building's blueprint.
However, the construction process did not proceed unhindered. Baron Rothschild's officers intervened, and the synagogue, originally planned to embody the Hasidic style, was built in the widely adopted Ashkenazi style instead. The construction spanned four years, concluding in 1889 with the arrival of Baron Rothschild. Over time, minor changes were made to the facade, including an elevation inscribed with the establishment year in Hebrew on the Jewish calendar.
The synagogue's cellars initially served as storage for agricultural tools. This unusual use occurred because the building was presented as a barn for agricultural machinery to the Turkish authorities, who had prohibited the construction of a new synagogue.
As time passed, the basement underwent another transformation. It became a kindergarten and not just any kindergarten. It became the first to provide education entirely in Hebrew, marking a new chapter in the building's rich history.
This journey offers a distinct and unparalleled experience, deviating from the customary city tour by transforming your mobile phone into your guide. As one acclimates to a tour guide's distinctive style, rhythm, and routes, you will also adapt to this unique self-guided experience. Here, you are a participant and the storyteller, navigating and setting your own tempo based on your personal style.
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with this novel approach, and soon you'll find yourself immersed in a narrative rich with the complexities of real people's lives, their moments of joy and despair. As you journey, urban legends rise from the forgotten corners of history, imbuing hope and offering an understanding of where everything started. This isn't just a tour; it's an opportunity to animate the city with your own pace, style, and voice.