The current municipal building and adjacent shopping centre are named in honour of Zalman David Levontin. Since the beginning of our journey, we have become familiar with his role in the history of Rishon LeZion. Levontin, who dreamt of a Jewish state as a schoolboy, played an instrumental role in founding the settlement council and procuring the land for Rishon LeZion. However, in the first year, he sold his land and returned to Russia.
An unwavering believer in self-sufficiency, Levontin held the conviction that the settlement should stand independently and be established and grown by affluent individuals. He staunchly defended the principles of Zionism based on private ownership and vehemently opposed any socialist or communist influences.
In 1897, Levontin was one of the first to align himself with the Zionist movement led by Theodor Herzl. He later assumed the role of Director of the Jewish Bank in London in 1901, and in 1903, he transitioned to manage the Anglo-Palestinian Company. This company financed the purchase of lands for the emerging Tel Aviv, the Herzliya district in Haifa, and lands in the Israel Valley. Over time, the Anglo-Palestinian Bank was rebranded as Bank Leumi, the National Bank of Israel.
Zalman David Levontin passed away in 1940 in Tel Aviv. Still, his final resting place is the Rishon LeZion cemetery, a testament to his enduring ties with the city he helped shape.
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.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
