Title: "The Shalit Legacy: Founding Footprints"
Built in 1883, this house bears the legacy of Eliezer Elhanan Shalit. He was born into a Lithuanian Orthodox Jewish family with an orthodox view of sciences and liberalism, which were considered heresy and Zionism a utopian dream. They firmly believed in the sanctity of the Torah, prayer, and work. Orphaned at the tender age of 13, Shalit was obliged to trust only himself.
Upon moving to Poltava, he embarked on a career as a travelling salesman and married Sarah Ahronovich. Her family disapproved of Shalit, who was seen as a man influenced by Enlightenment ideas. This led the young couple to relocate to Jaffa.
Shalit was an active participant in Vaad Haluzei Yasod haMaala, along with Levontin and Feinberg, and was instrumental in establishing Rishon LeZion. He cultivated grapes, olives, and almonds. For 40 years, this very house was the family home.
Eliezer and Sarah were blessed with ten children. Five were born in Poltava, and all received their education at Haviv school in Rishon LeZion, the first Hebrew-speaking school. The children led diverse lives. The eldest son became a doctor in Paris. Another son initiated a Jewish settler movement in Australia. One daughter married an American Jew, while another chose to stay in Rishon LeZion, where she bred silkworm caterpillars. The youngest of their brood, Leia, who spoke six languages and translated works of medieval poets into Hebrew, founded the Reali School in Haifa. Tragically, one daughter died in infancy, marking the first death in Rishon LeZion. The eldest son described this tragic event as "the first sacrifice on the altar of my parents' ideals."
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!
