Description: A month later, in April 1887, Baron Rothschild graced Palestine with his presence. First, he conferred with Hirsch and Osowicki at Mikveh Israel before visiting the sacred sites in Jerusalem and finally arriving in Rishon LeZion. Here on this avenue, the locals hosted a grand reception and with bated breath, they awaited the Baron's next move. Rothschild pledged to continue financial support and even promised to reassign Osovitsky to another settlement, but only under one condition. Yosef Feinberg must depart Rishon LeZion.
Rothschild pointedly told Feinberg, "You drew me into this matter. You bear the responsibility. Sell your plot and leave." Despite Feinberg's attempts to resist and challenge the Baron, he was isolated. Feeling the weight of public pressure, he penned in his diary, "I depart Rishon LeZion solely for its benefit," and subsequently relocated to Jaffa. His brother Boris returned to Russia. Another brother, Lelik, his wife (the sister of the Biluim founder, Belkind), and other Biluim members established a new settlement, Gadera, to the south.
Yosef Feinberg endeavoured to establish an olive oil production in Lod using the proceeds from his plot sale but unfortunately went bankrupt and worked as a cab driver in Jaffa. In 1902, twenty years after arriving in Palestine and establishing Rishon LeZion, he succumbed to serious illness in Jericho, by the Dead Sea, at the age of 47. Just a year before his death, Yosef Feinberg became a father to a daughter, Dora. We'll delve into her story later.
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.