Independence Hall (Israel)

Independence Hall today. 16 Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv, Israel

David Ben Gurion pronouncing Israel's Declaration of Independence, May 14, 1948 at Independence Hall on May 1948, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the state of Israel in the main hall of the building.

Independence Hall, originally the Dizengoff House (Hebrew: בית דיזנגוף‎) is best known as the site of the signing of Israel's Declaration of Independence. It is located on the historic Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel. Today a museum, it houses exhibits on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and on the history of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. From 1932 to 1971, it housed the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

Origins

On this site, sixty-six families gathered on April 11, 1909 to conduct a lottery for plots of land in a new Jewish neighborhood, to be known as Ahuzat Bayit. Meir and Zina Dizengoff acquired plot number 43, on which they built their home. Meir Dizengoff served as the head of the new neighborhood council. In 1910, at a general meeting, the residents of Ahuzat Bayit, inspired by Theodor Herzl's book Altneuland (English: Old-New Land), unanimously decided to rename their neighborhood Tel Aviv. As the neighborhood grew and became a city, Dizengoff became the first mayor of the city of Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Main article: Tel Aviv Museum of Art

In 1930, after the death of his wife, Dizengoff donated his house to his beloved city of Tel Aviv and requested that it be turned into a museum. The house underwent extensive renovations and became the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in 1932. The museum moved to its current location in 1971.

Independence

Main article: Declaration of Independence (Israel)

The first Israeli Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, made the proclamation at 4 pm on May 14, 1948 in the main hall, eight hours before the British mandate over the region was due to end, in the presence of the members of the Vaad Leumi (Jewish National Council), and the leaders of the Jewish community.

After David Ben-Gurion read the declaration of independence, Rabbi Fischman (Maimon), recited the Shehecheyanu blessing, and the Declaration of Independence was signed. The ceremony concluded with the singing of Hatikvah, now Israel's national anthem.

Bible Museum

The upper floors of the building house a Bible Museum, featuring archaeological artifacts and works of art with Biblical themes.

See also

• Declaration of Independence (Israel)
• Rothschild Boulevard
• Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Today

In 1978, Independence Hall was restored and opened to the public. It now houses exhibits on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and on the history of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.

Gallery

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  The main hall of the building as it appeared in 2004

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  The entrance to the hall in late 2004

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References

External links

• Independence Hall
• Independence Hall at ilMuseums.com
• MFA: The Signatories of the Declaration

Coordinates: 32°3′46″N 34°46′14″E / 32.06278°N 34.77056°E / 32.06278; 34.77056