Holon

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Holon
Hebrew transcription(s)
 • Hebrew חוֹלוֹן
 • ISO 259 Ḥolon
Arabic transcription(s)
 • Arabic حولون

Logo
Holon is located in Israel
Holon
Coordinates: 32°01′N 34°46′E / 32.017°N 34.767°E / 32.017; 34.767Coordinates: 32°01′N 34°46′E / 32.017°N 34.767°E / 32.017; 34.767
District Tel Aviv
Founded 1936
Government
 • Type City (from 1950)
Area
 • Total 18,927 dunams (18.927 km2 or 7.308 sq mi)
Population (2009)[1]
 • Total 184,700
Name meaning (Little) sand
Website holon.muni.il
Location of Holon in the Tel Aviv District

Holon (Hebrew: חוֹלוֹן About this sound (audio) (help·info)) is a city on the central coastal strip south of Tel Aviv, Israel. Holon is part of the metropolitan Gush Dan area. In 2009, it had a population of 184,700.[1] Holon has the second-largest industrial zone in Israel, after Haifa.[citation needed]

Contents

Etymology [edit]

The name of the city comes from the Hebrew word holon, meaning "(little) sand". The name Holon also appears in the Bible: "And Holon with its suburbs, and Debir with its suburbs" (Book of Joshua, 21:15).[2]

History [edit]

Holon was founded on sand dunes six kilometers from Tel Aviv in 1935.[3] The Łódzia textile factory was established there by Jewish immigrants from Łódź, Poland, along with many other industrial enterprises.[3] In the early months of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Holon was on the front line, with constant shooting taking place on the border with the village of Tel A-Rish to its northwest—a suburb of Arab Jaffa—and clashes also in the direction of the town of Yazur to the east. An attack by the Holon-based Haganah militia units on Tel A-Rish was repulsed with considerable losses. After the establishment of the state, Holon expanded to include Tel A-Rish (renamed "Tel Giborim", "The Mound of the Heroes") and the orange groves of Yazur.

In February 2001, eight Israelis were killed and twenty-five were injured in a Palestinian attack on a crowded bus stop in Holon.[4]

Urban development [edit]

Design Museum Holon

Historic landmarks in Holon slated for preservation include Derech Habitachon ("Safe Road"), paved during the Israeli war of independence; water towers in the Moledet and Azor neighborhoods; Hosmasa, a building used by the Haganah; the pillbox guard post; Stroma Square, Mansbach health clinic, Hameshakem building, the Agrobank neighborhood and two schools - Bialik and Shenkar.[5]

Local government [edit]

Mayors [edit]

  • Haim Kugel – 1940 to 1953
  • Pinhas Eylon – 1953 to 1987
  • Haim Sharon – 1987 to 1988
  • Moshe Rom – 1988 to 1993
  • Moti Sasson – 1993 to present

Culture [edit]

Yanshul, symbol of the Holon Children's Museum

Holon hosts a variety of springtime events, including the Yemay Zemer (Days of Song) Festival during Passover and a Women’s Festival in March, both at the Holon Theater. Holon is also one of the host cities for the Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix Series in March.[6] Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman runs a summer music camp in the city for young violinists.[7]

Since the election of Mayor Moti Sasson in 1993, many cultural projects have been inaugurated. Billing itself as a "children's city," Holon is home to the Holon Children's Museum and the Mediatheque youth theater.[8] Holon also plays host each year to a street carnival in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim, the Adloyada. Thousands of children dress up in costumes and the streets close down for a parade featuring colorful floats.[9]

The Design Museum Holon, which opened in 2010 near the "Médiathèque" and the Faculty of Design of Holon Institute of Technology, is the first Israeli museum of design.

Mediatheque cultural center

Samaritan community [edit]

Holon's Samaritan synagogue

In 1954, the president of Israel, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, helped to establish a Samaritan quarter on the outskirts of Holon. The quarter was named Neve Pinchas after Pinhas Ben-Abraham, the high priest of the Samaritan community.[10]

Holon is one of only two cities in the world to have a Samaritan community, the other being the village of Kiryat Luza on Mount Gerizim above Nablus on the West Bank. That community fled Nablus for Kiryat Luza following the outbreak of the First Intifada (1987–93).[citation needed]

Sports [edit]

Notable residents [edit]

Omri Casspi

Twin cities [edit]

Sister city shields at the city entrance

Partnership of kindness with:

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b "Table 3 – Population of Localities Numbering Above 2,000 Residents and Other Rural Population". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 2010-06-30. Retrieved October 30, 2010. 
  2. ^ "The Story of Holon:Making Sand Dunes Sophisticated". Isrealli.org. Retrieved January 20, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b The Guide to Israel, Zeev Vilnay, Hamakor Press, Jerusalem, 1972, p.239
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ Holon seeking to preserve 18 historic sites, Haaretz
  6. ^ "Festivals". Holon Municipality. Retrieved 8 May 2013. 
  7. ^ Israeli cultural scene explodes with dynamic music, fiction, art
  8. ^ "Post-championship Holon dreams of prosperity, tourism – Haaretz – Israel News". Haaretz. Retrieved May 5, 2009. 
  9. ^ Purim parade in Holon, Jerusalem Post
  10. ^ "Samaritans". Jewishmag.com. Retrieved May 5, 2009. 

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Holon
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Holon Cemetery
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