To see fabulous pictures and small presentations left click below on

"Rishon Le Ziyyon," the link will be take you to the municipal website.

Look for the English drop down menu there and left click on it.

Location

Rishon Le Ziyyon (Rishon Le Zion) city is about 9 miles southeast of Tel Aviv - Yafo (Jaffa). The name (Hebrew: "First to Zion") is derived from a biblical allusion in Isaiah 41:27.

A brief write up on its history

Rishon Le Ziyyon is the second oldest Jewish settlement of Israel in modern times (after Petah Tiqwa): Rishon Le Ziyyon was founded in 1882 by mainly East European and oriental - Jewish immigrants.

The settlers at first unsuccessful, owing to lack of agricultural experience, gained assistance (after 1898) from Baron Edmond de Rothschild, the financier and philanthropist. His experts found the area suitable for vineyards, which were planted along with citrus orchards.

Baron Rothschild built some of the world's largest wine cellars, whose ownership and production are now in the hands of The Growers' Cooperative Society Carmel Wine Company.

Rishon is the home of the Matzoth Rishon Le Zion, who have been making excellent Matzoth for over a century. It was one of the first companies to give employment in the area. Their products are exported around the world.

The city's growth was accelerated by its proximity to the Tel Aviv-Yafo and the finding of water in 1883 at a depth of 43 meters. The cry: "We have found water" Matzanu Mayim appears on the city seal, and is widely used for names or mottos.

The water tower was built in 1898, and the well was in use till 1977.

One of the oldest established businesses in Rishon is "Matzos Rishon" who have been baking them for more than a century.

Rishon Le Ziyyon has its own wells and is the only city not connected to the national water supply. During the British Mandate the water supply was extended throughout the town and the road system expanded.

Water is recycled for use in the many lovely wide boulevards, parks and gardens. Rishon Le Ziyyon has been voted as the most beautiful city in Israel with its parks, gardens and new neighbourhoods.

Since the middle 1990's, new areas have mushroomed around the city and the population has increased rapidly over the years. There are a number of new shopping malls: and there is a new promenade on the sea front.  Plans are being made to expand the city limits eastwards to build new residential neighbourhoods, parks and gardens; this will most likely make Rishon Le Ziyyon the largest city land area in Israel.

The Israel Symphony Orchestra of Rishon Le Ziyyon was founded in 1988.

The Wine Festival is held annually during the Sukkoth (Tabernacles) festival in the Autumn: Concerts abound.