The City of Tel-Aviv

Tel-Aviv, currently the capital of Israel, was founded in 1909 by David ben Gurion and sixty other Jewish families, 39 years prior to the official establishment of Israel as a nation. It is located very closely to the ancient city of Jaffa, which is known religiously as the home of the prophet Jonah. Jaffa was considered the melting pot of Israel at this time in history for it homed a vast array of ethnic cultures from the Arabs to the Jews. Eventually however, the city of Jaffa became extremely overpopulated during the early 20th century, and a large amount of Jews, led by David ben Gurion, decided to leave the ancient city, in which they ultimately settled upon the neighboring region of Tel-Aviv or, The Hill of Spring. The name Tel-Aviv is derivative from two Hebrew words; "Tel" meaning a hill covering an ancient settlement, and "Aviv", meaning Spring. Its name is symbolic, as it serves as the connection between the old and the new ways of life for the Jewish people. Sadly, in 1917, just 8 years after the city's foundation, its Jewish citizens were exiled under the ruling of the Ottoman Empire during the first world war. Less than a year after however, the Jewish citizens returned to Tel-Aviv, where they remain to this day. Between 1914 and 1936, it is estimated that the population of Tel-Aviv grew from a petty 3,600 people to a whopping 120,000 people. The primary cause of this population boom was the rise of Hitler's German army in Europe, which consequently lead to a massive amount of Jews fleeing Europe and heading into Israel. Today, Tel-Aviv is Israel's second largest city behind Jerusalem, and has a population of more than 380,000. It is considered the economic focal point of all Israeli cities, as it is home to both the Tel-Aviv stock exchange as well as the Diamond Exchange- a key industry to one of Israel's most coveted exports. While some describe Tel-Aviv as a drab city full of white or grayish buildings, the importance of the cities history is undisputed. Many of these buildings lack coloration, yet are incredibly historical. More than 1,500 buildings in Tel-Aviv alone have been marked for historical conservation- many of which withstood the attacks of Hitler's Germany. For tourists, there are plenty of sites to view in this historical city. The Habima National Theater, home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra provides an awesome spectacle for musical enthusiasts. The Azraeli Tower is the cities tallest building at 614 feet in height, and provides a shopping mall, as well as an observation level for tourists to view the outskirts of Israel. For tourists interested in the history of the Israeli people, one should visit Beth Hatefutsoth, the museum of Diaspora, which can be found on the campus of Tel-Aviv University. While there are many tourist attractions and beautiful beaches to visit while in Tel-Aviv, the one location recommended to all tourists is the house of Ben Gurion. The house, which was built between 1930-1931, was the home of Ben Gurion, a politician who helped establish the city of Tel-Aviv. The house was built in the first neighborhood in Tel-Aviv, and remains standing as a museum today. It has a very simple look with cream-colored paint on the outside, accompanied by the Israeli-state flag in the front yard. The house has a resemblance similar to that of an office building rather than a house, nonetheless, the history of this house outshines its basic appearance. When Gurion passed away in 1973, his house was unanimously voted to be a national landmark. In all, the city of Tel-Aviv provides an excellent balance of history and modernization. Its beaches, clubs, museums, and music make it an excellent place to visit for people of all ages.