Independence Hall (Israel)
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Independence Hall, originally the Dizengoff House (Template:Langx), is a history museum and the site of the signing of Israel's Declaration of Independence. It is located on the historic Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel.
It was originally built as the home of Meir Dizengoff and his wife Zina. Dizengoff later entrusted architect Carl Rubin to redesign the building in the International Style. Dizengoff gifted the building to the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, and it housed the Tel Aviv Museum of Art from 1932 to 1971. It is currently a museum dedicated to the signing of the Israeli Declaration of Independence and the history of Tel Aviv; Template:Asof it is closed to the public for renovations.
HistoryEdit
DizengoffEdit
At the vicinity of where Independence Hall now stands, 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.<ref name=ynet/> It was originally a simple and symmetrical house, built of kurkar stone.<ref name=ynet/>
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 Altneuland (English: Old-New Land), unanimously decided to rename their neighborhood Tel Aviv. As the neighborhood grew and became a city, Dizengoff became its first mayor.<ref name=ynet/> Zina was a socialite and hosted European-style salon gatherings at the home.<ref name=ynet/>
Dizengoff made several renovations to the property, including the addition of a rear wing where the declaration of independence took place. Dizengoff hired the architect, Carl Rubin, who redesigned the building in the international style.<ref name=ynet/>
Tel Aviv Museum of ArtEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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. In 1933, the museum hired the art historian, Dr. Karl Schwarz to head the burgeoning museum. Schwarz immigrated to Mandatory Palestine to take up the position, leaving behind his role as head of Berlin's first Jewish museum.<ref name=ta>History Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Retrieved on 24 November 2024</ref> At the time of his appointment he wrote a guest column for Haaretz newspaper, setting out his vision for the museum: "A nurturing institution, from which education will emerge, reflecting the artistic development in other countries; where one can study the works of the country's great artists; [and] which fosters and provides for artists living and working in the country — a place where new ideas are given impetus. That is what the Tel Aviv Museum should be.”<ref name=ta/> He stayed on with the museum until 1947, enhancing the art collection, preparing exhibitions and creating a library for the history of art and cinema.<ref name=ta/>The museum moved to its current location at 27 Shaul Hamelech Blvd, in 1971. The larger, purpose-built building was more appropriate and allowed the museum to expand.<ref name=ta/>
Independence declarationEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In the main hall of the building, at 4 PM on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar 5708), in the presence of the members of the Vaad Leumi (Jewish National Council) and the leaders of the Yishuv, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, eight hours before the British Mandate of Palestine was due to end. After Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of Independence, Rabbi Fischman (Maimon) recited the Shehecheyanu blessing, and the Declaration was signed. The ceremony concluded with the singing of Hatikvah, now Israel's national anthem.<ref name=ynet/>
In the 24 hours prior to the ceremony, considerable efforts were made to prepare the hall.<ref name=ynet/> A $200 budget was allocated for the decor and decorations, and Israeli flags were loaned from the Jewish National Fund.<ref name=ynet/> Seating for the audiences was also provided by nearby cafes.<ref name=ynet/> A small stage was also constructed, made from timber purchases at a thrift store.<ref name=ynet/> A portrait of Theodor Herzl was also hung in a central position above the stage.<ref name=ynet/> Art works portraying nudity were covered, carpets were laid on the floors and windows were darkened over fears of an air raid.<ref name=ynet/> The invited guests were sworn to secrecy and the art museum was closed to the public during these preparations.<ref name=ynet>110 שנות היסטוריה: סיפורו של הבית שבו נולדה המדינה YNet. 6 May 2022</ref> In spite of the pact of secrecy, a crowd formed outside the building at noon on the day of the ceremony.<ref name=ynet/> The declaration and celebrations were photographed by Rudi Weissenstein.<ref>The Photohouse The National Library of Israel. Retrieved on 24 November 2024</ref>
Recent historyEdit
By the 1970s, the building was in a neglected physical state, crumbling and with mice problems.<ref name=ynet/> In 1978, the hall was restored to resemble its appearance at the time of the declaration of independence and opened to the public. It has since been a museum dedicated to the signing of the declaration and the history of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The upper floors of the building have housed a Bible museum, featuring archaeological artifacts and works of art with biblical themes.
However, as the surrounding Rothschild Boulevard underwent a revival, and neighboring properties were restored, the hall appeared shabby and rundown in the 1990s and 2000s.<ref name=ynet/> In 2009, the "Independence House Law" was enacted to "restore and preserve the building [...] as it is of national and historical importance in the history of the people and the state." Urgent renovations on the building were undertaken by architect Uri Glazer in 2012. During these works, a ceramic relief by German-born Israeli artist, Chava Samuel was discovered behind a board.<ref>Renovations Reveal Historic Ceramic at Tel Aviv's Independence Hall Haaretz. 22 November 2012</ref>
In 2013, it was revealed that the building was earmarked for a major renovation project in the coming years, creating an "innovative museum" in the space.<ref>Israel's Independence Hall to Be Restored Under National Heritage Program Haaretz. 15 January 2013</ref> The building is currently closed to the public as it undergoes these extensive renovations.<ref>Independence Hall Secret Tel Aviv. Retrieved on 23 November 2024</ref> Glazer and Gal & Matsliah Architects won a design competition to restore the building and are being assisted by the engineer, Moshe Kazes.<ref name=ynet/>
GalleryEdit
- PikiWiki Israel 69787 telaviv council in dizengoffi39s house.jpg
16 Rothschild Boulevard (Dizengoff House), home of Meir and Zina Dizengoff, in 1910, Dershowitz collection
- Karl Schwarz Tel aviv musem003.jpg
Art historian, Dr. Karl Schwarz, who headed TA Museum of Art, 1935
- Karl Schwarz Tel aviv musem004.jpg
Dr. Karl Schwarz at Tel Aviv Art Museum in 1935
- Karl Schwarz Tel aviv musem005.jpg
Carl Rubin, Meir Dizengoff and Moshe Kaniuk during the renovation of the Tel Aviv Museum, 1935, Meir Dizengoff Collection, Eretz Israel Museum.
- Karl Schwarz Tel aviv musem007.jpg
Walter Tzedek, Meir Dizengoff's coffin placed in the Tel Aviv Museum, September 24, 1936. Meir Dizengoff Collection, Eretz Israel Museum.
- Karl Schwarz Tel aviv musem010.jpg
Avraham Soskin, Hall of Eastern European Art, 1939, Collection of the Eretz Israel Museum.
- Karl Schwarz Tel aviv musem011.jpg
Avraham Soskin, Tel Aviv Museum Library, upper floor (after 1946-1947), Eretz Israel Museum collection.
- Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - Tel Avivians waiting for the delegates to leave the museum building after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.jpg
Locals gathered outside as Independence was declared inside the building on 14 May, 1948
- Invitation to the Independence Ceremony P1080466.JPG
Invitation to the Independence Ceremony
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Rudi Weissenstein, the declaration of independence ceremony, 14 May 1948
- PikiWiki Israel 46947 Tel Aviv Museum building.jpg
Tel Aviv Art Museum between 1948-1951
- Tel Aviv-Yafo (997008136679805171).jpg
Beno Rothenberg, museum visitors in 1954
- היכל העצמאות.jpg
Independence Hall in 2013
- PikiWiki Israel 74102 the house of independence.jpg
Renovations underway at Independence Hall in 2023
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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