Holon (Hebrew: חוֹלוֹן[χoˈlon]ⓘ) is a city on the central coastal strip of Israel, south of Tel Aviv. Holon is part of the metropolitan Gush Dan area. In 2022 it had a population of 197,957,[1] making it the tenth most populous city in Israel. Holon has the second-largest industrial zone in Israel, after Haifa.[2] Its jurisdiction is 19,200 dunams and its population is about 194,273 residents as of 2018 according to CBS data.[3]
Etymology
The name of the city comes from the Hebrew word חוֹלוֹן 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).[4]
History
Kiryat Avoda, Holon, 1938
Holon was founded in 1935 on sand dunes six kilometers (3.7 miles) from Tel Aviv.[5] The Łódzia textile factory was established there by Jewish immigrants from Łódź, Poland, along with many other industrial enterprises.[5] In February 1936, the cornerstone was laid for Kiryat Avoda, a Modernist building complex designed by architect Joseph Neufeld to solve the shortage of housing for municipal workers.[6]
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, a Palestinianattack at a crowded bus stop in Holon killed eight Israelis and injured twenty-five.[7] The image of Holon as a working-class dormitory community has changed over the years.
Holon Mall
Through municipal efforts, the city has been rebranded as a child-friendly city. It offers family attractions such as the Yamit Water Park, the Israeli Children's Museum, and the Israel Museum of Caricature and Comics.[8]
Peres Park
Historic landmarks in Holon slated for preservation include Derech Habitachon ("Safe Road"), paved during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War; 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.[9] A new neighborhood, Migdalim Bashdera, is under construction,[when?] with plans for 23 upscale residential towers, a new city hall, several cultural and commercial centers, some of them already built. A French urban planner was commissioned to design a north-south boulevard with pedestrian walks, bicycle paths, sports fields, parks and waterfalls.[8]
The last undeveloped land reserve remaining in Holon is the H-500 Holon plan, that consists of approximately 4,080 dunams in the south of the city, and is intended to consist of 13,700 dwelling units in total.[10]
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.[13] Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman runs a summer music camp in the city for young violinists.[14]
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.[15] 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.[16]
Holon Children's Museum - inaugurated in 2001, located in Peres Park in the southeast of the city.
Israeli Center for Digital Art - inaugurated in 2001, promotes digital art in Israel.
Israeli Museum of Caricature and Comics - inaugurated in 2007, a museum that presents works by Israeli artists on the subjects of comics and cartoons.
Médiathèque (Holon) - inaugurated in 2004, one part of it is the largest and most sophisticated public library in Israel. The second part is a theater for young people.
Historical Vehicle Museum - contains a rare collection of "Egged" historical buses, some of them from before the establishment of the state. All buses are restored to their authentic condition and are roadworthy. The museum is located on the grounds of the "Egged" Holon parking lot in the south of the city, in Kiryat Ben-Gurion.
The Puppet Theater Center- The center contains the Museum of the Art of Puppetry, a performance hall and the School of the Art of Puppetry.[19] The International Festival of Puppet Theater and Film, featuring puppet makers and artists from Israel and around the world, has been held annually in July since 1995 at the Puppet Theater Center in Holon.[20]
Samaritan community
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.[21]
Israel
Tel Aviv
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