Independence Hall, originally the Dizengoff House (Hebrew: בית דיזנגוף) is best known as the site of the signing of Israel's Declaration of Independence. It is found in Tel Aviv, Israel. Today a museum, it houses exhibits on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and on the history of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. From 1932 until 1971 it housed the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. It is found on the historic Rothschild Boulevard.
Orgins
On this site 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. Meir Dizengoff served as the head of the new neighborhood council. As the neighborhood grew and became a city, Dizengoff became the first mayor of the city of Tel Aviv.
Town hall
In 1910, at a general meeting, the residents of Ahuzat Bait, inspired by Theodor Herzl's book Altneuland (translated into Hebrew as Tel Aviv), unanimously decided to rename their neighborhood to Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
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 became the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in 1932, moving to its current location in 1971.
Independence
The first Israeli Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, made the proclamation at 4pm on May 14, 1948 in the main hall, eight hours before the British mandate over the region was due to end, in the presence of the members of the Vaad Leumi (Jewish National Council), as well as the leaders of the Jewish community.
After David Ben-Gurion read the declaration of independence, Rabbi Fischman (Maimon), recited the Shehecheyanu blessing, and the Declaration of Independence was signed. The ceremony concluded with the singing of Hatikvah.
See also
Today
In 1978, Independence Hall was restored and opened to the public. It now houses exhibits on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and on the history of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
Gallery
 The main hall of the building as it appeared in 2004 |
 The entrance to the hall in late 2004 |
External links
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