The Rise and Fall of a Modern Day Temple

The construction of the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium in Tel Aviv, the first secondary school to teach exclusively in Hebrew, was considered by some to be the redemption of the Jewish people from centuries of exile. Yet in many ways, it borrowed heavily on the idea of a central Temple-like structure in the heart of the community to inspire and guide, much like the two that stood in Jerusalem thousands of years ago.

Matson (G. Eric and Edith) Photograph collection at the Library of Congress.

Its cornerstone, laid in 1909 on the 10th of Av, a day traditionally associated with the destruction of the Temple, read:

“On the fourth day of the week, the tenth of the month of Menachem Av, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-one since the destruction of the Temple, in the 12th year of the Zionist Congress, the cornerstone was laid for the Hebrew Gymnasium building in Jaffa.”

The decision to build the campus on Herzl Street in Ahuzat Bayit was intentional, pushed by influential figures who encouraged the construction of a secular and liberal institution in the heart of the growing urban city, as per the progressive ideas of a new Zionist model.  It was also important for them that people could see the school from the train windows when it crossed Herzl Street.

But borrowing from the past again, Architect Joseph Barsky, was inspired by descriptions of Solomon’s Temple, and its size and splendor made it a central feature of the thriving new Jewish city.

Many important personalities in Israel’s cultural and political history passed through the halls of the Gymnasium, from the artist Nachum Gutman and poet, Avraham Shlonsky, to Israel’s second prime minister, Moshe Sharett, Tel Aviv’s long-running mayor, Ron Huldai (who also served as principal), and politician, Yair Lapid.

Over the years, the grand building deteriorated until, in 1962, the decision was made to raze it to the ground to make way for what was then the tallest high-rise in Israel, the Shalom Meir Tower.

The loss of such an iconic structure sparked a public outcry and heightened awareness of the importance of preserving buildings and places representing Israel’s modern history. This growing recognition entered the public narrative, ultimately leading to the founding of the Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS) in the 1980s. The organization’s logo is the Gymnasium building, symbolizing its mission to preserve these critical structures so that future generations will always have a strong connection to their history and heritage.

SPIHS

About SPIHS

SPIHS is the umbrella group for over 200 Israeli heritage sites across the country, which represent important places, events and people that played a pivotal role in our pathway to independence as a state. Nine of these heritage sites, including the Atlit Detention Camp and the Ayalon Institute Secret Bullet Factory, are directly operated by SPIHS.

In normal years, some 3.3 million people visit Israel’s heritage sites. SPIHS runs annual festivals, education days, musical and theatrical performances, seminars, youth movement meetups, and cultural events, telling the story of our rich heritage in an educational, immersive, and entertaining way to children and adults alike.

Since October 7, SPIHS has been operating in emergency mode. Its teams have helped tens of thousands of evacuees from Israel’s embattled borders, either traveling to their hotels and emergency centers or bringing groups to heritage sites to offer respite, and educational content to strengthen the Zionist spirit.

This summer, SPIHS launched the Heritage Summer Camps program for evacuees, where they provide free day camps for kids, guided tours for families, lectures, and many other cultural activities. These effective educational frameworks help keep kids off the streets, and contribute to their mental wellbeing during this challenging period.