History Rehavia

jewish agency building, rehavia

rehavia established on large plot of land purchased in 1921 greek orthodox church palestine land development company (pldc) , first house completed in 1924. named after moses’ grandson, “rehavia”. area known @ time ginzaria, native jerusalem plant. jewish national fund (jnf) bought land , commissioned german-jewish architect richard kaufmann design garden neighborhood. land transferred pldc in exchange lands in jezreel valley, jnf retained real-estate in neighborhood. gymnasia rehavia high school, yeshurun synagogue, , jewish agency building built on land, overlooking old city. rehavia modeled after garden cities of europe, emphasis on international style popular @ time.

the first phase, called rehavia aleph, bordered king george street east, ramban street south, ussishkin street west, , keren kayemet street north. preserve quiet character, neighborhood association allowed commercial businesses on 2 main roads @ neighborhood s edges. roads open traffic deliberately built narrow, keep them less busy , quieter. main, tree-lined boulevard bisected neighborhood open pedestrian traffic only. later expansion south, in direction of gaza street.

the prime minister s official residence aghion house , @ corner of balfour , smolenskin streets.