[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img] Dateline Jerusalem — Often I am asked about the town of Rehovot where I have resided the past four years. I describe it as a town since the main street looks something like old-time Main Street in middle America with its towering trees shading the sidewalks and sweet smelling orange trees adding to the aromas of falafel and shwarma stands, tiny bakeries and pizza parlors, canopied or umbrella outdoor dining areas of various cafes and coffee houses where people eat while listening to street musicians. These are alongside hundreds of small shoe stores, clothing boutiques, appliance stores, book shops and old-fashioned hardware stores that line the boulevard. Yet, Rehovot, which means “wide expanses,” no longer is the small town founded in 1890. It is the 14th largest city in Israel with a population of about 120,000.
Known as the “City of Citrus, Culture and Science” whose emblem consists of an orange, book and microscope, Rehovot also has been dubbed University City. It is the home of the world famous research and teaching Weizmann Institute of Science, named after the first President of Israel, the Dept. of Agriculture for Hebrew University of Jerusalem (the Harvard of Israel) and Hebrew U.'s medical school teaching hospital, Kaplan Hospital. Rehovot's Science Park often is called the Silicon Valley of Israel. There are smaller colleges and a hands-on science and technology center whose motto is, “Knowledge through fun.” Hence, the microscope is the symbol for science.
An Orange Legacy
The symbol of an orange reflects Rehovot's first citrus orchard, planted in 1904. Besides the citrus groves, there were vineyards and almond orchards. Almost every side street has an historical building or the roofless brick remains of a building sitting next to modern apartments. I visited a friend the other day who lives across the street from a decrepit structure that used to be a winery. Now it is a preserved historical site with 19 large wine vats and an area where people used to stomp on the grapes. It reminded me of the old TV show “I Love Lucy” episode where Lucy and her friend Ethyl are stomping on grapes. Old-fashioned tractors and farm equipment are in the center of town to remind everyone of the agricultural nature of old Rehovot. Tourist attractions include the Tenuva Dairy and Minkov orchard museum.
As for culture, Rehovot has art galleries and museums, a music conservatory, and it is noted for hosting the “Women's International Film Festival.” Rehovot is home to several famous Israeli writers and poets. Historically, the Ayalon Institute, on a kibbutz in the north end of the city, is famous for being a clandestine underground munitions and bullet factory. While most people living on the kibbutz worked in the fields, a group of young adults would make bullets for Israel's War of Independence. The factory was hidden underground beneath a laundry and bakery on the kibbutz. And because the young munitions workers did not get tan from working in the fields like the other kibbutz members, they would sit under sunlamps before going home every day so as not to cause any suspicions about their activities. Even family members and friends were not aware of what they were doing.
As for shopping, there is a shuk (bazaar), Israel's largest outdoor outlet mall, thousands of small shops, and Israel's 9th largest indoor mall. If only I had the money to buy up all the bargains Rehovot has to offer. This town is a shopaholic's delight. Last, not least, there is a road that goes around the city with sidewalks for bikers and joggers. Those who want a little more exercise can take advantage of the gym and exercise equipment up and down the jogging path that circles the city.
Rehovot is an interesting and fun place to live.
L'hitraot. Shachar.