Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Herzliya Hebrew High Schoolהגימנסיה העברית הרצליה
HaGymnasia HaIvrit Herzliya |
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Herzliya Hebrew High School, 1936
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| Coordinates | 32°5′13.11″N 34°47′5.38″E / 32.0869750°N 34.7848278°E |
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| Established | 1905 |
| Principal | Ze'ev Dgannie |
The Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium (Hebrew: הַגִּימְנַסְיָה הָעִבְרִית הֶרְצְלִיָּה, romanized: HaGimnasya Haivrit Herzliya), often called Gymnasia Herzliya, is a famous high school in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was the first high school in the world to teach all its subjects in the Hebrew language. Many people who studied or taught here became very important figures in Israel's history.
Contents
History of Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium
How the School Started
The idea for the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium began in 1904, after the passing of Theodor Herzl, a key leader in the Zionist movement. People wanted to build a special Hebrew city and a Hebrew high school in his honor. This school would help keep the Hebrew language and culture alive.
The Herzliya Gymnasium was founded in 1905 by Dr. Yehuda Metman-Cohen and his wife. It started in Jaffa, which was part of the Ottoman Empire back then. This school was truly special because it was the first high school anywhere to teach everything in Hebrew.
The First Building of the Gymnasium
In 1909, a new, iconic building for the school was built on Herzl Street. This street later became a central part of Tel Aviv. The building was designed by Joseph Barsky, who was inspired by descriptions of Solomon's Temple.
The school building was a major landmark. It was placed in a way that people passing by on the train could easily see it. The Gymnasium quickly became a social and cultural center for the new neighborhood, which was called Ahuzat Bayit (the original name for Tel Aviv).
Many important events happened at the Gymnasium. It hosted neighborhood meetings, discussions about building the new city, concerts, plays, and cultural evenings. It was also where youth groups like the Tel Aviv Scouts and Machanot HaOlim began. During World War II, the building even served as a hospital.
The founder, Dr. Metman, hoped the school would raise a generation of smart and thoughtful Hebrew speakers. His dream came true. The school attracted many students, including those from other countries whose parents wanted them to have a Hebrew education. Over the years, many graduates became leaders, writers, scientists, and artists who helped shape Israeli culture and education.
Even today, thousands of Herzliya Gymnasium graduates are active in Israeli culture, entertainment, arts, and academics.
Why the Original Building Was Demolished
The beautiful building on Herzl Street was a key landmark in Tel Aviv until July 1959. Sadly, it was torn down to make way for the Shalom Meir Tower. This new tower was the tallest building in Israel at the time.
The destruction of the school building made many people angry. It made them realize how important it was to protect historical places. Because of this, the Council for Conservation of Heritage Sites in Israel was created in the 1980s.
The Current School Building
Today, the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium is located on Jabotinsky Street in Tel Aviv. It is a six-year secondary school, meaning it includes both middle school and high school grades. The entrance to the modern campus has a gate that looks like the front of the original 1909 building, honoring its history.
School Leaders and Principals
Many important people have served as principals of the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium. These include Haim Bograshov, Baruch Ben Yehuda, and Carmi Yogev.
In 1992, Ron Huldai, a former Air Force pilot, became the principal. He brought many new ideas and changes to the school, which were later used by other schools. After leaving the school, he was elected mayor of Tel Aviv in 1998, a position he still holds as of August 2025. The current principal is Ze'ev Dgannie.
Notable Teachers at Herzliya Gymnasium
Many talented people taught at the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium, including:
- Yosef Haim Brenner, a famous writer
- Joseph Constant, a sculptor and writer
- Yitzhak Frenkel, a painter and sculptor
- Zvi Nishri, a pioneer in physical education
- Shaul Tchernichovsky, a well-known poet
Famous Graduates of Herzliya Gymnasium
Many students who graduated from Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium went on to become famous and influential people in Israel and beyond. Here are a few examples:
- Netiva Ben-Yehuda (1928–2011), a commander in the Palmach and a Hebrew scholar.
- Miriam Bernstein-Cohen (1895–1991), a well-known actress.
- Nachum Gutman (1898–1980), a painter, sculptor, and author.
- Ron Huldai (born 1940), the current mayor of Tel Aviv.
- Yair Lapid (born 1963), a former Israeli Prime Minister and politician.
- Anat Lelior (born 2000), an Olympic surfer.
- Moshe Sharett (1894–1965), who became the second Prime Minister of Israel.
- Giora Spiegel (born 1947), a famous soccer player and coach.
- Shemuel Yeivin (1896–1982), an important archaeologist.
