Kiryat HaYovel facts for kids
Kiryat HaYovel (which means "Jubilee Town" in Hebrew) is a neighborhood located in southwestern Jerusalem, near Mount Herzl. It was built in the early 1950s to provide homes for many new families arriving in Israel. Today, about 25,000 people live in Kiryat HaYovel.
This neighborhood is found along the main road that leads to Hadassah Hospital and Ein Kerem. It sits between the neighborhoods of Ramat Denya and Kiryat Menachem.
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A Look Back: History of Kiryat HaYovel
Kiryat HaYovel was created in 1952. It was built to welcome thousands of Jewish people who had to leave their homes in Arab and Muslim countries. This happened around the time the State of Israel was founded.
In the very beginning, the area was like a "tent city." People lived in tents while new homes, called shikunim, were quickly built for them. The neighborhood was named Kiryat HaYovel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Jewish National Fund, an organization that helps develop land in Israel.
Because so many homes were needed quickly, a special rule was changed for Kiryat HaYovel. Usually, all buildings in Jerusalem must be covered with Jerusalem stone. But in Kiryat HaYovel, this rule was set aside. Many of the early buildings had flat roofs and simple, plain walls, and you can still see examples of this style today.
Life and Culture in Kiryat HaYovel
Kiryat HaYovel has a busy shopping area, a community center, and a library. It also has three public swimming pools where residents can cool off and have fun.
One of the most famous spots in the neighborhood is a unique playground sculpture called "The Golem." It's in Rabinovich Park and is often called "The Monster" (Hamifletzet in Hebrew). This playful sculpture has three red tongues that kids can use as slides! It was designed by a famous French artist named Niki de Saint Phalle.
Many streets in Kiryat HaYovel are named after countries in Latin America. This is because representatives from these countries at the United Nations voted to support the creation of Israel in 1947.
Hospitals and Care Centers
ALYN Hospital is located in Kiryat HaYovel. This hospital is a special place that helps children, teenagers, and young adults who have physical challenges or disabilities. They provide rehabilitation to help young people improve their health and abilities.
Famous People from Kiryat HaYovel
- Teddy Kollek: He was the Mayor of Jerusalem for many years, from 1965 to 1993.
- Eli Ohana: A well-known soccer player.
