Tichon Ironi Alef
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Ironi Alef High School (), previously Gymnasia Balfour (), is a notable high school located in
Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( or , ; ), sometimes rendered as Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and usually referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the Gush Dan metropolitan area of Israel. Located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline and with a popula ...
, Israel. Also known as Aleph High School of Arts Tel Aviv-Yafo.


History


Gymnasia Balfour

The Gymnasia Balfour was founded in 1931 by as a private gymnasium, Real Balfour Gymnasia (). Koler decided to build the gymnasium similar in spirit to those in Europe which would provide its students education in Hebrew that would allow them to enter a university. He had previously managed a government-run gymnasium in Galicia (modern-day Poland). The school was situated on Mazeh Street in Tel Aviv, near the water tower. Koler carefully chose the teachers for the school – most of whom were immigrants from
Eastern Europe Eastern Europe is a subregion of the Europe, European continent. As a largely ambiguous term, it has a wide range of geopolitical, geographical, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic connotations. Its eastern boundary is marked by the Ural Mountain ...
whom he knew personally from his days in Poland. In addition to general curriculum, selective students were given an opportunity to partake in a business school. These students did not continue their extended studies in English, Hebrew and mathematics. The school quickly developed into a very prestigious and selective institution, providing the highest levels of education in the country. The school became a Jewish cultural with national values. Due to its great success, Koler founded a second school in
Ramat Gan Ramat Gan (, ) is a city in the Tel Aviv District of Israel, located east of the municipality of Tel Aviv, and is part of the Gush Dan, Gush Dan metropolitan area. It is home to a Diamond Exchange District (one of the world's major diamond exch ...
called Ohel Shem. In 1935, Paul Rieger took over as the head of the school. During those years Rieger had significant influence on the school. He improved the teaching methods, and increased the level of education. The results were evident in the significant increase in the number of applicants. In 1943 Rieger left the school to be the head of . He was succeeded by David Rachavi (Rakowitzki).


Ironi Alef

In July 1947 the school discontinued its private operations and was sold to the Tel Aviv municipality. It had since been renamed to Ironi Alef High School (). Even after becoming a public school, the school maintained its prestigious standing. After its sale to the Tel Aviv municipality and during the first few years after the
creation of Israel The history of Israel covers an area of the Southern Levant also known as Canaan, Palestine, or the Holy Land, which is the geographical location of the modern states of Israel and Palestine. From a prehistory as part of the critical Lev ...
the school continued to be directed by David Rachavi at its previous address. The school was than relocated to Shprintsak Street in Tel Aviv. Dr. Joseph Fried replaced Rachavi from 1963 until 1975. In 1976 he was succeeded by David Ben-Zvi until 1980. Due to demographic changes in Tel Aviv and the aging population around the school, the school saw a decline in the number of students. This led to an initiative by Ilana Minkin, the director of the school from 1981 until 2000, to establish an art school as part of the school. The initiative corresponded well with its location, next to institutions like the
Habima Theatre The Habima Theatre ( ''Te'atron HaBima'', lit. "The Stage Theatre") is the List of national theatres, national theatre of Israel and one of the first Hebrew language theatres. It is located in Habima Square in the center of Tel Aviv. History ...
and the
Tel Aviv Museum of Art The Tel Aviv Museum of Art ( ''Muzeon Tel Aviv Leomanut'') is an art museum in Tel Aviv, Israel. The museum is dedicated to the preservation and display of modern and contemporary art both from Israel and around the world. History The Tel Aviv ...
. The move proved to be successful, increasing the number of students and producing many notable artists such as Maor Cohen,
Rami Heuberger Rami Heuberger (; born 12 October 1963) is an Israeli actor, comedian and theatre director. Biography Career in the theater After his army service, Heuberger studied acting at Nissan Nativ's acting studio in Tel Aviv. At the end of his studies, ...
, Erez Tal, and Danielle Wircer.


Notable alumni

*
Rami Heuberger Rami Heuberger (; born 12 October 1963) is an Israeli actor, comedian and theatre director. Biography Career in the theater After his army service, Heuberger studied acting at Nissan Nativ's acting studio in Tel Aviv. At the end of his studies, ...
, (1963–), director, actor and entertainer *
David Libai David Libai (; 22 October 1934 – 23 December 2023) was an Israeli jurist and politician. He was a member of the Knesset for Labor from 1984 to 1996 and served as minister of justice from 1992 to 1996. Biography David Libai was born on 22 Octob ...
(1934–), jurist and former politician * Shlomo Lipetz (born 1979), baseball player *
Tzipi Livni Tziporah Malka "Tzipi" Livni (, ; born 8 July 1958) is an Israeli politician, diplomat and lawyer. A former member of the Knesset and leader in the center-left political camp, Livni is a former Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel), foreign mini ...
(1958–), politician, served as Israel's foreign minister *
Shimon Peres Shimon Peres ( ; ; born Szymon Perski, ; 2 August 1923 – 28 September 2016) was an Israeli politician and statesman who served as the prime minister of Israel from 1984 to 1986 and from 1995 to 1996 and as the president of Israel from 2007 t ...
(1923–2016), Served as Prime Minister and as President of Israel, Nobel Laureate * Amos de-Shalit (1926–1969), Israeli nuclear physicist * Erez Tal (1961–), actor and television host * Yon Tumarkin (1989–), actor * Rafael Vardi (1922–2016), IDF Major General, former head of the
Manpower Directorate The Israeli Personnel Directorate (, ''Agaf Koakh Adam'', abbreviated to AKA), formerly called the Manpower Directorate and the Human Resources Directorate, is the Israel Defense Forces The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; , ), alternatively ...
* Israel Yeivin (1923–2008), Linguist, scholar of Masorah and the Hebrew language *
Dana International Sharon Cohen (; born 2 February 1969), professionally known as Dana International (), is an Israeli Pop music, pop singer. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums. She was the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest ...
(1969 -), singer and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 * Bar Paly (1982 -), actress and model


References


External links


Ironi Alef
{{Coord, 32, 4, 17.14, N, 34, 47, 2.45, E, type:landmark_region:IL, display=title High schools in Israel Educational institutions established in 1931 1931 establishments in Mandatory Palestine Schools in Tel Aviv