A project to carry out the rehabilitation of an area intimately connected with Jewish history, the Modin area, from which the Maccabean revolt against the Graeco-Syrians. 2,100 years ago, spread, was announced here today by the Jewish National Fund.
The project entails the building of two settlements, the clearing of land for agricultural purposes, the planting of a forest and the building of a road to connect the two settlements with the nearby areas of settlement. The two settlements will be called Modin, in honor of the ancient village from which the Maccabees began their revolt, and Shimon Hannassi, in honor of one of the five brothers who led the revolt. The entire project will cover an area of 10,000 duname, (2,500 acres).
The project was conceived in tribute to President Itzhak Ben Zvi on the occasion of the celebration of his 70th birthday. Funds for the work will be provided by the Labor Zionist movement in America, which has already raised $150,000 of the $350,000 needed. The Labor Zionist Organization of America is holding a special festival December 19 to raise the remainder of the funds. The entire region will bear President Ben Zvi’s name and the road between the settlements will be called Derech Hanassi – the President’s Road.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
