Besides its numerous other attractions, the City of Beverly Hills will now boast a Theodor Herzl Way.
On May 2, the 150th anniversary of Herzl’s birth date, one block of Clark Drive will be officially renamed and dedicated in honor of the founder of modern Zionism. The block is dominated by Temple
Emanuel, a leading Reform synagogue.
The dedication will also honor Herzliya, Beverly Hills’ sister city in Israel.
The new street name was proposed to the city council by Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad, apparently the first and only Iranian Jewish immigrant at the helm of an American city.
Two council members objected to the name change, fearing a possible breach in the separation of church and state, but they were outvoted.
Israeli Consul General Yaakov Dayan warmly supported the Delshad initiative. “It gives me tremendous pride to see a piece of Israel’s heritage and culture amidst this beautiful city,” Dayan said.
The dedication ceremony will take place between 11 a.m. and 1p.m. on May 2 in front of Temple Emanuel.
