Although the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra had been established just three years earlier, a financial crisis in 1939 threatened its continued existence. It turned to Keren Hayesod for assistance and was given a grant of £300. During this period, Keren Hayesod also helped several other important cultural institutions in the Land of Israel, including the Bezalel School of Art and Design, the Habima Theatre, the Ohel Workers Theatre and the Bialik Institute of Culture and Literature. Keren Hayesod provided support to build the first, beautiful concert hall in the Tel Aviv Exhibition Grounds, whose premiere concert was held in the 1930s, and to renovate Heichal Hatarbut, the home concert hall of the Philharmonic Orchestra to this day.
Photo: The Philharmonic Orchestra on Mt. Scopus, January 1943