Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha'ananim

The Yemin Moshe Quarter
Named for Sir Moses Montefiore, Yemin Moshe is a small, charming suburb facing the western side of the Old City. There are about 130 houses in this picturesque neighborhood, which was first established outside the Old City walls in 1891.

During the War of independence, Yemin Moshe was completely surrounded by the enemy for months, but it held out heroically. The border between Jordan and Israel was located just below Yemin Moshe in the Hinnom Valley. The quarter was abandoned during the 19 years of the Jordanian occupation of the Old City before the Six Day War in 1967, because of the danger of snipers from the Old City Walls and the neighborhood deteriorated dramatically.

After the Six Day War, the quarter was renovated and it has since attracted a number of artists whose works are sold in the area's galleries.

Judah Touro (1775-1854)
An American Jewish merchant, Judah Touro made his fortune in New Orleans in the beginning of the 19th-century, he bequeathed $60,000 to the Jews of the Holy Land, a legacy that would have startling, long-range consequences. Indeed, as a result of his generosity, the situation of Jerusalem's Jews was to improve beyond recognition; the first houses Montefiore built from Touro's funds outside the congested Old City, led in time, to a whole New Jerusalem growing up outside the walls. This was the first contribution from American Jewry for the Land of Israel.

Touro chose Sir Moses Monefiore as executor of his estate.

Moses Montefiore (1774-1885)
Moses montefiore born on 24th of October, 1784 at Leghorn (Livorno) in Italy, settled with his parents' family in England. He was the most renowned Jew of the 19th century, and became famous through his tireless efforts on behalf of his Jewish brethren.

As befitted one of the leading Sephardi families of London, Moses' father gave all his children a sound general education, which included Jewish studies. In 1812, Moses Montefiore married Judith, daughter of Levi Barent-Cohen. She shared his ideas and ideals and was his helpmate and companion on his travels. After her death Sir Moses continued his travels alone.

Through marriage ties with the Rothschilds, Motefiore's business flourished and included commercial activities in banking and insurance companies, as well as the Imperial Gas Association, which he founded.

On reaching forty Montefiore retired from business, determined to devote his life to the service of his people and country.

In 1836, Montefiore was elected one of the Sheriffs of the City of London, and the following year was knighted by Queen Victoria. Sir Moses Motefiore visited the Holy Land seven times: In 1827, 1839, 1849, 1855, 1857, 1866 and finally in 1875, when he was already ninety one years of age. On his second journey, he wrote in his diary: "By degree I hope to induce the return of thousands of our brethren to the land of Israel. I am sure they would be happy in the enjoyment of the observance of our holy religion, in a manner which is impossible in Europe,". Several decades later he said: "I do not except that all Israelites will quit their abodes in those territories in which they feel happy... but Palestine must belong to the Jews, and Jerusalem is destined to become the seat of a Jewish Empire".

On his fourth journey, Sir Moses Montefiore purchased the land on which "Mishkenot Sha'ananim", the first Jewish buildings outside the Old City walls were built.

On the same visit he bought an orchard near Jaffa with 1407 trees. This land later became the Montefiore Quarter of Tel Aviv.

Sir Moses Montefiore launched many projects for the benefit of the Jewish community in the country. Among the projects were:

• 1842 - modern press was sent to Israel Bak who founded the first printing press in Jerusalem.
• 1843 - Dr. Shimon Frankel was sent to Jerusalem to open a dispensary.
• 1854 - A textile workshop was founded in Jerusalem.
• 1855 - Through funds bequeathed by above mentioned Judah Touro, Sir Moses Montefiore purchased the land on which the "Mishkenot Sha'ananim" and the "Yemin Moshe" quarter were built; the same year a vocational school for girls was opened.
• 1857 - The windmill was erected to provide the poor of Jerusalem with flour at a reduced price.
• 1860 - The first building of "Mishkenot Sha'ananim" was completed.

In July 1885, in his 101th year, Sir Moses Motefiore died and was buried beside his wife at Ramsgate. under his head was placed a stone from Jerusalem, bearing the inscription "For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof" (Psalms 102:14).

Sir Moses Montefiore was active not only on behalf of the Jews of the Land of Israel, but also the Jewish communities of Syria, Iran, Romania, Morocco and Russia!

The Montefiore Windmill

Erected in 1857, 18 meters high, for that time the Windmill was an ultra-modern one for grinding grain into flour. Despite the curses of local Arabs not happy with the competition, it continued to turn until steam-powered mills made it obsolete.

During the War of Independence it served an observation point for Jewish fighters. In an attempt to hinder the Israeli defense, the British Authorities blew up the top of the windmill in an operation derisively dubbed by the Jewish population "Operation Don Quixote". Today, the Windmill is a museum dedicated to the life and works - and in remembrance of Sir Moses Montefiore.

Mishkenot Sha'ananim

Mishkenot Sha'ananim comprise two buildings, the first one was completed by 1860, containing 28 one-and-a-half room apartments. Also included in the compound were a water cistern, complete with a revolutionary iron pump, a ritual bath, and an oven.

The second, smaller building was constructed in 1866, about the time that cholera epidemic raged inside the Old City. Until that time, living outside the walls of the Old City seemed dangerous. Some of the people who maintained homes in Motefiore's new neighborhood refused to stay there overnight. But that year, residents decided that robbers and wild animals were less menacing than the deadly cholera, so they moved into their homes outside the walls.

Today, the first larger building serves as hotel for visiting writers, musicians and artists.
In the second and smaller building the Jerusalem Music Center is located.

Compiled by: Pinhas Baraq
from the following sources: