'Mishkenot Sha’ananim' and 'Yemin Moshe'

Today I want to introduce you to the neighbourhood of 'Mishkenot Sha’ananim', founded by Sir Moses Montefiore - a British Jewish philanthropist - who had a dream to alleviate overcrowding & poor living conditions for the Jews inside Jerusalem’s Old City, where most lived in cramped & unsanitary housing. The name Mishkenot Sha’ananim comes from Isaiah 32:18 — “And my people shall dwell in peaceful habitation…”

The land Montefiore purchased lay outside the Old City walls, on the slope above the Valley of Hinnom (Gei Ben Hinnom), in an area that was at the time considered unsafe & therefore largely uninhabited. It was purchased by Montefiore from the Ottoman authorities during a visit to Jerusalem in 1885. The seller was the Ottoman Waqf (Islamic religious endowment), which was held under the supervision of the Ottoman Sharia courts. As a major land transfer to a foreign-backed trust the sale required authorisation from the local Ottoman governor (the mutasarrif) & confirmation from higher authorities in Istanbul.

The land was placed in trust for the Jewish community in Israel & administered by Montefiore’s foundation based in London, as part of his broader mission to improve the living conditions of Jews in Ottoman Palestine, & to encourage a self-sustaining Jewish population. All the land & property continues to be administered by the Montefiore Endowment Trust, which still maintains legal & historical ties. The trust is involved in preservation, leasing & heritage management of the properties.

The purchase was considered highly unusual because it allowed a non-Muslim foreigner to legally acquire land in a sensitive area of Jerusalem — suggesting high-level Ottoman approval.

The first structure built on the land was a gated housing complex with 28 apartments & a central water cistern.

Montefiore also purchased land which would later become 'Yemin Moshe', meaning "The Right Hand of Moses"

These new buildings had better ventilation, larger rooms, gardens & privacy; a major improvement from cramped Old City conditions.

Key Historical Features include Montefiore’s Windmill, (pictured) built in 1857, before the neighbourhood itself, to enable residents to grind flour independently.

Imported from England, the windmill was not very successful functionally; however it became a landmark of Jewish modern presence in Jerusalem. Today, it’s been restored beautifully & serves as a museum about Montefiore’s life & work.

After 1948, Yemin Moshe was on the front line, overlooking the Jordanian-held Old City; consequently, many residents left due to shelling & sniper fire.

In the 1970s, the neighbourhood was restored carefully & transformed into an artists' quarter, attracting musicians, writers & painters. Today, it is a prestigious residential area known for its quiet stone alleyways, lush gardens artists’ studios & galleries & the Jerusalem Music Centre (founded by violinist Isaac Stern)

While there are occasional open-air concerts & cultural events, strict preservation laws protect the architecture & green spaces.

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Photo credit: נחום זאב פלד