A new Jewish neighborhood was dedicated in Jerusalem this afternoon, opposite Damascus Gate. MK Rabbi Benny Elon, a prime mover of the project for a while now, explained some of the background to Arutz-7 today:
\"Many years ago, in 1875, a Jew named Reb Nissan Bek established a Jewish neighborhood in this spot, and some years later, some Jews from Georgia (Asia) built 100 homes opposite Damascus Gate. It was a Jewish neighborhood until the pogroms of 1929, during which 19 Jews were murdered and buried in a mass grave in Mt. of Olives. Two synagogues used to stand on the spot that is now used as an Arab parking lot... Since then, the Arabs took over the neighborhood, but thank G-d over the past several years we have been able to redeem about a third of the homes - dozens of homes are now in Jewish hands. Two families have been living there for a number of months.\" He explained that until now the work of redeeming the neighborhood was done quietly, because of the dangers involved, but now \"it is time to get more people and resources involved... Just like in the Shimon HaTzaddik neighborhood, which is once again becoming Jewish, here too, and elsewhere, the Arabs take the money and leave - to Australia, Austria, etc. It is clear that we are more connected to these lands than they are, and we have to encourage them to take the money and go…\" For more information, contact \"chaim@uvnehyerushalayim.org\".
\"Many years ago, in 1875, a Jew named Reb Nissan Bek established a Jewish neighborhood in this spot, and some years later, some Jews from Georgia (Asia) built 100 homes opposite Damascus Gate. It was a Jewish neighborhood until the pogroms of 1929, during which 19 Jews were murdered and buried in a mass grave in Mt. of Olives. Two synagogues used to stand on the spot that is now used as an Arab parking lot... Since then, the Arabs took over the neighborhood, but thank G-d over the past several years we have been able to redeem about a third of the homes - dozens of homes are now in Jewish hands. Two families have been living there for a number of months.\" He explained that until now the work of redeeming the neighborhood was done quietly, because of the dangers involved, but now \"it is time to get more people and resources involved... Just like in the Shimon HaTzaddik neighborhood, which is once again becoming Jewish, here too, and elsewhere, the Arabs take the money and leave - to Australia, Austria, etc. It is clear that we are more connected to these lands than they are, and we have to encourage them to take the money and go…\" For more information, contact \"chaim@uvnehyerushalayim.org\".