Another moving ceremony marking yet the latest stage in reclaiming Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem was held yesterday in the area known as the Yemenite Village. Located near the City of David, below and just to the southeast of the Temple Mount, the area was home to many Jewish families, mostly from Yemen, from the 1880's until 1938. On Aug. 11, 1938, the British evacuated the last 30 families from the neighborhood, following a long period of Arab riots, pogroms and looting. "The British gave assurances that the 'Jewish refugees' would shortly return," according to Daniel Lurie, "but of course, this never happened - until this year."
Just two months ago, seven families and several singles moved into the newly reclaimed homes in the village, which over the years was illegally populated by Arab squatters. Many of the original homes, and three of the four synagogues, were destroyed over the years, but some of the buildings are still standing. Yesterday, well over 100 people, including many descendants of the original residents, took part in a festive synagogue dedication ceremony. "We were dancing through the narrow streets, singing and blowing the shofar in traditional Yemenite Jewish style," Lurie recounted. "One man who grew up there as a child remembered some of the buildings."
The synagogue is located, for now, on the top floor of one of the newly acquired buildings - a structure in which seven Jewish families now live. A member of the Yemenite community in Rehovot, which has "adopted" the neighborhood, has donated a new Holy Ark. "The only remaining synagogue of the original four is now being used by Arab squatters," Lurie said, "but we hope to purchase it as well. It's just a matter of resources."
The Yemenite Village is just one of several initiatives to rebuild old Jewish neighborhoods in Israel's capital. Organizations such as Yeshivat Ateret Cohanim, Yeshivat Beit Orot and Uvneh Yerushalayim have re-created facts on the ground in the following Jerusalem neighborhoods:
* Shimon HaTzaddik (just to the east of Route 1 connecting the Old City with northern Jerusalem);
* Beit Orot <"www.beitorot.org">, the first living Jewish presence in 2000 years on Mt. of Olives;
* Maaleh HaZeitim (just south of the Old City and Mt. of Olives);
* the City of David (beneath and to southeast of the Old City);
* and Kidmat Tziyon, otherwise known as Abu Dis, sponsored by Ateret Cohanim <"www.ateret.org.il/new/projects.php">.
Just two months ago, seven families and several singles moved into the newly reclaimed homes in the village, which over the years was illegally populated by Arab squatters. Many of the original homes, and three of the four synagogues, were destroyed over the years, but some of the buildings are still standing. Yesterday, well over 100 people, including many descendants of the original residents, took part in a festive synagogue dedication ceremony. "We were dancing through the narrow streets, singing and blowing the shofar in traditional Yemenite Jewish style," Lurie recounted. "One man who grew up there as a child remembered some of the buildings."
The synagogue is located, for now, on the top floor of one of the newly acquired buildings - a structure in which seven Jewish families now live. A member of the Yemenite community in Rehovot, which has "adopted" the neighborhood, has donated a new Holy Ark. "The only remaining synagogue of the original four is now being used by Arab squatters," Lurie said, "but we hope to purchase it as well. It's just a matter of resources."
The Yemenite Village is just one of several initiatives to rebuild old Jewish neighborhoods in Israel's capital. Organizations such as Yeshivat Ateret Cohanim, Yeshivat Beit Orot and Uvneh Yerushalayim have re-created facts on the ground in the following Jerusalem neighborhoods:
* Shimon HaTzaddik (just to the east of Route 1 connecting the Old City with northern Jerusalem);
* Beit Orot <"www.beitorot.org">, the first living Jewish presence in 2000 years on Mt. of Olives;
* Maaleh HaZeitim (just south of the Old City and Mt. of Olives);
* the City of David (beneath and to southeast of the Old City);
* and Kidmat Tziyon, otherwise known as Abu Dis, sponsored by Ateret Cohanim <"www.ateret.org.il/new/projects.php">.