Maine in Tel Aviv - The American Colony

You have probably heard about the famous American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem but did you know that there is also an American Colony in Jaffa established in 1866 by a group of Christians from Maine, USA?

Thirty-five families set sail on the Nellie Chapin but were unprepared for the hardships that lay ahead. They erected their wooden houses from prefabricated pieces, which they had brought with them. However, diseases, the climate, the insecure and arbitrary treatment by the Ottoman authorities, made many colonists wish to return home.

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In front of the Maine Friendship House with Jean Homes

 

George J. Adams, leader of the American Colony made his purpose clear. "We are going [to Jaffa] to become practical benefactors of the land and people, to take the lead in developing its great resources.” “We have no purpose to interfere with their religion.” Their purpose was not to missionize but instead to assist the Jewish people.

 

By 1870 the houses were sold to the German Templers who established other settlements in Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Galilee.

 

Very little remains of the wooden homes built by the first American settlers who embarked on their arduous journey over 150 years ago from the shores of Maine to the port of Jaffa. However, due to the determination of one couple, it is possible to visit one of the original homes which has been lovingly restored by Jean and Reed Holmes - the Maine Friendship House

 

The museum houses artifacts about the original settlers including documents and clothing. Make sure you watch the short movie which is screened in the basement of the house.

 

The house on Auerbach Street can be visited Friday 12:00 - 15:00, Saturday 14:00 - 16:00.

Visits can be arranged at other times by calling: 03-6819225.

 



History in Black and White

From David Ben Gurion declaring the new State of Israel to portraits of presidents and prime ministers, Rudi Weissenstein's camera captured the history of a nation. Together with his wife, Miriam, they opened the Pri-Or Photohouse in 1940. Today Israel's oldest photography store is run by grandson Ben Peter.

Last week on an unusually cold and wet Tel Aviv day I discovered this magical place in the heart of Tel Aviv. Over a hot coffee and surrounded by portraits of the Who's Who of Israeli history, Ben proceeded to tell us about his family, his work and the more than one million pictures taken by his grandfather documenting the history of the state.

With Ben Peter in the Photohouse - Shimon Peres looks on

Since Ben Peter began working with his grandmother, Miriam Weissenstein at the Photohouse, one of his goals has been to preserve his grandfather’s archive of one million negatives through digitization. On November 27, 2012, the building which had housed Pri-Or Photohouse on Allenby 30 for over 70 years was torn down, and on that same day a contract was signed with the National Library of Israel to preserve the archive.

The story of the Photohouse was documented in the film "Life in Stills" by Tamar Tal winner of the best film award at the DocAviv Festival in Tel Aviv in 2011. It tells the story of the special relationship between Ben and his 96 year old grandmother Miriam, the family and the photos.

Images of Miriam Weissenstein on the wall

Since Miriam's death last year at the age of 98, Ben divides his time between the store, touring the world promoting the film and keeping alive the legacy of his grandfather's pictures.

It's worth taking the time to stop by and peruse the wonderful photographic collection and perhaps purchase a souvenir of days past - if you can choose just one that is!

Pri-Or Photohouse - Zalmania is located on 5 Tchernikovsky Street, Tel Aviv. 03-5177916. Open Sunday - Thursday 10:00 - 18:00, Friday until 13:00. zalmania@gmail.com

Thanks to Aliza Orent for her photographs

Happy 2013!

Enjoy the new year and this delightful picture of Sam and Jon Russoff at the Dead Sea during the last week of 2012.

 

Join us, the water is warm!

All Aboard! The Jerusalem Train Station Returns to Life - now open!

The ground shook on September 26, 1892 when the first train from Jaffa pulled into the Jerusalem train station which is situated in the German Colony. A century later, the train station was closed and the compound fell into disrepair.



The glory days of the Jerusalem Train Station

However, things are about to change. Plans are underway that will bring the site back to life by Spring 2013 in a project similar to the one which recently rejuvenated the "Tahana " train compound in Tel Aviv.

First Station will be a venue for restaurants, cafes, shops, food market, craft stalls and even an open air cinema to attract visitors to the historic site and add to the entertainment options of the area.

Work underway - January 2013



New Plan for the Station

Earlier in the year a bicycle and walking path was also inaugurated at the train station which follows the old railway line and will eventually reach the neighborhood of Beit Safafa. This is a great hit at weekends especially with families who can be seen walking or peddling along the attractively-landscaped route of the former tracks.

For more information on the new station project: See the following article by Melanie Lidman which appeared in a recent edition of the Jerusalem Post

Blooming Marvellous! - The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Which plant did Adam and Eve take as a reminder of the Garden of Eden? What was the Burning Bush?

Questions like these and many more can be answered by touring the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Today I joined a tour for English-speaking tour guides of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Nayot situated close to the Israel Museum and Knesset. Although I live just a short distance away from the Gardens and have visited them on several occasions since they were opened to the public in 1985, I was very excited to learn about the new programs on offer to the public and see how far the area has developed in the past few years.

Something is always blooming in the Gardens' six geographical sections, which replicates landscapes from around the world. Here, you can travel from Europe to North America, from Southern Africa to Australia, and from Asia to the Mediterranean, without stepping on a single plane!

We started our tour on the Flower Train passing through landscapes of the six geographical sections. We learned about medicinal plants, the new Bonsai Garden being opened with the assistance of Japanese friends and a grass maze for children. We were introduced to the Bible Path and learned how botanical metaphors were used to convey moral and other messages in a language the ancient Hebrews would have easily understood.

With the largest plant collection in Israel (some 10,000 species), the Gardens truly present 'biodiversity live'!

Diversity in the Gardens is also reflected by the diversity of the visitors.  Whether it's families with young children, senior citizens, religious, secular and ultra-orthodox Jews, Arabs, new immigrants, people with special needs - everyone benefits from nature and exposure to the beauty and tranquility of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Special activities for children and families are organised for private groups.

Next time you visit the Israel Museum or Knesset, take time out for a tour of the Botanical Gardens. You can also enjoy a meal or light refreshment at the lakeside restaurant.

NB Thanks to reciprocal membership schemes, holders of subscriptions to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens get free entry to the San Diego Botanic Garden and the Chicago Botanic Garden too!

A Hidden Gem in the Old City - "Wujoud"

Jerusalem is filled with hidden gems. Last week, I visited, together with a number of other female guides, Wujoud - "Presence" in Arabic - a museum and cultural centre of Palestinian heritage situated just a few steps down David Street the main market street from Jaffa Gate. Established only two years ago, Wujoud offers visitors glimpses of Palestinian life in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The inspiration behind this project is Nora Kort, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, who grew up in a cosmopolitan Jerusalem family. She is an amazing entrepreneur and the driving force behind a number of Old City projects aimed at assisting the Palestinian community and in particular the women.

My group of "girl guides" were inspired by Ms. Kort, her determination against all odds - city bureaucracy and the indifference and even animosity of local shopkeepers - and her belief that Wujoud can become a place where people of all faiths can meet others and share stories.

The project began in 2009 when the Greek Othodox Church donated a 650-year old building to the Arab Orthodox Society of Myrrh Bearers. A group of engineers and architects were commissioned to rehabilitate the building which had been sitting in disrepair for most of its existence and have turned it into a beautiful cultural centre.

Wujoud is situated in the heart of the Christian Quarter overlooking Hezekiah's Pool or the Pool of the Patriarchs which was an important source of water for the city during the 1st century. Now dry, the city has cleaned up the area and Nora has ambitious plans for this site.

View of Hezekiah's Pool from the roof of Wujoud



(Left: Nora Kort, the Holy Sepulchre Church can be seen in the background)

Girl Guides enjoying the museum

(pictures: Carol Ann Bernheim)

If you have a few moments to spare, stop by Wujoud for a cup of coffee or tea and visit the small ethno-museum in this beautiful building. Donations are gratefully received!

Other projects supported by Nora include: the Melia Center, established in 1992 by the Arab Orthodox Society, which gives Palestinian women an outlet to sell their embroidered goods and earn an income. This is situated close to the New Gate.

Adjacent to this is Bint al Balad - or "Daughter of the Country",  which prepares traditional Palestinian dishes including pies, pastries, and salads. In addition to the shop itself, the employees provide catering services for parties and other celebrations. This and the embroidery shop constitute the only stores in Jerusalem staffed entirely by women.



Amazing 2000 Year Old Olive Tree

After a recent tour of Beit Guvrin with Margie and Harvey Willensky, I was asked by Margie to help her in her pursuit of photographing interesting trees in Israel. One of them was an ancient olive tree hidden away in the grounds of the Beit Jamal Monastery down the road on the way to Beit Shemesh.

We entered the compound only to be told that the monk with the key to the garden was resting. We were extremely disappointed but, not to be put off, I asked one of the staff if he knew about the tree. He immediately took out a key, walked us to the garden gate, and pointed in the general direction of the tree which, he said, had been tested by Italian experts and dated to over 2000 years.

After wandering for about 100 yards along a dry and thorny trail we came upon an amazing site: our 2000 year old olive tree!

As we approached we started to realise how large the tree really was.

At over 8 meters (25 feet) in circumference, this tree was truly a magical thing to behold and we knew we were in the presence of something very special.

An intricate network of roots snaked their way down the tree and we were embraced in it's long arms.

We spent half an hour enchanted by this magnificent tree - a truly spiritual experience

Photos courtesy of Margie Willensky