Beautifully situated on a hill overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City is Yemin Moshe, arguably the prettiest neighbourhood in the city.
The neighbourhood is surrounded by beautiful parks and features some amazing views towards the Old City. Most of the original stone buildings still stand today and they are extremely well kept. Colourful doors, windows and flowers decorate the houses, making the neighbourhood picture-perfect and a popular spot for Instagrammers.
On my second day in Jerusalem, I took a morning stroll through Yemin Moshe before meeting up with a friend to explore the Mount of Olives. It was the perfect day. Sunny with just a few clouds on the bright blue sky. And coming from Jerusalem’s bustling centre, it was a welcome contrast to enter the quiet neighbourhood.
Yemin Moshe was built in the 1890’s as an extension of Mishkenot Sha’ananim, the first Jewish neighbourhood outside the walls of the Old City. Both neighbourhoods were built by Moses Montefiore, a British Jewish banker and philanthropist.
Originally, Yemin Moshe was built for the poor as a solution to the overcrowded Old City. The iconic windmill above the neighbourhood was built to allow poor Jews to grind their own flour and provide them with a source of income. Additionally, Montefiore built a printing press and a textile factory in the neighbourhood, and also helped to finance agricultural colonies.
The neighbourhood suffered some damage during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, leaving the area rundown. However, following Jerusalem’s reunification in 1967, the buildings were extensively restored, and Yemin Moshe has in recent times become one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Jerusalem.
After wandering around the pretty neighbourhood, I walked up to Montefiore Windmill and suddenly found myself in the middle of a bar mitzvah celebration. Bar mitzvah is a Jewish coming of age ritual for boys (whereas bat mitzvah is for girls), the Jewish equivalent to a Christian confirmation. I didn’t want to crash the party, but when one of the guests spotted me, he invited me to watch and take photos! There was traditional music, a dove release and lots of dancing. It was a really fun event to witness!
After a while, I had to pull myself away from the celebrations so I could get back to Jaffa Gate by the Old City to meet up with my friend. My short morning stroll in Yemin Moshe had turned into so much more. It revealed the most gorgeous neighbourhood that I could actually imagine living in, and it gave me a taste of a very colourful and joyful Jewish tradition.
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