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| '''Schneller Orphanage''' was a ] ] which operated in ] from 1860 until ]. The orphanage grounds, located on Malchei Yisrael |
'''Schneller Orphanage''' was a ] ] which operated in ] from 1860 until ]. The orphanage grounds, located on Malchei Yisrael Street in west-central Jerusalem, were then used as a ] called '''Camp Schneller''' until November 2008. At that point in time, the site was closed, and there are plans to develop it as a residential neighborhood for the growing ] community which currently lives nearby. | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| The orphanage was founded in 1860 by the ] ] Johann Ludwig Schneller, who lived in Jerusalem. The decision to open the orphanage came in wake of the ], in which many Christians were killed by ] and ], making a large number of children into orphans. With the encouragement of the German government, Schneller founded the "Syrian Orphanage" , commonly known as the "Schneller Orphanage". The orphanage's land was purchased from ] of the nearby village of ]. Before the buildings were constructed, a ] |
The orphanage was founded in 1860 by the ] ] Johann Ludwig Schneller, who lived in Jerusalem. The decision to open the orphanage came in wake of the ], in which many Christians were killed by ] and ], making a large number of children into orphans. With the encouragement of the German government, Schneller founded the "Syrian Orphanage" , commonly known as the "Schneller Orphanage". The orphanage's land was purchased from ] of the nearby village of ]. Before the buildings were constructed, a ]-period ] was discovered, along with other burial caves. | ||
| The orphanage, which provided a German |
The orphanage, which provided a German-style education, quickly established a good reputation among Middle Eastern Christians. The orphanage grew to cover 70 ], including dormitories, courtyards, a ], workshops, and more. In addition, houses were built nearby for the school's graduates, in what became known as the "Schneller neighborhood". | ||
| In April 1934, a ] of children from the orphanage performed on the occasion of ]'s birthday. Between 1936 and 1939, the orphanage tried to import weapons from Germany, to train its students for a future war against the Jews. | In April 1934, a ] of children from the orphanage performed on the occasion of ]'s birthday. Between 1936 and 1939, the orphanage's leadership tried to import weapons from Germany, in order to train its students for a future war against the Jews. | ||
| At the outbreak of World War II, the ] authorities expelled the German residents of ], including those of Schneller. The orphanage became the central British army camp in Jerusalem. It was occasionally attacked by the ] and ] organizations. | At the outbreak of World War II, the ] authorities expelled the German residents of ], including those of Schneller. The orphanage became the central British army camp in Jerusalem. It was occasionally attacked by the ] and ] organizations. | ||
| On March 17, 1948, the British abandoned the orphanage and transferred its control to the ] of the ]. For the next 60 years the site served as an Israeli military base. Jewish residents of the Nachlat Yitzchak neighborhood, forced to abandon their East Jerusalem homes in the 1948 war, were resettled in the Schneller neighborhood. | On March 17, 1948, the British abandoned the orphanage and transferred its control to the ] of the ]. For the next 60 years, the site served as an Israeli military base. Jewish residents of the Nachlat Yitzchak neighborhood, forced to abandon their East Jerusalem homes in the 1948 war, were resettled in the Schneller neighborhood. | ||
| ==Current situation== | ==Current situation== | ||
Revision as of 00:23, 22 March 2010
Schneller Orphanage was a Christian orphanage which operated in Jerusalem from 1860 until World War II. The orphanage grounds, located on Malchei Yisrael Street in west-central Jerusalem, were then used as a military base called Camp Schneller until November 2008. At that point in time, the site was closed, and there are plans to develop it as a residential neighborhood for the growing Haredi community which currently lives nearby.
History
The orphanage was founded in 1860 by the German missionary Johann Ludwig Schneller, who lived in Jerusalem. The decision to open the orphanage came in wake of the 1860 Lebanon conflict, in which many Christians were killed by Muslims and Druze, making a large number of children into orphans. With the encouragement of the German government, Schneller founded the "Syrian Orphanage" , commonly known as the "Schneller Orphanage". The orphanage's land was purchased from Arabs of the nearby village of Lifta. Before the buildings were constructed, a Second Temple-period cemetery was discovered, along with other burial caves.
The orphanage, which provided a German-style education, quickly established a good reputation among Middle Eastern Christians. The orphanage grew to cover 70 acres, including dormitories, courtyards, a church, workshops, and more. In addition, houses were built nearby for the school's graduates, in what became known as the "Schneller neighborhood".
In April 1934, a choir of children from the orphanage performed on the occasion of Adolf Hitler's birthday. Between 1936 and 1939, the orphanage's leadership tried to import weapons from Germany, in order to train its students for a future war against the Jews.
At the outbreak of World War II, the British authorities expelled the German residents of Palestine, including those of Schneller. The orphanage became the central British army camp in Jerusalem. It was occasionally attacked by the Irgun and Lehi organizations.
On March 17, 1948, the British abandoned the orphanage and transferred its control to the Etzioni Brigade of the Haganah. For the next 60 years, the site served as an Israeli military base. Jewish residents of the Nachlat Yitzchak neighborhood, forced to abandon their East Jerusalem homes in the 1948 war, were resettled in the Schneller neighborhood.
Current situation
In 2008, the IDF activities at Schneller were transferred to the Ofrit base near Mount Scopus. The Geological Survey of Israel which also operated from the site was moved as well. Current plans are to build a Haredi neighborhood on the orphanage grounds including 600 housing units. The orphanage buildings, architecturally important because of their age and European style, will be preserved and used as public buildings. Right now, environmental organizations are working to ensure the preservations by the municipality.
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