The Jerusalem neighborhood of Mishkenot Sha'ananim provides the ideal environment for creativity and the meeting of minds.
By Janet Mendelsohn Moshe
The neighborhood of Mishkenot Sha'ananim (Heb., peaceful habitation) was established in 1857, to relieve the overcrowding, poverty and disease in Jerusalem's Old City. A stately but simple wind-driven flourmill was constructed in the locale to provide the new residents with work. Although the windmill never became profitable (due to low wind levels), it remains a prominent landmark of the modern city of Jerusalem.
After the reunification of the city in 1967, the long row houses, cobblestone alleys and century-old architecture of Mishkenot Sha'ananim - which for the previous 19 years had been on the front line - were renovated. Together with the adjoining neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, the picturesque area rapidly became popular among artists, inspired by its view of the Old City walls. Some of the old residences were converted into a guesthouse, to which the Jerusalem Foundation has invited many notable authors, artists and musicians, including novelist Herman Wouk and musicians Isaac Stern and Zubin Mehta. Author Saul Bellow spent many weeks there writing his Pulitzer Prize winning novel To Jerusalem and Back. Nearby, the Jerusalem Music Center features master classes by internationally renowned musicians such as the late Pablo Casals and Arthur Rubinstein. Two art studios have attracted the likes of Marc Chagall and the renowned sculptor Alexander Calder. Inside the windmill itself, a small exhibit depicts the life of Sir Moshe Montefiore, the British philanthropist responsible for the initial construction and development of the area.
After a two-year hiatus, the guesthouse in Mishkenot Sha'ananim has recently been given another face-lift, and in June 2001, it reopened. Despite dwindling funds, Director Michael Shiloh is still welcoming visitors. "The Israel Festival in May 2001 brought performing artists from all over the world," he says. " And in July, we hosted some of the participants at Jerusalem's International Film Festival."
The most recent addition to the guesthouse is the new Konrad Adenauer Conference Center, which provides auditorium space for up to 170 persons, as well as conference rooms and a library. The first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Adenauer began the difficult process of reconciliation between Germany and the State of Israel. In 1964, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation was established in West Germany, encouraging understanding across national and cultural borders and funding international projects that promoted democracy and development.
The Adenauer Foundation has been active in Israel for the past two decades. "The Konrad Adenauer Center aims to promote understanding and look for common denominators among different groups of people," explains Shiloh. "The aim is to foster and deepen relations
between Israel and Germany and if possible to further peace in the Middle East."
After an extensive career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shiloh is excited to be directing the Jerusalem Center. "A discourse called "The Religious Experience" was recently held here," he notes. "This dialogue examined the reciprocal relations between different cultures and religions. Plans are already underway for next year, including an international conference
entitled: 'The Mediterranean City: Networks, Communications, Identities'."