61 The Jerusalem Training Farm for Women

Architects: Leopold Krakauer and Richard Kaufmann, the 1930s

An opportunity to hear the story behind the farm for girls that was founded by Rachel Yanait Ben-Zvi in the 1930s, which at the time was on the outskirts of Jerusalem in the desert frontier. The agricultural school had about 12 acres of land at its disposal, which were purchased by the Jewish National Fund before the British High Commissioner had his headquarters built close by. The school became a melting pot of young women who had been born in the country, new immigrants from Syria and Lebanon, and girls who had fled the horrors of Nazism in Europe. They studied farming-related subjects, grew vegetables, and built a tree and flower nursery, beehives and chicken coops.

The tours will be led by Noam Levy Schreiber, a Jerusalem-based social activist who belongs to a group of activists who wish to revitalize the site for use by the community. She will point out the now abandoned buildings found on the premises, which were designed by the leading architects of the period. She will also talk about the collection of old photographs that document the establishment of the farm nearly 100 years ago, as well as the steps being taken today to restore agriculture to this tract of land (by means of the community) and make the buildings operational again.

It will not be possible to enter the buildings during the tours.

The 75-minute tours will end near the meeting point.