Take a moment to imagine: it’s 1926. Here stands Mekor Haim. It is more than just a neighborhood. Mekor Haim represents a dream taking root in Jerusalem’s soil.
Mekor Haim in southwest Jerusalem translates to “Source of Life.” It earned this name from Haim Cohen. He was a businessman. Cohen donated money to purchase land in Jerusalem before World War I.
The Mizrahi movement established Mekor Haim. It was designed as a village. It was planned with 20 small farmsteads. The village stretched along a main street. The street ran parallel to the railway line. Each family received a plot. The plot was two dunams in size. It was big enough for a house, garden, and orchard. Early residents kept cows and chickens.
Mar Haim was the building contractor and head of the first neighborhood committee. He arranged a bus route. It connected Mekor Haim to the city center.
Initially, Mekor Haim had one central water tap. The committee hired a watchman. He counted the buckets each family used. Later, they built water cisterns in each garden. During the 1929 Arab riots, residents sought shelter. They went to the synagogue. It was built like a fortress.
In 1931, a census recorded 202 residents in 41 houses. Mekor Haim was isolated. It was located between Arab villages. It faced Arab sniping and a long siege. Convoys carrying supplies were turned back. During the 1948 war, fierce battles raged here. The Haganah was stationed here.
After the Six-Day War, the Talpiot industrial zone changed Mekor Haim. The neighborhood’s isolation ended. In the mid-1980s, zoning laws protected its residential character. The Israel State Archives was once located here.
Today, Mekor Haim is known for its quiet streets and community atmosphere. It is popular with the French community. The neighborhood is experiencing newer developments. Mekor Haim offers easy access to amenities. A park lies between Mekor Haim and Katamonim. It features a running track, bicycle path, and playgrounds.
Mekor Haim stands as a testament to resilience. It shows community and growth. This neighborhood Mekor Haim has blossomed into a cherished part of Jerusalem. It blends its rich past with modern life.