Whispers of giants echo through Emek Refaim. This isn’t just a street in Jerusalem. It’s a valley a place steeped in history. It’s the Valley of Rephaim a name that conjures images of ancient giants. The biblical Valley of Rephaim started its descent from Jerusalem here.
Emek Refaim is the main street of the German Colony a neighborhood with a fascinating past. In the 19th century German Templers settled here. Their unique architecture still stands today. You can see traces of their presence on the lintels of some houses. Biblical inscriptions in German Fraktur script tell their story.
But Emek Refaim’s history stretches far beyond the Templers. It was inhabited long before by villagers from the tribe of Judah. The area served as a fertile ground for crops providing grain and vegetables for Jerusalem. The Emek Refaim area is rare in Jerusalem for its vast flat expanse.
World War II brought a change. As enemy aliens the Templers were interned and deported by the British. Some homes were abandoned by local Arabs or expropriated after 1948. Issues of property ownership remain unresolved. The story of a former Arab resident returning to her home after 1967 is heartbreaking.
Emek Refaim today is a vibrant mix of old and new. Elegant villas once belonging to wealthy Arabs stand alongside more modern structures. The Orient Hotel the tallest building on Emek Refaim is a testament to this evolution. Its construction however sparked protests. Locals fought to preserve the historical character of the neighborhood. Their efforts led to compromises.
The Smadar movie theater a German-owned building initially serving the British army has its own remarkable history. It was later turned over to Jewish management to avoid boycotts. After 1948 it became a local gem run by a family. The husband sold tickets collected them and worked as the projectionist. His wife ran the concession stand.
Plans for a light rail line along Emek Refaim have also ignited debate. The potential disruption to traffic and the neighborhood’s character has caused much discussion. The future of Emek Refaim hangs in the balance a reminder that even today this historic street is alive with change and the voices of its people. Walk along Emek Refaim and let its many stories unfold before you.