Is this where the Black Panthers roared? We are standing in Morasha, a neighborhood steeped in history and brimming with stories. Morasha wasn’t always its name. It was originally known as Musrara, founded in the late 19th century by affluent Arab Christians seeking refuge from the crowded Old City. Imagine elegant mansions, beautiful masonry, and shingled roofs, a testament to their prosperity. But history, as it often does, took a sharp turn. During the 1947-1949 Palestine War, the Arab residents were displaced, their homes left vacant. In the nascent years of Israel, these houses found new occupants – Jewish immigrants, many from North Africa. Life wasn’t easy. Unemployment and poverty were rampant. Out of this hardship, a movement arose. In 1971, a new generation of Mizrahi Jews, fueled by a sense of injustice and discrimination, formed the Israeli Black Panthers. Their cry for equality reverberated through the narrow streets of Morasha, shaking the nation’s conscience. Today, Morasha is a testament to resilience and the power of art. Amidst the renovated buildings and echoes of its tumultuous past, a vibrant artistic community thrives. Art schools, music centers, and community gardens have taken root, breathing new life into this historic neighborhood.
African Savannah
Is it possible to imagine the heart of Africa beating in Jerusalem? Right here at the African Savannah in the