“Orphaned children needed a home” echoes in the stones of Schneller Orphanage. Here stood a beacon of hope. The Schneller Orphanage also called the Syrian Orphanage was more than just a building. It represents a unique chapter in Jerusalem’s history.
In 1860, Johann Ludwig Schneller a German Lutheran missionary established the Schneller Orphanage. He bought land outside the Old City to live among the Arab population. After attacks he retreated to the safety of the Old City. Later he returned and the orphanage era began.
Schneller’s motivation stemmed from a desire to help. Thousands of Maronite Christians were massacred in Lebanon and Syria. Schneller rescued nine orphaned boys and brought them to Jerusalem. This marked the beginning of the Syrian Orphanage. By 1861, the orphanage had 41 boys enrolled.
Over the next few years, Schneller expanded the property. He built a stone wall around it. Funding came from Protestant communities in Germany and Switzerland. Schneller aimed to provide a complete education to orphaned and abandoned Arab children.
The Schneller Orphanage offered academic and vocational training. Children learned trades like tailoring, shoemaking, carpentry, and farming. They stayed at the orphanage for up to 10 years. Students came from various countries. They included Palestine, Syria, Egypt, and Germany. The language of instruction was German and Arabic.
In 1901, a German noble bequeathed his fortune to establish a school for the blind at the Schneller Orphanage. It opened in 1903. Besides classrooms, the orphanage operated its own printing press. It also had a flour mill, bakery, and laundry service. At the start of the 20th century a brick and tile factory was erected.
After Johann Ludwig Schneller died, his son Theodor became manager. Later, Ernst, Theodor’s son, took over. The British confiscated the Schneller Orphanage in 1940. During World War II, the British shut down the orphanage and deported its German teachers. The compound became a military camp.
In 1948, the Haganah used it as a base during the Arab-Israeli War. For 60 years, the site served as an Israeli army base. In 2008, the army vacated the premises. The Schneller Orphanage is now being developed for luxury housing.
The Schneller Orphanage’s architecture combined Southern German and local Arabic styles. Its buildings stood on high ground surrounded by a stone wall. The main building displayed the verse “Jesus the Messiah, have compassion upon us”.
Today, the legacy of Schneller Orphanage continues. Successor schools exist in Lebanon and Jordan. They provide education and vocational training to impoverished children. The Schneller Orphanage stands as a testament to compassion. It represents education and resilience in Jerusalem’s evolving landscape.