Imagine tent camps sprawling to the horizon. They housed new immigrants. These new immigrants had arrived from Iraq and Kurdistan. Now, let’s explore the story of Katamonim.
Katamonim is a collection of neighborhoods. It branches out from Old Katamon. Officially, it is known as Gonenim. Gonenim means Defenders.
These neighborhoods arose in Israel’s early years. They were built to accommodate a large influx of immigrants. The immigrants came from Iraq and Kurdistan. Before this, they lived in tent camps.
Katamonim comprises several numbered neighborhoods. They are Katamon Khet, Katamon Tet, and others. Katamon Khet is Katamon 8. Katamon Tet is Katamon 9. Katamon Hei is also called San Simon Neighborhood. Parts of Katamon Het and Tet are San Martin Neighborhood. Katamon Zayn is Pat neighborhood.
Katamon Khet was built in the late 1950s. Katamon Tet emerged in the mid-1960s. The architecture of Katamonim features long apartment blocks on pillars. This design provided low-cost housing. Initially, the government owned many buildings. Amidar, a housing company, sold apartments to residents in the 1970s.
The WIZO community center is located here. It is named after Helena Kagan.
Before the Six-Day War in 1967, Katamonim bordered Jordan. Project Renewal was an urban renewal project. It lasted two decades. This project financed significant infrastructure improvements. Smaller apartments were combined. This created larger living spaces. The outward appearance of the apartment blocks was improved.
Since the 1990s, many immigrants have found housing in Katamonim. They arrived from Russia and Ethiopia.
The Jerusalem Tennis Center is located in Katamonim. The Jewish community of South Africa founded it in 1981. It was dedicated in 1982. It honors Yossi Zeituni. Zeituni was a tennis coach. He died in the Lebanon War. The center includes 19 courts. It also features a stadium. The stadium seats 2,000 spectators.
Katamonim reflects Jerusalem’s history. It illustrates waves of immigration. It shows urban development over time.