Kiryat Moshe Neighborhood in Jerusalem
The Kiryat Moshe neighborhood is home to many residents that are drawn to it by its unique character and pleasant ambience. It was among the garden communities that were formed in Jerusalem in the 1920s. This flowering of communal life would be a significant factor in the collective identity of these neighborhoods for many years.
Kiryat Moshe is a bustling neighborhood in the city of Jerusalem. It is situated in the western side of the town filled with a diverse selection of restaurants, cafes, shops, and parks, it’s become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city.
The Montefiore neighborhood takes its name from the Sir Moses Montefiore. He is a philanthropist from Britain whose endowment provided the money to establish this corner of northwest Queen Anne. The foundation loan was issued in 1923, and construction of the community began a year later.
One of the most interesting things about Kiryat Moshe Settlement is it was lastly founded by Montefiore from the other neighborhoods of Jerusalem because he wants it to be distinguished from the Yemin Moshe, which is known to be the Old Montefiore.
The development of Kiryat Moshe, one of the country’s most up-and-coming cities, was done by German architect Richard Kaufmann. His emphasis on single-family housing and wide gardens in the heart of neighborhoods can still be evident in buildings like Hameiri Boulevard, a Moshe Safdie-designed public housing project in Tel Aviv.
Kiryat Moshe was known from the start for being a very “Hebrew” village, home to traders and later bus drivers and educators, both of which were highly sought-after positions in the emerging Jewish society.
Many Jewish leaders resided at Kiryat Moshe, a national-religious area. In the early 1940s, Kiryat Moshe became a safe haven for the local Jews who were escaping from Arab pogroms.
Kiryat Moshe were predominantly founded by dati leumi, which is a mix of secular and religious beliefs. Many of the founders were also Mizrachi movement’s leaders. The movement was a religious organization for Jews who migrated to Israel from Muslim countries.
Ninety years after the establishment of the neighborhood, it now has a diverse community since it opened its door to different types of people and sectors. The neighborhood is known to house secular families, national ultra-Orthodox, religious Zionist, among many other.
Kiryat Moshe is also known to have various prestigious educational institutions such as the Yeshivat Mercaz Harav Kook. It was an institute established by Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, which is also Israel’s founding father.
Another well-known school in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood is Machon Meir. They offer a variety of excellent secular and Judaic studies programs for students of all ages. The school currently has 500 enrolled student and offering various classes in four different languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, and French.
A revered community landmark is Angel Bakery, which is the largest bakery in all of Israel. It’s also known for its fresh and delicious produce because of its convenient setup. Its main ingredient flour, is actually conveyed from the mill at the other side of the street going back to the bakery. This short distance allows for an uninterrupted supply of quality flour, enabling them to produce their famous cakes and breads on a continual basis.
