We visited a small museum in an old house in the Old City built 500 years ago and typical of architecture in the Mediterranean with an internal courtyard, small and cramped rooms, with the courtyard serving as the center for family activities. Cooking was not done in the house because of ventilation problems, and each family had their own corner in the courtyard for that purpose. Although living conditions in Jerusalem remained unchanged for generation, and the Old City was quite inhospitable, at the turn of the century progress had been made for affluent residents though not for the majority. During the British Mandate (1917-1948) electricity came to Jerusalem and wealthier families could hook up to the grid.
The museum is set up to simulate one of these buildings. One unique thing is that the room that simulates the synagogue is the room where the Ari was born. The “Ari” which means lion is the name given to Isaac Luria, a famous rabbi and mystic, considered the father of Kabbalah. While he may have been born here his main following and attention (including a famous synagogue with his name and location of his burial) are in Safed in the north of Israel.
The Isaac Kaplan Old Yishuv (community) Court Museum, Jewish Quarter
Up to the 19th century most of Jerusalem’s Jewish residents were ancestors of those who fled Spain during the Inquisition. The population in 1840 was around 13,000 of whom 5,000 were Jews. The poorer families had one sparsely furnished room and had to move from place to place almost yearly.
You can see this is the room of a more affluent family, perhaps one from Western Europe.
Tea from the samovar, mirrored glass in the armoire, let’s you know the status of this family although unsanitary conditions and disease were right outside the door.
Electricity made it possible to have a phonograph and other conveniences.
The inner courtyard, heart of the building with every room facing on to it. Cooking, washing, playing all happened here.
Photograph of mother and two small children performing their daily tasks
Some of the tools needed for daily life.
A model of the Hurva Synagogue from 19th century (you can see inside, looks almost as it did then)
Torah scrolls: Sephardi style standing up. The Sephardim are the Jews from Spain, Portugal, and Arabic speaking countries.
The Ari synagogue which is also Sephardic in arrangement with seats along three walls and the prayer stand in the center. The Ari was apparently born in this exact room.
Poetry Without Words 