Zion Orphanage, Jewish orphanage in Geula district, Jerusalem, Israel.
Zion Orphanage is a residential facility for children and teenagers in Jerusalem's Geula district. The one-acre grounds include a central courtyard, outdoor play area, gymnasium, library, and small animal zoo serving residents aged 3 to 22.
Rabbi Abraham Yochanan Blumenthal founded this institution in 1900 near the Bukharim neighborhood, establishing what would become Israel's oldest active Jewish orphanage. The facility has evolved from a shelter for vulnerable children into an organized residential community.
Children from different Jewish backgrounds live and study together here, creating a shared community through Hebrew and common practices. Visitors can observe how this mix of traditions shapes daily life in the residence.
The facility operates using a family model where small groups of about 12 children live with young couples serving as residential caregivers. When visiting, be respectful of the residents' privacy and remember this is a working home, not a display space.
This facility hosted the first meeting of the Belzer Rebbe in Jerusalem in 1944 following his escape from Nazi-occupied Europe. The event marked an important moment in the religious life of the Jewish community here.
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