A Jerusalem journey from 44 Jabotinsky Street

This summer ebbs away in a time blur of heat and war, with a broken foot and hopping on one leg.

However, I remember where I was standing almost 20 years ago. Workers took down a sign in Hebrew, which read ‘Hebrew University – 44 Jabotinsky Street’ and stomped on it.

I stood watching in shock.

That was the day I started carrying a camera in my pocket instead of my backpack.

If I could not redeem that historic sign, I was going to share photos of what was happening in Jerusalem.

Since 2018, I have been documenting one piece of history as it has developed.

With recent social media sharing about Israel’s negative treatment of religions, the time finally seemed right to share the truth.

St. Antonia Convent Catholic monastery, as it was in April 2024, with nuns outside, was built in 1936.

This was the back gate where the Hebrew University sign was removed, and much later, the cross and name were added on top of the gated fence.

In 2018, the old little building in the back was one location of the Hebrew University library from 1948, when the Mount Scopus campus was forced to close.

The British had used the building as their Supreme Military Tribunal headquarters during the time of the British Mandate. Trials of Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi fighters were held here.

After the British army withdrew, it became a base for the fight to save Jerusalem.

The British took over the buildings they wanted. Israel gave Church properties back.

The little shack out back is still there.

As the main building has been redone,

the small building has been decaying over time.

Collegio Antonio, above the fence, no sign of Hebrew University remains.

This is the view from the front, which is across the street from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

The landscaping and mosaics can be seen and appreciated inside the front locked gate.

Not just properties, but also people. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, while Reuven Rivlin was still president, Church leaders were hosted each year at Beit Hanasi.

The Israel Independence Day celebrations include all the religious leaders.

President Isaac Herzog met on Monday at Beit Hanasi with a delegation of Imams and Muslim community leaders from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: Amos Ben Gershom / GPO

The Muslim leaders’ visit included Yad Vashem, and they were welcomed in Israel.

This past Friday, tens of thousands of Muslims prayed on the Temple Mount.

So remember, not everything you see and hear on social media or the news is factual.

Not only is it how you crop the photo, but now it’s also how you clip the video.

Next year in Jerusalem, come see what’s happening for yourself.