The Library of Congress has recently digitalized a collection of over 10,000 photographs, taken by the "American Colony" in Jerusalem, a group of Christian Utopians who lived in Jerusalem between 1881 and the 1940s. The photographers returned to the US, and bequeathed their massive collection to the Library of Congress in 1978. The collection includes Winston Churchill's visit to Jerusalem, Jewish expulsions from the Old City during Arab riots, and the building of Tel Aviv.
The archives of photos taken by American Colony is filled dozens of pictures of Yemenite Jews, some dating back more than 100 years. The photographers of the American Colony clearly enjoyed taking their portraits.
We recently discovered why.
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept
Circa 1900, portrait of a Yemenite Jew was originally titled "Arab Jew from Yemen."
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept
This photo, circa 1914, depicts a Yemenite family portrait. Note the traditional Yemenite dress.
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept
This photo depicts a recording of a weekly prayer recited in honor of an important benefactor to a destitute family of Yemenite Jews. As a gesture of thanks for saving them, Horatio Spafford, a leader of the American Colony, received this blessing. Here, 130 years ago, in his bible, he recorded the blessing:
He who blessed our fathers Abraham,Isaac & Jacob, bless & guard & keep Horatio Spafford & his
household & all that are joined with him, because he has shown us mercy to us & our children & little ones.
Therefore may the Lord make his days long...(?) and may the Lord's mercy shelter them. In his and in our days may Judah be helped (?) and Israel rest peacefully and may the Redeemer come to Zion, Amen.
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept
A Yemenite Jew standing above the village of Silwan. Upon their arrival in 1882, Yemenites Jews lived in caves.
This photo was taken circa 1901.
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept
A Yemenite Jew stands at Yemin Moshe project in Jerusalem (1899).
American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept
Initially, the lives of Yemenite Jews in Israel were filled with hurdles and challenges. This photo depicts a Yemenite family circa 1911.
The American Colony was a group of Utopian American Christians who moved to the Holy Land in 1881. The leader of the group, Horatio Spafford, believed that "the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem was a sign of the imminent second coming of Jesus," according to the Library of Congress curator of a recent exhibit.
"In May 1882," the Library of Congress exhibit reported, "the Spaffords met a group of impoverished Yemenite Jews recently arrived in Jerusalem. The Yemenites had come from their homes in southern Arabia because they believed that the time was right after thousands of years to return to the land that had been Israel. Impressed by their sincerity and claim to be descendants of Gad, a founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, the Spaffords housed and fed them until they could establish themselves in Jerusalem. In appreciation the Gadites bestowed a blessing on the Spaffords, which was recorded in [the family] Bible."
More photos can be viewed at http://www.israeldailypicture.com