Jerusalemites prepare for snow, dream of summer

JPost special feature: A Library of Congress photograph collection that documents pre-state Israel.

By LENNY BEN-DAVID
Jerusalemites prepare for snow, dream of summer (photo credit: American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept.)
Jerusalemites prepare for snow, dream of summer
(photo credit: American Colony-Jerusalem-Photo Dept.)
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.

Jews moved north from Jaffa 100 years ago, leveled the sand dunes, and established the city of Tel Aviv. Few suspected that they were also laying the foundation for a Jewish version of the Riviera, but within two decades, the beaches were a very popular destination, as the American Colony photographers recorded.More photos can be viewed at http://www.israeldailypicture.com.