Jewish History and Memory at Beit Hadassah in Hebron
Located in the Old City, Beit Hadassah is a historic complex that serves as a residential neighborhood, a synagogue, and a museum dedicated to the Jewish history of Hebron. As you approach the building, you’ll notice its distinctive pitched roof and a facade decorated with Stars of David. Originally constructed in 1893 as a charity clinic by Sephardic leader Rabbi Haim Rahamim Yosef Franco, the site later took its current name when the American Hadassah organization began funding its medical staff.
Stepping inside the ground floor, you enter the Hebron Historical Museum. Here, exhibits guide you through centuries of Jewish life in the city, leading to a dedicated memorial space commemorating the 67 Jewish victims of the 1929 riots. As you walk through this solemn room, you’ll experience an atmosphere shaped by dim red lighting. The displays feature historical photographs, salvaged artifacts from the attacks, and reclaimed Jewish gravestones that were previously destroyed, offering a quiet space for reflection on the community’s past.
The building itself holds a central place in the modern narrative of the city. After the 1929 attacks led to the displacement of the Jewish population, the structure was repurposed as a dairy factory and a school. As you learn about its later history, you’ll discover the story of 1979, when a group of Jewish women and children secretly moved into the dilapidated building, living for months without running water or electricity. Today, with the upper floors functioning as apartments for Jewish families, the complex stands as a tangible symbol of the restored Jewish presence in central Hebron.
