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Eden Cinema, 1978 – Another “Once Upon a Time in Jerusalem” On the corner of Agripas, Eliash, and King George streets—where today passersby walk by unaware of what once stood above the gaping pit that has remained open for years—there once stood a Jerusalem institution that remains in the hearts of many city residents: Eden Cinema. In 1928, when Jerusalem still carried the spirit of beginnings, an open-air summer cinema was established on the site. It soon became a respectable indoor movie theater, designed by architect Nathan Brin. But Eden Cinema was more than just a place to watch films; it was a cultural hub, a place for gatherings, meetings, and lectures. In the 1930s, it was managed by Moshe and Elisheva Shapira, and later by the Ella brothers. The premiere screening of Gone with the Wind in 1941 was a festive gala event. Films were shown with original Hebrew titles like Eshet Lapidot (“Woman of Torches”) and Torah Chachma VeKemach Ein (“Torah is Wisdom, But There’s No Bread”). The first movie I ever saw in a theater was Givat Halfon at Eden Cinema, followed by many more—classic Israeli Bourekas films, Hollywood hits, and Bruce Lee movies that had the audience pouring out of the theater afterward, transformed into imaginary karate warriors in the courtyard, yelling mock Chinese battle cries and throwing invisible kicks. Some, to this day, are still living in that movie. Outside the cinema, two elderly vendors stood at their usual posts for years—so fixed to the spot it seemed the sidewalk was registered in their name. Behind their cart, they sold hot corn and fresh green almonds in the summer, and warm roasted chestnuts in the winter, served in cones made from newspaper. On the right corner, hot falafel with runny tahini was served in pita—complete with the little pita cap that was cut off at the top. Legend has it that one day, tax inspectors came to the falafel shop unannounced. They counted the discarded pita caps in the trash and were stunned to find a significant discrepancy between the number of caps and the number of registered portions. From then on, every pita cap that had undergone its “bris” was respectfully placed back into the sandwich, leaving the tax agents with nothing left to count. Across the street was a basement snooker hall, and a stroll through the nearby Ben Yehuda street completed an evening of fun—like in America—in a city that, back then, went to sleep at 10 p.m. In 1990, Eden Cinema closed its doors and stood abandoned until it was demolished in July 2015. Today, a 28-story tower is planned for the site. It will include residential units, commercial space, parking, and a hotel. The new structure is set to be designed in Jerusalem style, with stone arches and a pedestrian street connecting Eliash and King George streets. Now, as the younger generation who “did not know Joseph” walk past the site, it’s worth stopping for a moment—to remember the days when Eden Cinema was an inseparable part of the city—and to cherish the memories and smells that still linger in our hearts. Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem to those far and near, With hope for the immediate release of our kidnapped brothers and sisters, the safe return of IDF soldiers, for unity and friendship among us, and that peace will come upon Israel. Photo: Aviv Yitzhaki |
