Once upon a time in Jerusalem,
And this time – the Rose Garden in Talbiya neighborhood, 1972.
The Garden of Roses is located in the Talbiya neighborhood in Jerusalem between Pinsker and Dubnov streets.
The garden covers an area of 5.5 dunams, and for the first time functioned as a public garden in Jerusalem already 118 years ago, in September 1906 when the Turks still ruled the country and hosted a reception for the dignitaries of the city on the occasion of the accession to power of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
Later, with the expulsion of the Turks from the country and the beginning of the British Mandate period, the Jerusalem Municipality cultivated the Rose Garden by the municipal gardener of Jerusalem, Elimelech Admoni, and the garden became the place where official receptions of the municipality are held.
Two impressive Art Deco entrances were built to the garden – one from Pinsker Street and one from Dubnov, and a new stone wall was built to surround the garden.
The height difference in the garden between Pinsker Street and Dubnov Street was over 3 meters, a height difference that was bridged using stone terraces as was customary in mountainous agricultural areas, and walking paths.
In addition, an ornamental fish pond was built in the garden with goldfish that swam and kept quiet in British style and a large and luxurious pergola.
Every week the British police band used to play in the garden for the enjoyment of the residents of the area, who came with suits, mustaches, and hats to soak up some culture.
After the war of liberation and the departure of the British, the municipality of Jerusalem continued to hold official events of the city and the Independence Day celebrations of the newly founded state were held for years in the garden in the presence of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, ministers and members of the Knesset and representatives of foreign governments.
In April 1950, on the second Independence Day of the State of Israel, the Davar newspaper reported about “the Independence Day party where 2 orchestras will play and over 700 luxurious cars – Cadillacs, Pontiacs, Lincolns, and Plymouths will bring the thousands of guests from all over the country because the foreigners still do not know that Jerusalem is our capital”.
Over the years, the garden has been neglected, the goldfish have been replaced by tadpoles and mosquitoes and the playground equipment has worn out and stood unused.
In 1992, the garden was renovated, the pergolas were restored, the fish pond that became a frog pond was removed and a playground was built in its place.
More in the photo taken in 1972 – the Jerusalem Theater at the end of Pinsker Street, and to the left of the Moon Grove Garden that separates the Talbiya neighborhood from the German Colony.
This is our Jerusalem – the Rose Garden is still green and lush, on Pinsker Street on both sides luxury houses and luxury villas were built for wealthy Jews from all over the world, new projects are being built these days next to Jerusalem Theater, the luxury buildings of the Talbiya neighborhood have been preserved and maintained, official receptions are no longer held In public gardens, the birds in the area chirp in English with an American accent, and all the foreign diplomats in Plymouths and Cadillacs have long known that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people.
May we get to see our abducted brothers return safely to their homes together with our regular and reserve soldiers, may we remember to stay united and not allow self-interested politicians to separate us – because we are all one people, and may we see soon Shalom al Israel.
Shabbat of peace to the far and near from Jerusalem.
Photographer – Reuven Milon.
