Main building of Machane Schneller becomes haredi museum

The compound of Shneller in the heart of Geula begins to take shape: currently one of the most ambitious projects is being launched, and the main building which stands in the center of the complex, will be the first hareidi museum, which will be called "Heritage Center of Jewish Communities".

The building, about 5,000 square meters, is in a dilapidated physical condition. The structure is obliged to all preservation rules, but the Jerusalem municipality has no money to fix it and it comes to considerable amounts. Municipal officials initially sought to transfer the building to the Israel Lands Administration, and the administration will decide to whom to give it.

Additional meetings held at the municipality between hareidi officials and senior clerks, made operative proposals, to transfer the building to the hands of a commercial entity, such as one of the Medical Aids or one of the hotel chains in Israel, so that they will reconstruct and renovate it and convert it according to their own needs.

The one who led the opposition to it was Avraham Kroizer, Consultant of Mayor Nir Barkat, who explains in a conversation with Behadrey Haredim why he believes there is no place for this:

"As we know, the body called "Geula Committee" also opposed expanding the sidewalks which are presently renovated in the Malchei Yisrael street. Every small change that could harm the unique character of the neighborhood, to their mind, leads to militant opposition and a fight on their part, so I made it clear that one must locate with foresight in this construct a body which will be agreed by consensus opinion".

• There already exists an HMO in the center of Geula, and close to Machane Schneller was formerly the Concorde Hotel, later converted to "Beit Tovei Hair". So what's wrong with that?

"Since the structure contains such a large area, once a particular HMO takes possession of it, one can not of course prevent it from using all of it. It may then become a major medical center which will attract citizens from all over the city, even non-religious, a sensitive move that could cause us a head ache. What do we need this problem for?

"Also, in connection with a hotel, this is the issue itself. A hareidi hotel which worked in the area did not justify itself, and therefore it is difficult to maintain a hareidi hotel, especially on such a huge scale."

The solution proposed by Kroizer, which also had broad consensus in the city hall, was the establishment of a huge cultural center for the haredi public. According to plan, the new center will hold a permanent exhibition of ancient Judaica, a huge library which will include ancient books, a research center and repository of old manuscripts and more.

The next step is finding a body that has the financial ability to pump millions for renovating the building, while operating on the professional and spiritual level. To this end the municipality is holding an auction and control process as required by law, to receive proposals from entities that will compete for the operation of the center, and it also turns to people who have and own items that can enrich the center, to come and donate or lend their treasures for the public's benefit.

An initial proposal has already been submitted, which supposedly has the best chance to be accepted in respect of compliance with the various criteria required, is the institutions of Ahavat Shalom led by Hagaon Hamekubal Rabbi Yaakov Hillel. Harav Hillel's institutions have extensive experience in holding a library, as it already has a huge library of 32,000 books. In addition, they have research institutes, publishing company and more. Further more, philanthropists and tycoons are in constant contact with Harav Hillel, and they will rise to the challenge and give their auspices to the new venture, if Harav Hillel addressed them.

According to Kroizer, if the program will be implemented soon, there is a big chance that in two years, the new hareidi museum will be running and lively.

In the Schneller compound there are also supposed to be a community council, schools, multi-purpose event hall, a luxurious residential project and public institutions.

Recently, a special team cleared the remaining equipment of the legendary tile factory on the site, adjacent to the main building – in which the museum will be - the area which is supposed to be a residential building. Due to its historical importance and value, the equipment was sent to several heritage sites in Israel: the cement mixer was sent to the Beit Yellin in Motza, the furnaces were sent to Binyamina, and the water tank was transferred to the train station in Nahal Sorek.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!