Hafetz Haim school

The century-old building of the Khafetz Khaim school on Jaffa Road (across from the sundial, next to the Ottoman police post) is being gutted. About a decade ago the shops along the road were torn down, preserving only the arches. I expect a new building will go up behind the school's facade.

The way they taught at this school was considered overly modern in its early years. The methods are now those of people who fear the modern world and who, without knowledge of history, look back to 17th century Poland as ideal.

Copyright 2011 Jane S. Fox