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Sign reads: Ezra & Sons Construction Co.
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Jerusalem’s water supplier

In honor of Jerusalem Day, we bring you the story of Yochanan Ibn-Ezra, a native Jerusalemite, who built the water and sewage system for the city

Jack Ibn-Ezra’s family arrived in Jerusalem’s Old City from North Africa in the 18th Century. Jack’s father, Yochanan was 21 years old in the late 19th century when he traveled to America. Years later, after his wife’s death, he came back to Jerusalem determined to provide the city with a modern water and sewage systems.

 

Jack’s grandfather, Yaakov Ibn-Ezra’s home was located near the house of the Hussein family in the Old City. The grandfather specialized in treating the city’s drinking water supply and maintenance of the water system of Jerusalem and the Judean desert’s convents.

 

At age 13, Yochanan, who was born in 1875, joined forces with his father in the task of providing for the family. The boy who was thirsty for knowledge, used to read the manuscripts kept in the libraries of the convents and managed to learn languages. He married Zohara and in 1896 they left to America. Later on he worked digging the Panama Canal.

 

Zohara passed away and Yochanan and his children resettled in the family home in Jerusalem and he returned to the water business.

 

Yochanan remarried Rahel Der'ee, whose family was exiled from the Egyptian port city of Alexandria as the First World War broke. Rahel and Yochanan had 5 children including Jack.


Yochanan Ezra and his sons with employees of their company on Jaffa Street


In 1926, the British government decided to pump water from Wadi Kelt

to Jerusalem. Ezra & Sons were hired to do the job


Pumps at Wadi Kelt


Wadi Kelt water flow in Jerusalem


In 1922-3 the company laid the infrastructure of Jerusalem's

first sewage system


In the 1930's more pipes were laid carrying water to Jerusalem

from the Yarkon river


Four pumping stations were built along the 60 km route of the

pipes


In 1936 the pipes from the Yarkon area make it to Jerusalem.

 

For more Trips to the Past - click here

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.25.07, 15:51
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