From Hospital to Seminary: Jerusalem’s Historic Bikur Cholim Building Gets a New Mission

In a move that underscores Jerusalem’s evolving identity, the Jerusalem City Council has voted to convert the historic Bikur Cholim Hospital building into a haredi seminary for girls. The decision, made despite strong objections from heritage conservationists, reflects the city’s deepening religious character and the ongoing tension between preservation and progress.

Why This Decision Matters for Jerusalem’s Future

For over a century, the Bikur Cholim building at the corner of Strauss and Hanevi’im streets served as a beacon of healing. Established in 1826 in the Old City, the hospital moved to this location in the late 19th century and treated generations of Jerusalemites,