Jerusalem Cancels Plans to Convert Historic Bikur Holim Building into Haredi Girls' School

Jerusalem Municipality has definitively decided that the historic eastern building of the Bikur Holim complex on HaNevi'im Street will not be converted into a Haredi girls' school. Initially, the local authority planned to adapt the building for educational use, but following public outcry and legal concerns, the municipality reversed its decision. The city's legal advisor, Attorney Chaim Nergasi, informed the Council for Preservation of Sites that after thorough legal and planning review, the building, recognized as a monument of exceptional historical and architectural value, will not be used for educational purposes at this stage.

The municipality emphasized its commitment to preserving the building's heritage values and stated that any temporary school use will be confined to the western building of the complex, which had previously been adapted for educational use without harming its preservation status. All work will be supervised by the city's preservation department. Future plans for the complex involve significant development with diverse public uses while strictly maintaining the historic structures and their unique heritage.

Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio, who led opposition to the plan, hailed the decision as a major victory for preserving the character of Jerusalem's city center and expressed hope the building would become a cultural or public leisure center. Deputy Mayor and "Hitorerut" party leader Adir Schwartz also welcomed the move, calling it crucial for Jerusalem's Zionist future and promising efforts to transform the building into a national-level cultural asset.

The Bikur Holim building, one of 110 monument buildings in Jerusalem, was purchased in 1908 and opened in 1924 with British High Commissioner Sir Herbert Samuel attending. It is located on a key central city axis that separates Haredi neighborhoods to the north from the city center to the south. The plan to convert it into a school for girls from the Salons Hasidic sect sparked sharp criticism, with concerns that it would accelerate Haredi demographic expansion into central Jerusalem. The building's zoning plan designates it for public use such as medical centers, commerce, galleries, or offices, but does not explicitly allow educational institutions. The municipality's reversal aligns with these zoning restrictions and preservation priorities.