The Mishkenot Sha'ananim Program Department initiates and produces the various cultural events held on the premises. These offerings include international festivals and conferences, book launches, concerts and encounters with renowned authors and researchers from both Israel and abroad. The events, which are open to the general public, deal with subjects ranging from art, architecture, literature, music and history to Mediterranean design and cuisine. For details, please see our event listings.

 

Located on the cusp of the Valley of Hinnom and just below the famous windmill of Yemin Moshe, Mishkenot Sha'ananim is a vibrant international cultural and conference center established by the Jerusalem Foundation.

The Mishkenot Sha'ananim campus includes a guest house as well as the Konrad Adenauer Conference Center, which houses an auditorium, seminar rooms and a library. Mishkenot Sha'ananim serves as a venue for artistic and cultural activities in the spirit of dialogue, tolerance and pluralism. Among its activities are conferences devoted to cultures of the Mediterranean region, an annual international poetry festival, creative writing and poetry workshops. At the Center for Ethics, which is also central to Mishkenot Sha'ananim's activities, numerous conferences and symposiums are held.

Over the years, the guest house has hosted numerous distinguished and eminent Israeli and international artists who come to Jerusalem to create, or as guests of its cultural institutions.

Mishkenot Sha'ananim is housed in a famous historical building dating from 1860; it was the first residential building that Sir Moses Montefiore built for Jews outside the Old City walls. It is an inspiring and charming building, offering a spectacular view of the Tower of David, the Old City walls and the Judean Desert.

In 1973, the Jerusalem Foundation initiated the restoration of the historical building and the construction of the Mishkenot Sha'ananim gues thouse, which was rebuilt with the help and contributions of the Friends of the Jerusalem Foundation from all over the world. The extensive restoration and building of Mishkenot Sha'ananim was completed in 2001, and since then, it has become renowned for its dynamic cultural and artistic activities.