Mount Scopus
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Mount Scopus (Hebrew הַר הַצּוֹפִים (Har HaTzofim), Arabic جبل المشارف Ǧabal al-Mašārif, جبل المشهد Ǧabal al-Mašhad, جبل الصوانة) is a mountain in northeast Jerusalem, Israel. The Jewish neighborhood of French Hill lies to the north and the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah to the southwest.
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[edit] History
Mount Scopus is 834 m high. Overlooking Jerusalem, it has been strategically important for the defense of the city since antiquity. The Roman Legion camped there in 70 CE, and the Crusaders in 1099. Mount Scopus was held by Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and existed as an exclave of Israel inside Jordanian territory during Jordan's control of the West Bank from 1948 till 1967. Israeli sovereignty over Mt. Scopus is internationally recognized. Today, Mount Scopus lies within the official borders of the city of Jerusalem.
[edit] Hadassah convoy massacre
On April 13, 1948, a civilian convoy bringing medical supplies and personnel to Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus was attacked by Arab forces. 78 Jews, including doctors and nurses, were killed in the ambush. [1]
[edit] Landmarks
[edit] Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Construction of the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University began in 1918 on land purchased from the Gray Hill estate. The dedication ceremony was held in 1925 in the presence of many dignitaries. [2] By 1947, it was a solid research and teaching institution with humanities, science, medicine, education and agriculture departments (agriculture was taught in Rehovot), a national library, a university press and an adult education center. The university had a student population of over 1,000 and 200 faculty members. [3]
[edit] Hadassah Medical Center
The cornerstone for Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus was laid in 1934. The hospital began operating in 1939, in a building designed by architect Erich Mendelsohn.
[edit] Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center
The construction of the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center by Brigham Young University, owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Mount Scopus initially sparked controversy due to concerns that the Mormons would engage in missionary activities. After pledging not to proselytize in Israel, work on the building was allowed to proceed. The Mormon University, as it is commonly known, commands a panoramic view of Jerusalem and has won awards for its stunning architecture. [4]
- Augusta Victoria Hospital
- Commonwealth War Cemetery
- Jerusalem Hyatt Hotel
- Hebrew University Botanical Gardens
[edit] See also
- Mount Scopus Memorial College - Jewish day school in Australia
- Hadassah medical convoy massacre
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Jerusalem Photos Portal - Mount Scopus
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