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IL, Unit 8

The History of Mahane Yehuda Market

Mahane Yehuda Market developed naturally, when the Jewish
neighbourhoods were established near Jaffa Street, neighbourhoods
which today are called Nachlaot. Arabs from the villages around
Jerusalem came to the area and sold the fruits and vegetables they grew.
In 1908 the market was enlarged, through Etz Chaim Yeshiva that
needed money and rented out an area for shops to merchants. Slowly
more and more small shops began to open. The sellers opened stalls in
tin shacks and the appearance of the market was very neglected and
unattractive. But the location was very convenient for the Jewish
residents who were happy to do their shopping close to home. And that
way the collection of stalls was legitimized and strengthened from the
residents and turned into the market of the area.
When the British came to the country in the Twenties of the 20th
century, they tried to fight the mess and filth that were in the place- but
without much success. The market grew a bit when some merchants
from Persia bought buildings in the Agas and Tapuach Streets, building
that are used by the open market until today. The market continued to
exist and expand until 1980 and became more and more neglected, dirty
and smelly.
Until one day Teddy Kollek, the legendary mayor of Jerusalem,
decided that the neglect can no longer be tolerated, and recruited the
Jerusalem Foundation for the campaign of renewing the face of the
market. For ten hard years the market went though a series of
renovations. Some of the shops were closed temporarily but the result
was worthwhile.
Today's market is charming and beautiful. It has become a colourful
and lively shopping area. In the last few years chic has entered the
market: coffee houses and different kinds of fashion shops were
opened. Today's market is very popular among young and old people,
Israelis and tourists, and you can see many people who come to see and
photograph the market.

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