Tour of the American-German Colony in Jaffa | 1866: 157 Americans and a Messianic Vision

A stroll through the neighborhood reveals architecture that corresponds with ideas from the place where they originated: Tiled roofs, storm-proof basements, wooden walls, and more.

The church in the heart of the colony is associated with the visit of the German emperor here. Wilhelm II, the emperor who brought the Jewish people to the land and slept in Jaffa, not far from here. Where did the emperor sleep? You can find out in the guest book of the Emmanuel Hostel, formerly the Park Hotel, which was indeed located in the heart of a park with fish ponds, parrots, and monkeys, and which Agnon mentions in his book Tmol Shilshom. Next to it, at the Drisco Hotel, or Jerusalem Hotel as it is also known, which has recently undergone careful restoration, you can admire this beauty.

Alongside the old houses of the colony, a new neighborhood has sprung up in the spirit of the place, the Village., which somewhat recreates the orchard landscape that used to be there.

From here you can go down To the Noga neighborhood, where you can immediately feel the togetherness of the city, A neighborhood with a community spirit.

If you still have energy, you can continue toward the Flea Market and Old Jaffa, or choose the route that connects to the train station complex and Neve Tzedek, or toward Florentin. No matter where you go, it will be charming, in a different way.

It turns out that to enjoy all this goodness, you'll need to stay for a few days or come back and visit the city again. And of course, as usual, I recommend a guided tour because it's always a different experience.

The story of the Immanuel Church is linked to the second phase of the colony, after the Americans left and it was purchased by the German Templers.

How is it connected to the visit of German Emperor Wilhelm II? We find out during the tour.

Meanwhile, we gather to listen to the sounds of the organ.

Reed Holmes, a resident of Maine, is the man who began researching the story of the Americans who arrived in Jaffa and documented their story in his book "The Pioneers.".

When he arrived in Israel, he purchased a dilapidated house and turned it into a guest house. He enlisted the help of Jane, a civil engineer, and over time they became a couple.

For many years, Jane and Reed divided their time between Maine and the American colony, and their home is a museum dedicated to the history of the place.