A Book That Takes You Behind the Walls of Hansen Hospital’s Hidden History
Featuring captivating research and rare historical images, offering a window into Hansen Hospital’s past and the lives within its walls
Featuring captivating research and rare historical images, offering a window into Hansen Hospital’s past and the lives within its walls
Imagine growing up behind the walls of a magnificent yet mysterious institution—one that fascinated, mystified, and even terrified the people of Jerusalem. Shunned and avoided by many, this architectural marvel was home to a teenager
searching for her identity...
Imagine growing up behind the walls of a magnificent yet mysterious institution—one that fascinated, mystified, and even terrified the people of Jerusalem. Shunned and avoided by many, this architectural marvel was home to a teenager
searching for her identity...
In the 1960s, the author, Rivka G. Regev, MSW, spent her youth within the walls of Hansen Government Hospital. In this poignant memoir, she peels away layers of myth and misunderstanding surrounding this enigmatic place. Through captivating research into its history, architecture, patients, and staff, she takes readers on a journey of personal and historical discovery.
Photo by Mike Horton
Rivka G. Regev, seen with the plaster model built in Germany in 1912, now permanently exhibited at Hansen House Museum.
This is my story, as well as I can remember it. These are my experiences and insights gained over many years of living on the hospital grounds and from my research together with others.
Explore the Untold History of Hansen Hospital
The book features rare historical images of Hansen Hospital, offering a window into its past and the lives within its walls.
Hansen's disease patients
at the Jesus Hilfe gate, 1887
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The Jesus Hilfe herd of dairy cows,
1903
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Schuberts and Sisters on the central courtyard cistern, 1906​
All nine Jesus Hilfe cisterns, 1909; Image and computer-generated models by Mike Horton
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Some patients and staff of Hansen Hospital, 1980 Photo courtesy of the late Yakov Kadosh
The Hansen Hospital and front gardens seen from the southwest, 2009
Photo by Mike Horton
Karl Schubert on the balcony,
Jesus Hilfe Gardens, 1896
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Karl Schubert with children
and animals, 1904
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The cows grazing in the new Jesus Hilfe western plot, 1907
L-R Sitting: Anna Maria Schubert (mother and daughter) Standing: Johannes, Willy, Elizabeth Schubert, circa 1915 near Herrnhut, Germany
November 2023 farmer's market at Hansen Gardens after October 7 massacre, Photo by Mike Horton
Rivka's Father at Hansen Hospital, 1998 Photo by Meir Stern
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Housefather Schubert in upper left corner, excavating with the stronger patients, to make cistern, 1898
New Jesus Hilfe Jerusalem Asylum carriage with the Schuberts and
Sisters, 1906
Jesus Hilfe, plant nursery, bakery and water system, 1907
View of Jesus Hilfe from southeast,
1920's
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Rivka G. Regev explaining cisterns 5 & 6 as illustrated in her book on pages 174-175. Photo by Israel Galon
Elizabeth Schubert's postcard,
1912
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