As Jerusalem grew beyond the narrow walls of the Old City in the late 19th century, it was above all the courage of enterprising pioneers that shaped the face of modern Jerusalem. One of the most significant builders of this era was Shalom Konstrum (also Kunstrom).
Konstrum, better known by his Yiddish nickname “Shalom Blecher” (Shalom the Plumber), was a remarkable building contractor, diplomat, and philanthropist of the late 19th century. The craftsman, born in what is now Belarus, emigrated to Jerusalem at the age of twelve and, thanks to his extraordinary gift for languages – he spoke fluent Arabic, Ladino, Yiddish, and several European languages – became an indispensable mediator between Ottoman authorities, foreign financiers, and Jewish pioneers.
In addition to his pivotal role in the negotiations for the construction of the historic Jaffa–Jerusalem railway line, Konstrum invested his wealth in purchasing land outside the Old City walls. In 1888, he not only founded the neighborhood named after him, Sukkat Shalom, but was also involved in the establishment of today’s Mahane Yehuda market district. He demonstrated his sense of...
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