Stunning Photos of Jews Living in Pre-State Israel

An incredible collection of pre-state photos showing Jewish life and the throws of war, all masterfully restored and colored

By Israel Today Staff |

Before the Jewish state was officially proclaimed there were already quite a few Jews living in the country of their ancestors. The MyHeritage.com has taken black and white photos and lovingly colored them offering a wonderful insight into these moving years.

Jewish homes in tenement building, Bukharan Quarter, Jerusalem.
1 / 19 Jewish homes in tenement building, Bukharan Quarter, Jerusalem. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Armed British soldiers at the entrance to the Lions’ Gate, April 8, 1920.
2 / 19 Armed British soldiers at the entrance to the Lions’ Gate, April 8, 1920. Photo: MyHeritage.com
The Old City of Jerusalem, near the Tower of David. Early 20th century.
3 / 19 The Old City of Jerusalem, near the Tower of David. Early 20th century. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Praying at the Western Wall, early 20th century.
4 / 19 Praying at the Western Wall, early 20th century. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Ein Kerem, early 20th century. This is the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist, and is today a neighborhood of Jerusalem.
5 / 19 Ein Kerem, early 20th century. This is the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist, and is today a neighborhood of Jerusalem. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Jewish children and adults marching the Nablus Road toward the tomb of Shimon Hatzadik, 1918.
6 / 19 Jewish children and adults marching the Nablus Road toward the tomb of Shimon Hatzadik, 1918. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Convoy of German prisoners of war on the streets of Jerusalem, 1917.
7 / 19 Convoy of German prisoners of war on the streets of Jerusalem, 1917. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Young Jewish man walking past a group of children in the alleys of the Old City, in the mid-1920s.
8 / 19 Young Jewish man walking past a group of children in the alleys of the Old City, in the mid-1920s. Photo: MyHeritage.com
1929 Palestine riots. Armed British forces march through the city in an attempt to establish order.
9 / 19 1929 Palestine riots. Armed British forces march through the city in an attempt to establish order. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Children on a sled in Jerusalem, early 1920s.
10 / 19 Children on a sled in Jerusalem, early 1920s. Photo: MyHeritage.com
The surrender of Jerusalem to the British, December 9, 1917. First British guard at the Jaffa Gate.
11 / 19 The surrender of Jerusalem to the British, December 9, 1917. First British guard at the Jaffa Gate. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Jews are standing in the line outside the post office waiting to send a telegraph during the 1929 riots.
12 / 19 Jews are standing in the line outside the post office waiting to send a telegraph during the 1929 riots. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Jewish families escaping the old city during the 1929 riots.
13 / 19 Jewish families escaping the old city during the 1929 riots. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Lining up at a water well in Jerusalem, early 1930s.
14 / 19 Lining up at a water well in Jerusalem, early 1930s. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Arab riots in the old city of Jerusalem, 1929.
15 / 19 Arab riots in the old city of Jerusalem, 1929. Photo: MyHeritage.com
The surrender of Jerusalem to the British, December 9, 1917. The Mayor of Jerusalem, with white flag, offers surrender to two British tommies.
16 / 19 The surrender of Jerusalem to the British, December 9, 1917. The Mayor of Jerusalem, with white flag, offers surrender to two British tommies. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Winston Churchill with Bishop MacInnes of Jerusalem, at the memorial service in the Military Cemetery on Mt. Scopus. March 26, 1921.
17 / 19 Winston Churchill with Bishop MacInnes of Jerusalem, at the memorial service in the Military Cemetery on Mt. Scopus. March 26, 1921. Photo: MyHeritage.com
The raising of the siege of Jerusalem. Distribution of bread by the American Colony Association in the streets of Jerusalem in 1938.
18 / 19 The raising of the siege of Jerusalem. Distribution of bread by the American Colony Association in the streets of Jerusalem in 1938. Photo: MyHeritage.com
Vegetable market, Romema, Jerusalem, 1934-1939.
19 / 19 Vegetable market, Romema, Jerusalem, 1934-1939. Photo: MyHeritage.com

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