As a result of this, the London Jews Society (CMJ as it was known back then) established a British Consulate in Jerusalem, giving CMJ the ability to acquire property.
Rev Aaron noted that this set off a chain reaction amongst the Powers of Europe. Once the consulate arrived, many other countries including France, Russia, Austria and the U.S established consulates in Jerusalem, placing the importance city back on the political map.
The same happened with hospitals. Once the Mission built hospitals the other communities and Powers built rival institutions. To the effect that on Prophet Street in Jerusalem, there once stood nine hospitals side by side. CMJ also established houses of industry and taught woodwork and stone masonry, and the working of mother of pearl to the local Jewish and Arab peoples.
One of the noteworthy and longstanding impacts CMJ has given to the region was in the introduction of female education to the Middle East. When the Mission arrived in the Middle East, male education was of poor quality and female education was non-existent. CMJ established the first school for girls in the entire Middle East in Jerusalem during the 1840’s.
In response to having their daughters attend the Mission School and potentially hearing the Gospel, the other communities of Jerusalem - the Arabs, Turks and Jewish People built their own schools for girls to protect their daughters.
This ‘Promoting Jealousy’ of building consulates, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure in Jewish and Arab communities led to competition amongst the World Powers to follow suit in the Middle East.
A region long forgotten by Europe, thus a solid foundation for the reestablishment of the state of Israel and modern Jerusalem in 1948 was laid.
MAYIM MAGAZINE
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