French Hill (settlement)

History

French Hill is an Israeli settlement northwest of Mount Scopus.[1] It was named after either the British General (later Field Marshall) French or an earlier French church.[2]

It was incorrectly translated into Hebrew as Ha'Giv'a Ha'Tzorfatit after the French people rather than the English General's surname. It is also called "Givat Shapira" (Shapira Hill).

French Hill has a diverse population. Mostly Jewish, it has 3 Orthodox synagogues, a Conservative synagogue (Kehilat Ramot Zion), and a large secular population. There are several Arab families, as well. It is also the site of the first Conservative elementary school, the Frankel School. The founding of the Frankel School led to a new series of schools in Israel, called "Tali" (officially secular schools with added religious studies).

French Hill is built primarily on top of the hill north of Mount Scopus; many Hebrew University teachers choose to live in French Hill. A separate section of French Hill ("Tsameret Ha-Bira", Hebrew for "Top of the Capital") lies on the side of the hill facing Mount Scopus with a view to Hebrew University, Hadassah Hospital, the Dead Sea (only on a very clear day), and the hills of Gilead Jordan in the distance.