In April 2009, an exhibition named "Behind the Wall" was opened within the Hospital. The exhibition, funded by the Health Ministry of Health, is an attempt to remember and preserve the unique human story.

Introduction

Hansen’s Hospital, known as the “Lepers” Home, was built in 1887 surrounded by a wall on the remote outskirts of Jerusalem. The city expanded reaching the wall and Hansen Hospital, an architectural treasure, is now situated in the midst of an affluent neighborhood. During the 122 years of its existence around 600 people - young and old, in fact women and men of all cultures and religions - spent their lives within its walls. In the year 2000, the last leprosy in-patients moved out.

This exhibition describes the history of the institution and enables the visitor to gain an impression of the structure, as well as of works of art created on the premises.

Structure of the Exhibition

The exhibition is displayed in four rooms on the ground floor. 16 panels, containing text in Hebrew and English as well as historical photos, describe the history, the structure, the disease and daily life within the institution. Original objects and furniture, which were found around the hospital, are on display. The first room - the dining room - deals with the history and the development of the institution and its architectural features. The second room - the clinic - describes Hansen's disease and its social and cultural aspects. The third room is the patients' room. This is followed by the fourth room - the art gallery.  These rooms, and the corridor leading to them, were renovated to restore them to their original look.

First Room: The Dining Room
The story of the asylum - The late 19^th century until the year 2000

Established in 1887 by the city’s Protestant community as the Jesus Hilfe Asyl (Jesus Help Asylum), it was planned by Conrad Schick, a German missionary and self-taught architect. The spacious two-storey building was set in a large, walled compound containing four water cisterns, a vegetable garden, fruit trees and livestock, and was designed to be self-sufficient. Built to accommodate 60 patients, the asylum was soon known as “The Lepers Home.” It was thought of as a closed institution, but in fact patients were free to leave, and family members could come and visit. The Herrenhut Brotherhood of the Moravian Church ran the facility between 1887 and 1950. Staff came from Europe to care for the patients, who were mostly Moslems, although there were some Christians and a few Jews.  Since an effective cure did not exist, care of the patients was based on the accepted principles of hygiene, fresh air, proper nutrition, physical activity and spiritual support. Working in the garden was part of the healing process and, engaging the patients, helped with the maintenance of the institution.

This asylum, the only one of its kind in the Middle East, was proposed as a model for establishing similar institutions in different places around the world.

In 1950, the Ministry of Health of the State of Israel took over the management of the asylum and renamed it the Hansen Government Hospital. Like the world over, patients were hospitalized for years, sometimes for life. During the 1960-1970s, following advancements made in medical treatment and knowledge, patients were gradually rehabilitated and discharged to live within their families and communities, and new patients were hospitalized for shorter periods. In the year 2000, the last in-patients moved out to old peoples’ homes.

Special items on display: photos from the Herrenhut archives dating circa 1900, an invitation to the cornerstone setting in1885, a washing machine and a sewing machine both from circa 1900.

The structure
The building surrounds a central courtyard, in which a cistern was built to collect rain water drained from the roofs. The thick walls protect the structure from the summer heat and in the cold winter a cast iron heater was lit in each room.  The structure remains in its original format, except for internal changes made to meet needs of ongoing usage. Since 1986 it has been listed for preservation in Jerusalem under the auspices of the Society for Preservation of Israeli Heritage Sites (T.B.A. [City Building Plan] 2097).

Special items on display: coloured plans by Theodor Zandel 1891 (in German) and a cast iron heater.

Second Room: The Doctor's Clinic

Hansen's Disease 

Hansen’s disease is one of the most ancient diseases. The disease and the patients, who were affected by it have suffered throughout history from severe stigma and were often banished from society.

The disease can be treated and completely cured when timely, proper treatment is given.

Since 1985, more than 14 million patients globally have been cured through Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). Following the introduction of MDT, in 1991 the World Health Organization declared its intention to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. Treatment of Hansen’s disease patients has been gradually transferred from specialized institutions to general health services.

In Israel some 200 people (as of 2008) are listed as having Hansen's disease, every year a few new cases are diagnosed and cared for within the framework of the Kupot Holim (healthcare providers) and under the supervision of the Israel Hansen’s Disease Center.

Special items on display: chaulmoogra oil ampoules, MDT blister packs, a restored operating theatre, letters dealing with the stigma and the patients' registry dating back to 1887.

Third Room: The Patients' Room

In this room there are two old beds and a display of patients' personal belongings including letters and postcards, bus tickets, jewellery, books, hats, a walking stick, and a suitcase. On the walls there are photos from different periods showing moments in daily life of patients and staff.

Fourth Room: The Art Gallery

Works of art created by artists at Hansen's Hospital in the years 2003-2009, are on display. The special atmosphere - quiet, solitude, and desolution - were the source of inspiration for these works. The paint brush and camera are simply means used by the artists, enabling them to present their reflections and impressions from different perspectives.

The artists are: Yuval Yairi - digital photography: Roni Barot - oil painting, collage, objet trouvé and plaster; Baruch Gian - photography; Daniela Wexler - digital photography; Ora Zack - oil painting; and Elisheva Smith - photography.

This permanent exhibition was officially opened on 30^th April 2009 in the presence of the Mayor of Jerusalem and around a thousand guests. Architects, historians, artists, retired professionals, a Hansen's disease patient, wealthy residents of Jerusalem, journalists and many others, roamed the building excitedly. Since then, there has been a constant stream of visitors, who are interested and moved by the human story and the beauty of the architectural structure.

Ruth Wexler, Head Nurse
Israel Hansen’s Disease Center
Contact: ruthw@hadassah.org.il AND/OR ruth.wexler@gmail.com 

Oil Paintings: 
- Both by Roni Barot

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