St. Rachel Centre

The centre, which began its activities at the beginning of September 2016, is on the property of the Capuchin Monastery in Jerusalem. The premises were completely renovated by the Saint James Vicariate, thanks to the assistance of a number of donors including the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, Pontifical Mission, World Vision and the Dear Foundation. A spacious one floor building is situated on a much larger lot with two playgrounds, one for the toddlers and one for the older children. Two large rooms serve as the nursery and sleeping quarters of the babies. Another large room serves as a meeting place for the children who come after school. Other rooms serve as offices, study and meeting rooms and there is also a small apartment for the volunteers.

The new centre is dedicated to Rachel the Matriarch, one of the Bible’s great women and a mother whose love for her children is immortalized in the words of Jeremiah: “Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not” (Jeremiah 31:15).