Notes

• See also Yerushalayim.

  When praying, Jews outside of Jerusalem face Jerusalem. Likewise, many Jewish prayers and songs focus on Jerusalem.

  "Since biblical times, Jerusalem has been regarded as a holy city by Jews and later by Christians and then Muslims. King David made Jerusalem his capital (hence its nickname, the City of David), and the ancient Jewish First and Second Temples were built here. The modern city of Jerusalem has grown to encompass many neighborhoods, including the ancient walled section, often called the Old City, as well as outlying suburbs of apartment buildings, universities, museums, and hospitals. As part of the cease-fire in 1949 that ended Israel’s War of Independence, Jerusalem was partitioned. The Old City, including the Western Wall, came under Jordanian control and was closed to Jews. In 1967 during the Six-Day War, Israel captured the Old City and re-unified Jerusalem, opening the holy sites, churches, and mosques to people of all religions." (JPS)