How an Armenian Boy Who Narrowly Escaped the Genocide Captured the Soul of Pre-1948 Jerusalem through His Lens
Jerusalem through My Father’s Eyes is a collection of 131 historic black-and-white photographs taken by Elia Kahvedjian between 1924 and 1947, documenting life in Jerusalem before the 1948 War. Published by his son, Kevork Kahvedjian, in 1998, the book captures images of daily life, historic sites, and cultural interactions in Jerusalem. Elia, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, started his photography career in Jerusalem and later moved his studio to the Old City. The collection offers a glimpse into a time of peace and harmony between Jews, Arabs, and Armenians in the city. The Elia Photo-Service shop, now run by his grandson Elie, displays these photos and serves as a tiny museum, preserving the family's photographic legacy.
This entry is original published by My Jerusalem Story .
