Zion Orphanage

Our Story

Zion Orphanage, founded in 1899, is the world's oldest continuously running Jewish orphanage. We provide more than 200 orphaned, homeless and disadvantaged children and youth, ages 3-22, with the warmth and care of a loving family. Each boy and girl – despite a rough start in life – is given a second chance to reach his potential and achieve greatness.

Zion Orphanage serves Jewish children from diverse backgrounds – secular and religious, Ashkenazi and Sephardi. Our thousands of graduates include Knesset members, business leaders, and renowned professionals. With the tender guidance of Zion Orphanage, the boys' early-ingrained "fighting spirit for survival" remained as they matured and re-entered the world, this time from a position of strength.

Our founder, Rabbi A.Y. Blumenthal, pioneered the practice of providing not just a place of refuge, but the highest standards of a stable, healthy environment – driven by a belief in the greatness of every human being. Today, each of our "mishpachtone" family units house 12 boys with a young couple – giving them the priceless benefits of a healthy family setting.

Every child deserves a fair chance.

Zion Orphanage is led by Rabbi Baruch Rakovsky and Mrs. Rivka Rakovsky, direct descendents of Rabbi Blumenthal, along with a staff of 80 experts in education, therapy, healthcare, and vocational training. Our one-acre campus is located in the heart of Jerusalem.

Zion Orphanage is dedicated to nurturing each boy's creativity and passion. We provide a variety of activities and therapies including gymnastics, martial arts, volleyball, soccer, arts and crafts, animal-assisted therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, book library, computers, electronics and more.

The Talmud teaches: "Whoever saves a life as if he saved an entire world." Every day at Zion Orphanage, we see this adage literally playing out in front of our eyes.

Please join in providing these precious Jewish children with the physical, emotional and educational needs they so richly deserve.

Years of Service

The world's longest-running Jewish orphanage.

Alumni

Knesset members, business leaders, and professionals

Boys Residing

A warm and loving home in Jerusalem.

Activities

Music, arts, fitness, and more!

Featured Alumni

The mission of Zion Orphanage is to nurture every boy's unique potential.
We are proud to count some of Israel's brightest and best among our alumni.

Moshe Abutbul

Mayor of Beit Shemesh

Born in Be'er Sheva, Moshe entered Zion Orphanage at age 9. In 2009, he was elected Mayor of Beit Shemesh, Israel's 15th-largest city. He cites "lessons learned growing up in Zion Orphanage" as integral to his success in building and nurturing the city.

David Azulay z'l

Member of Knesset

Originally from Morocco, David spent 7 years at Zion Orphanage. An educator and expert in social welfare issues, David was elected to the Israeli Knesset in 1997.

Yechezkel Tzion

World-renowned Cantor

Born to a musical family from Baghdad, Yechezkel spent his formative years at Zion Orphanage. He has served as cantor of large congregations, performed concerts worldwide, and released 30 CDs.

Avraham Ravitz, zt"l

Member of Knesset

Born in Tel Aviv, Avraham grew up at Zion Orphanage. He served in the pre-State Lehi and later in the IDF. He was a beloved and respected Member of Knesset from 1988-2008, holding two Deputy Minister posts.

Our Staff

Mrs. Rivka Rakovsky

Mrs. Rivka Rakovsky is the granddaughter of our founder, Rabbi Avraham Y. Blumenthal. She says: "The joy radiating from the children’s faces testifies that Zion Orphanage is alive and well!"

R' Baruch Rakovsky

R' Baruch Rakovsky, CEO, is a Jerusalem native and direct descendant of the founder of Zion Orphanage. His warm and caring approach inspires all activities at the home.

R' Gershon Unger

Rabbi Gershon Unger, as Director of Development, is responsible for advancing the Zion boys' care. He also serves as liaison for Zion Orphanage supporters. A native of Southern California, Rabbi Unger was program director at Aish HaTorah Jerusalem for 11 years, before coming to Zion Orphanage.

R' Asher Jacobs

Head of our Yagdil Torah High School program

Ilana Rosenbloom

The Orphanage house nurse (and wife of Itzik).

R' Avraham Steinbruch

Teacher and counselor

Itzik Rosenbloom

Director of the children's extra-curricular activities.

Faigy Glick

Animal-assisted therapist

Nachman Porat

Drum teacher

Yochai Leshem

Child Psychologist

Joseph Kaplan

Wrestling Instructor

Jacob Shapira

Child Psychologist

Asher Horonchick

Photography Instructor

Asher Jungreis

Adolescent Social Worker

Gabi Elesry

Senior counselor

Shalom Kinnory

Choir instructor

Ovadia Siri

Counselor

R' Eliyahu Nitanyan

Head of our Shifty High School Program

Yichiel Sachy

Social worker for high school programs

Yonaton Shlomo

Guitar instructor

Yose Nitanyan

Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Zion Orphanage

Yonason Hill

Guitar and voice teacher

Shuky Attia

Teacher for Yagdil Torah high school program

Shalom Elchanan Elbaum

English Teacher

Endorsements

Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt"l was the leader of Torah Jewry until his death in 2012 and a supporter of Zion orphanage. Here he greets Zion boys at his home in Jerusalem.

Moshe Abutbul entered Zion Orphanage at age 9. He cites "lessons learned growing up in Zion Orphanage" as integral to his success as Mayor of Beit Shemesh, Israel's 15th-largest city.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l, the most important Sefardi rabbi of the 20th century, held a special place in his heart for Zion Orphanage. Here he greets Zion boys at his home in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Eli and Sandra Mansour are long-standing generous supporters of Zion Orphanage. Pictured is Rabbi Mansour with Rabbi Gershon Unger during a recent visit to the orphanage.

The current Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (L) and Rabbi David Lau (C), join a Zion boy's Bar Mitzvah celebration at the orphanage.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (R) tours the Zion Orphanage campus with CEO Rabbi Baruch Rakovsky.

David Azulay, Israeli Minister of Religious Affairs, spent 7 years living at Zion Orphanage in Jerusalem, which he credits for instilling his core values and work ethic.

The popular Jewish singer, Yaakov Shwekey (R), appears at a Zion Orphanage event with Yechezkel Tzion (L), the world-renowned cantor who spent his formative years at Zion Orphanage.

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, the foremost authority on Jewish law today, is an avid supporter of Zion Orphanage. Here he greets Zion boys at his home in Bnei Brak, Israel.

Nissim Black, after filming a <a href="https://www.zionorphanage.com/en/nissim-black-video.php">music video</a> featuring the Zion boys: "I had a difficult childhood and know how important it is to have a safe haven. After spending time with the beautiful kids at Zion Orphanage, I am inspired."

Nissim Black, after filming a music video featuring the Zion boys: "I had a difficult childhood and know how important it is to have a safe haven. After spending time with the beautiful kids at Zion Orphanage, I am inspired."

Hot Off The Press

The Inspiring Story of Zion Orphanage

A century ago in Jerusalem, amidst desperate circumstances of hunger, disease and Arab marauders, one man accepted the task of caring for hundreds of homeless Jewish children.

Now for the first time, you can read the remarkable story of Rabbi Avraham Y. Blumenthal, the founder of Zion Orphanage whose spirit of generosity and compassion continues today at our thriving Jerusalem campus.

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