Aliyah

The first secular aliyah, the Bilu'im, was entirely supported by donations. Six out of the first seven colonies were funded by Baron Rothschild. Gedera was rejected by him due to its roots in nihilism, and financially could not stand alone.

In an era of tribal unrest, Bedouin leader Daher el-Omar sought to develop the land and welcomed Jewish settlers known for their deep connection to Israel.

Once a thriving Jewish community with 300-400 families in Jerusalem faced heavy taxes and persecution, making expansion difficult. Despite this, dedicated efforts by Jerusalem's Jewish residents attracted scholars and fueled a renaissance in nearby Safed during a time of relative peace.