Jerusalem, Jerusalem International YMCA Carillon (Israel)

Past and present

The Jerusalem International YMCA (JIY) was established in 1878 by Dr. Bishara Cana’an as a local branch of the global YMCA movement, which was founded only 34 years earlier in London, England. Initially, the organization occupied small buildings near the old city of Jerusalem. However, during the British Mandate of Palestine, after the end of World War I, Dr. Archibald C. Harte became General Secretary of the JIY and envisioned it as serving a larger purpose as a center for people of all faiths and nationalities who lived in the city.

With a generous donation from American James Newbegin Jarvie, construction of the new YMCA building began. The complex was completed in 1933 and soon became one of Jerusalem’s most famous landmarks, largely due to its 45-meter-high bell tower. The building’s architectural style incorporates elements from Byzantine, Romanesque, Muslim, and Jewish traditions, and many motifs symbolize the connection between the three monotheistic religions. The carillon was a gift by the donor’s niece Amelia Jarvie, who was probably inspired to the idea by the instrument in the church of Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where her summer home was. Due to financial difficulties, only 35 carillon bells were cast instead of the planned 36.

Since its establishment, the Jerusalem International YMCA has aimed to embody the words General Edmund Allenby spoke in his inaugural speech: “Here is a place whose atmosphere is peace, where political and religious jealousies can be forgotten and international unity be fostered and developed.” Since then, the organization has served the local community by offering opportunities for multicultural encounters and providing a safe space for shared life between Israelis and Palestinians. The carillon has an active musical role in this, and over the years it has played music from Arab and Jewish/Israeli repertoires alongside classical and popular tunes. In addition, the carillon holds recitals in honor of major holidays of the three monotheistic religions.

In 2018, the missing bell, with pedal note E flat, was cast and installed, along with a restoration of the entire carillon mechanism. The YMCA’s Carillon remains the only one in the Middle East.

Facts and figures

Number of bells
Total weight of the bells	8400 kg
Weight of the bourdon	1500 kg
Pitch of bourdon	Pitch of the bourdon: D#1, connected to c in the keyboard
Bell-founders	35 Gillett & Johnston 1931-1932; 1 Eijsbouts 2018
Manual playing system	mechanical baton-type keyboard
Automatic playing system	MIDI system with electromagnetic hammers (installed but not yet operational)
Carillonneur	Gaby Shefler; Dr. James Welch; guest carilloneurs from Brigham Young University, Jerusalem
Regular recitals	every Sunday at noon, Holidays
Summer concerts	no
Accessibility of the tower	yes (only in twos, not appointment required)