About Our Fellowship

The Bereshit (beginning) of Mount Zion Fellowship

 

Founded in the heart of Jerusalem, Israel, Mount Zion Fellowship took its inaugural steps in 1972. The visionary minds behind its creation were five remarkable women: Ruth Heflin, Susan Woodaman, Janet Saunders, Alice Ford, and Irene Bredlow. Among them, Irene was the sole Canadian, while the others hailed from America.

 

The journey commenced when Susan Woodaman and Irene Bredlow arrived in Jerusalem in early September 1972. Their mission was twofold: securing living arrangements and finding a sacred space for worship. A month later, Ruth Heflin joined them along with a small group of young Americans. During their stay from October 1972 to May 1973, the group engaged in Hebrew studies and worshiped in collaboration with St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Additionally, they hosted their worship and praise gatherings at St. Peter En Gallicantu Church on Mount Zion four times a week for eight years, facilitated by the generosity of the church fathers.

 

Following this period, the group returned to America and embarked on an outreach mission in France and Europe, urging Jews to consider "Aliya" (Immigrating to Israel).

 

In September 1975, Ruth, Susan, Janet, Irene, and Alice reunited in Jerusalem, persisting in their mission to encourage Jews to make Aliya. Their strategy included supporting the returning individuals in seamlessly integrating into Jewish life in Israel. To facilitate this ongoing effort, the group applied for visas to establish permanent personnel on the ground. In 1976, A-3 visas were granted to Ruth Heflin, Susan Woodaman, and Janet Saunders.

 

Subsequently, Susan secured the Halcyon House, a spacious residence in the Sheikh Jarrah area, as the Headquarters of Mount Zion Fellowship in October. This location, after being transformed into a "House of Prayer," received full exemption from city Arnona taxes from the Municipality of Jerusalem in April 1978.