(Jacob's maternal great-grandfather) was born in Jerusalem in 1873.
He lived in the old city of Jerusalem from 1873-1932.
From 1932 to 1941 he lived in the Yemin Moshe neighborhood in Jerusalem. He learned at Yeshivat Etz-Haim and was a student of HaRav Moshe Nechemiah Kahanov. He received Rabbinical ordination [smichah], and was the assistant to Yechiel Michel Pines. From 1893 he was secretary of the Jerusalem Hospital.
Pinchas Grayevski was a well known Jerusalem historian.
Between 1896 and 1926 he wrote over 600 articles for newspapers in Israel and abroad under different pen names. He collected historical Jerusalem documents, biographical sketches, articles about institutions, events and life of the old Jewish yishuv in Jerusalem. His research was published in many Hebrew booklets and books. Titles include: "B'not Tzion VeYerushalim", "B'not Tzion HaMetzuyanot", "Zichronot Kedumim", "MiGinzei Yerushalaim", "Zichron LaChovevim HaRishonim", "Avnei Zikaron", "K'neset Yerushalaim", "Sefer HaZikaron" and more.
Here is one item that leaves an impression:From 1948 to 1967 Jordan occupied the oldest Jewish cemetary in the world: Har HaZeitim (Mount of Olives). Jewish burials were halted, massive vandalism took place, and 40,000 of the 50,000 graves were desecrated. King Hussein permitted the construction of the Intercontinental Hotel at the summit of the Mount of Olives together with a road that cut through the cemetery which destroyed hundreds of Jewish graves, some from the First Temple Period. The destruction was unbridled and premeditated. Ancient tombstones were ripped out to be used as latrine floors, urinal walls and pavement stones. Garbage was regularly dumped on the tombs.
After the Six-Day War, restoration work began, and the cemetery was re-opened for burials. My mom (z"l) told me that the Israeli government used my great grandfather's research to reconstruct many of the graves and tombstones on Har HaZeitim.
Both my grandparents, great grandparents and other relatives are buried on Har HaZeitim.
For additional information about Pinchas Grayevsky see:The Encyclopedia of the Founders and Builders of Israel - page 476
Below are several photos and documents I obtained.
I may add additional ones in the future.
Rav Pinchas Mordechai ben Rav Tzvi Grayevsky
14 of Adar, 5633 - 13 of Adar, 5701 (1873-1941)
Grayevsky Family - Jerusalem 1913
My grandmother (Tzvia Rivkah) is 13 years old
3rd from right side smiling
Purim in Jerusalem around 1915
My grandmother (Tzvia Rivkah) is about 15 years old
She sitting in white with basket
Grayevsky Street in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem
(named after my great grandfather)
Hebrew Article about the Daugthers of Zion
"Et Mol" - Issue January 2001
Gravesite of Rav Pinchas Mordechai ben Rav Tzvi Grayevsky z"l
Mount of Olives Cemetery - Gravesite Location
