Mount Zion History

On November 3, 1887, 43 members of the Jewish community met with the purpose of establishing a hospital in the San Francisco area "for the purpose of aiding the indigent sick without regard to race or creed, to be supported by the Jewish community."

It took almost ten years for this dream to become a reality. The hospital began operations under the Mount Zion Association in January of 1897. With the strong support of the three San Francisco rabbis, Jacob Voorsanger of Emanu-El, Jacob Nieto of Sherith Israel, and Myer S. Levy of Neth Israel and the generous contributions of Baroness de Hirsch Gennth, a wooden dwelling on the south side of Sutter Street was purchased for $15,000. Remodeled, it was dedicated on May 7, 1899.

To learn more about developments at Mount Zion over the decades, explore the links in the left menu.

Click here to view an inventory of the Archives of Mount Zion Hospital. These Archives are held at the Western Jewish History Center of the Judah L. Magnes Museum, Berkeley, California. Members of the public may examine the materials by appointment only. Contact information:

Western Jewish History Center
Judah L. Magnes Museum
2911 Russell Street
Berkeley, CA 94705

Phone: 510.549.6950 ext 356
E-mail: wjhc@magnes.org

 

UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion | 1600 Divisadero Street | San Francisco, CA 94115 | 415-567-6600