From its vantage point overlooking the Old City, the Mount of Olives spans more than 3,000 years of Jewish history. A visitor center currently under construction at the world's oldest and largest Jewish cemetery is scheduled to open in 2027, featuring interactive technology and educational programs aimed at reconnecting Jews globally with this significant site.

Jeff Daube, Israel chair of the International Committee for Har Hazeitim, views the project as extending beyond infrastructure. "We're building far more than a visitor center," He said. "It's going to be a jumping-off point into the cemetery so that young people will be able to engage directly with the personalities buried there and with their own heritage."

Daube arrived in Israel from New York in 2007 and previously led the Zionist Organization of America's Israel operations before joining the Mount of Olives initiative in 2010. Under his involvement, the cemetery has shifted from focusing on security and preservation toward education and Jewish identity.

When Daube became involved, the Mount of Olives faced severe challenges. A 2010 state comptroller report documented widespread neglect, repeated vandalism and security failures at the cemetery, where approximately 150,000 Jews are buried. Visitors experienced stone-throwing attacks, graves were vandalized and sections had deteriorated.

The International Committee for Har Hazeitim partnered with Israeli authorities to establish a police substation, install security cameras and fencing, create monitoring systems and increase patrols. "We started with three mandates: security, security and security," Daube said. He reported no serious vandalism since October 2018, stating "We've turned the mountain around - not 180 degrees yet, but about 160 degrees."

The new facility will use augmented reality, allowing visitors to direct smartphones at gravesites and view historical figures telling their stories on screens. "You'll point your iPhone at the grave of Menachem Begin, for example," Daube said. "Begin will appear on your screen and tell his story. Embedded within that story will be clues leading you to your next stop." The experience will also serve remote students from Jewish schools worldwide.

The cemetery contains graves of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, Rabbi Shlomo Goren and other significant Jewish figures. "The Mount of Olives is the pantheon of Jewish leadership," Daube said. "We want young people to understand that heritage."

Daube, an educator for more than three decades, sees the site as an opportunity to strengthen Jewish identity among young people. "Here you have a fantastic opportunity to increase that Jewish identification," He said. The visitor center will include classrooms and educational programming.

"The visitor center will be open to everybody," Daube said. "Jews, Christians and anyone who wants to understand our history and our connection to Jerusalem." He argued the site addresses misinformation about Israel and Jerusalem: "You can argue about many things. But you cannot argue with the Mount of Olives. There are 150,000 Jews buried there, dating back some 3,000 years. That is incontrovertible evidence of our continuous presence in Jerusalem."

Daily cemetery attendance has risen significantly over the past decade. Daube envisions the Mount of Olives becoming a regular destination for Birthright Israel participants, Jewish day school students and international visitors. Construction is expected to complete in 2027, though he acknowledged major infrastructure projects often face schedule adjustments.