Turkey’s Jews publicly celebrate Hanukkah for the first time in modern history

[xenon54 out]

Chief Rabbi Izak Haleva (C) and Beşiktaş Mayor Murat Hazinedar (2-L) (Photo by Murat Hazinedar)

Turkey's Jewish community celebrated Hanukkah on Sunday, which marked a milestone in the history of the 92-year old republic. For the first time in contemporary history, Turkey's Jewry openly celebrated the holiday in Istanbul's Ortaköy square which is located near the Bosphorus and accommodates the famous Büyük Mecidiye (Ortaköy) Mosque.

The celebration was organized by Beşiktaş Municipality. Before lighting the Hanukkah candles with the Chief Rabbi İzak Haleva, Beşiktaş Mayor Murat Hazinedar gave a speech to the attendees and the members of the Jewish community and wished that "the Hanukkah candles enlighten the whole World."

Photo collage by Ivo Molinas, the editor-in-chief of Şalom weekly

In his speech during the celebration, head of Turkey's Jewish Community Ishak Ibrahimzadeh gave a speech in which emphasized the importance of unity as a nation and offered "heartfelt thanks" to the Turkish state, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials, citizens and "dear Turkey as a whole."

The Jewish community has been considered a cultural richness in Turkey since they inhabited the country hundreds of years ago. By the end of the fifteenth century, scores of Safarad Jews took refuge in the Ottoman Empire, and since then they have been living peacefully alongside many other religious or ethnic groups in the country.

Renovated over a four-year period and funded by the government, the historic Kal Kadoş Ha Gadol Synagogue in the western Edirne province was reopened in March. Nowadays, it serves both as a museum and a place of worship as part of Turkey's efforts to win back the hearts and minds of minorities that havesuffered from suppressive policies in the past.

The Jewish community in Turkey also host iftar dinners in the holy month of Ramadan for hundreds of Muslims.

Turkey's Jewry usually state that they do not suffer from any kind of segregation or discrimination in the country. The community rejects allegations in news sources or dailies that the Turkish state promotes anti-Semitism in the country with "many Jews deciding to go to Spain where a law of return is presently being legislated."

In a statement to Daily Sabah, Turkey's Jewish community refuted the accusation of pressure from the Turkish state on their community and said: "Pressure from the state is out of question."

Turkey’s Jews publicly celebrate Hanukkah for the first time in modern history - Daily Sabah

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

quiet an interesting development

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

Chief Rabbi Izak Haleva (C) and Beşiktaş Mayor Murat Hazinedar (2-L) (Photo by Murat Hazinedar)

Turkey's Jewish community celebrated Hanukkah on Sunday, which marked a milestone in the history of the 92-year old republic. For the first time in contemporary history, Turkey's Jewry openly celebrated the holiday in Istanbul's Ortaköy square which is located near the Bosphorus and accommodates the famous Büyük Mecidiye (Ortaköy) Mosque.

The celebration was organized by Beşiktaş Municipality. Before lighting the Hanukkah candles with the Chief Rabbi İzak Haleva, Beşiktaş Mayor Murat Hazinedar gave a speech to the attendees and the members of the Jewish community and wished that "the Hanukkah candles enlighten the whole World."

Photo collage by Ivo Molinas, the editor-in-chief of Şalom weekly

In his speech during the celebration, head of Turkey's Jewish Community Ishak Ibrahimzadeh gave a speech in which emphasized the importance of unity as a nation and offered "heartfelt thanks" to the Turkish state, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials, citizens and "dear Turkey as a whole."

The Jewish community has been considered a cultural richness in Turkey since they inhabited the country hundreds of years ago. By the end of the fifteenth century, scores of Safarad Jews took refuge in the Ottoman Empire, and since then they have been living peacefully alongside many other religious or ethnic groups in the country.

Renovated over a four-year period and funded by the government, the historic Kal Kadoş Ha Gadol Synagogue in the western Edirne province was reopened in March. Nowadays, it serves both as a museum and a place of worship as part of Turkey's efforts to win back the hearts and minds of minorities that havesuffered from suppressive policies in the past.

The Jewish community in Turkey also host iftar dinners in the holy month of Ramadan for hundreds of Muslims.

Turkey's Jewry usually state that they do not suffer from any kind of segregation or discrimination in the country. The community rejects allegations in news sources or dailies that the Turkish state promotes anti-Semitism in the country with "many Jews deciding to go to Spain where a law of return is presently being legislated."

In a statement to Daily Sabah, Turkey's Jewish community refuted the accusation of pressure from the Turkish state on their community and said: "Pressure from the state is out of question."

Turkey’s Jews publicly celebrate Hanukkah for the first time in modern history - Daily Sabah

why first time?

 

[xenon54 out]

why first time?

Its not like they are able to celebrate it the first time but the first time publicly with high ranking state officials.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

I like this contrast.

 

[type93]

I wonder how they feel about erdogan's antisemitism

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Chief Rabbi Izak Haleva (C) and Beşiktaş Mayor Murat Hazinedar (2-L) (Photo by Murat Hazinedar)

Turkey's Jewish community celebrated Hanukkah on Sunday, which marked a milestone in the history of the 92-year old republic. For the first time in contemporary history, Turkey's Jewry openly celebrated the holiday in Istanbul's Ortaköy square which is located near the Bosphorus and accommodates the famous Büyük Mecidiye (Ortaköy) Mosque.

The celebration was organized by Beşiktaş Municipality. Before lighting the Hanukkah candles with the Chief Rabbi İzak Haleva, Beşiktaş Mayor Murat Hazinedar gave a speech to the attendees and the members of the Jewish community and wished that "the Hanukkah candles enlighten the whole World."

Photo collage by Ivo Molinas, the editor-in-chief of Şalom weekly

In his speech during the celebration, head of Turkey's Jewish Community Ishak Ibrahimzadeh gave a speech in which emphasized the importance of unity as a nation and offered "heartfelt thanks" to the Turkish state, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials, citizens and "dear Turkey as a whole."

The Jewish community has been considered a cultural richness in Turkey since they inhabited the country hundreds of years ago. By the end of the fifteenth century, scores of Safarad Jews took refuge in the Ottoman Empire, and since then they have been living peacefully alongside many other religious or ethnic groups in the country.

Renovated over a four-year period and funded by the government, the historic Kal Kadoş Ha Gadol Synagogue in the western Edirne province was reopened in March. Nowadays, it serves both as a museum and a place of worship as part of Turkey's efforts to win back the hearts and minds of minorities that havesuffered from suppressive policies in the past.

The Jewish community in Turkey also host iftar dinners in the holy month of Ramadan for hundreds of Muslims.

Turkey's Jewry usually state that they do not suffer from any kind of segregation or discrimination in the country. The community rejects allegations in news sources or dailies that the Turkish state promotes anti-Semitism in the country with "many Jews deciding to go to Spain where a law of return is presently being legislated."

In a statement to Daily Sabah, Turkey's Jewish community refuted the accusation of pressure from the Turkish state on their community and said: "Pressure from the state is out of question."

Turkey’s Jews publicly celebrate Hanukkah for the first time in modern history - Daily Sabah

When Jewish people were driven out of Spain,they found a place to live and prosper in the Ottoman Empire. They held important positions in the government, did great in business and excelled in professions like medicine etc.

 

[SHAMK9]

Turkish society is perfect example to follow.

 

[Solomon2]

Turkish society is perfect example to follow.

The first vision of the Zionists was to establish a Jewish vilayet under Ottoman rule. The return of Jews to the Holy Land from Europe and Yemen was well underway at the outbreak of WWI a century ago. Ben-Gurion trained as an Ottoman lawyer. I sometimes wonder how the Middle East would have been different if the Ottomans hadn't sided with the Kaiser and stayed neutral instead.