Tour Global Jewish Life: Thessaloniki, Greece

As Sephardi Jews settled in the Ottoman Empire, Thessaloniki, Greece became one of the most important centers of Jewish life. The city earned the monikers “Madre de Israel” (“Mother in Israel”) and “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” This talk will highlight some of the most important figures and events from Salonica’s rich Jewish history. What effect did the charismatic false messiah Sabbatai Zevi have on the Jews of 17th-century Salonica? How did the Donme Jewish sect emerge, and why was it so influential? Learn about the birth of Ladino literature and the Thessaloniki-based circle of 19th-century Sephardi intellectuals who shaped the contemporary image of the city’s Jewish past. We will also travel through the picturesque sites of Salonica and visit its sumptuous synagogue, the iconic White Tower, the Thessaloniki port, and much more.