In the Footsteps of the Jews of Greece by Anastasios Karababas
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From Ancient Times to the Present
Greek Jewry has a unique history in Europe. Greek Judaism is possibly the oldest faith on the continent. The Hellenized Romaniotes, the Sephardim from the western Mediterranean and the Ashkenazim from central Europe created a mosaic of communities across the country, each one with its own fascinating history and tradition. Thessaloniki, the ‘ Jerusalem of the Balkans’ , Ioannina, the capital of the Romaniotes, Larissa, Volos, Patra, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Athens, and many others. These Jewish communities, together but also individually, are an integral part of the Greece’ s rich history. This pioneering book presents a unique detailed historical overview of the history of Greek Jews from antiquity to the present day, including the period of the Shoah when nearly 90% of the community was annihilated. Beyond this historical landscape, the book also highlights the contributions of Greek Jews to the economic, cultural, intellectual and political life of the country, and reveals the golden times and the darkest days in the coexistence between Jews and Christians in Greece.
Year first published: 2024
This sounds like a must read. I have recently been studying the Jewish community in Eastern Europe, and was was embarrassed by my lack of knowledge about the vast scope and contributions made in that environment. This of course includes the Haskalah not to mention horror of the Pale of Settlement and accompanying pogroms. I greatly look forward to the above texts. Thanks so much.