From: emc@doe.carleton.ca (Eli Chiprout)
Subject: 500 years of Jewish/gentile harmony (part I)
Keywords: Turkey, Sepharadim
Organization: Dept. of Electronics, Carleton University
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 15:43:39 GMT


	TUKISH-JEWISH HARMONY: A CELEBRATION OF 500
	YEARS OF COOPERATION AND PEACE

500 years ago, with the sailing of Columbus to discover the new
world for Europe, thousands of Jews were forced to relocate from
their beloved homes in Spain simply because they were Jews.  That
event, tragic as it was, brought a ray of hope.

Last night I attended one of the highlight nights of the Sepharad 92
set of activities to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the 
expulsion of the Jews from Spain.  The event was co-sponsored by
the Turkish-Canadian Cultural Association and the Ottawa Speharad
Committee, and was attended by approx. 200 people including Itzhak
Shelef, Israeli Ambassador, Ugurtan Akinci, Turkish Ambassador
as well as by Allan Rose, Executive Director, Canadian Jewish Congress.
I will give a brief summary to those who are interested.

The evening was significant for two reasons.  It was an evening to
thank the Turkish people for taking in thousands of Jews, when 
Christian Europe decided to kick them out of the Iberian peninsula
as well as various parts of Europe. It was Sultan Beyazit II
(c. 1447-1512) who proclaimed the Ottoman Empire a haven for the
Jews of Spain.  According to R. Eliahu Capsali, 16th century
Ottoman Jewish historian,

"The Sultan Beyazit, King of Turkey, heard of all the
evil that the Spanish king had brought upon the Jews and
heard that they were seeking refuge and a resting place. He
took pity on them and wrote them letters and sent emissaries
to proclaim throughout his kingdom that none of his city 
rulers may be wicked enough to refuse entry to the Jews or
to expel them.  Instead they were to be given gracious 
welcome.  Anyone who did not behave in this way would be
put to death (Quoted in Jerusalem Post 12-2-89:4)"

Over 70% of the Jews fleeing Spain -- more than 100,000 people --
found refuge in the Ottoman Empire, where they prospered,
because of the gracious foresight of Sultan Beyazit II.
A significant portion of Jewish history would have been 
erased was it not for this act. 

( Even before this event, thousands of Jews had been living peacefully 
in Turkey since the 4th century BCE including the large
Karaite community as well as many other communities.  Synagogues
have been uncovered in Sardis dating from 220 BCE and along
the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts.)

The evening was also to present a wonderful set of 
photographs, that has been circulating in the States
this year, showing the Jewish community in Turkey including 
some presently reconstructed synagogues and Jewish schools.
The exhibition was entitled "Turkish Jews: 500 years of
Harmony" and was produced by the Judah L. Magnes Museum in
Berkley, California.  The photographs were by Ibrahim
Karamemet and will be on display for this week befor moving
on to Toronto and then to Palm Springs California.

Earlier this year, a lager meeting was organized by the Ottawa
Sepharad 92 committee to launch the 500th year activities.
I also attended and present, were the ambassadors of Spain,
Turkey, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Portugal, Greece and of
course Israel.

These events highlighted a very warm cooperation that has 
been going on for the last two years between the Sepahrdic
Jews of Ottawa and the liasons with the Turkish community
and embassay.  We have found them truly willing to work 
together in every way, and some very good friendships have
developed as a result.

In Part 2 I will give a brief summary of the Quincenteniannial
Foundation of Istanbul and give an overview of some of the
material that they offer for your interest.  


--
Eli Chiprout                  " 'Al ta'am vereach, ein lehitvakeah!"
Dept. of Electronics, 
Carleton University, Canada
emc@doe.carleton.ca