Solomou Street had only Jewish-owned shops before World War II, Djahon recalled of the narrow street just south of Egnatia. So did Iraklio Street, where Dass was the butcher, Cohen sold fruit, and the Modiano market was the best market of all. The Alpha Odeon Plateia, a mall on Iraklio Street, now covers the block where Djahon s father once directed 2,000 employees of the Austro-Elleni Tobacco Factory. Greece usually supports the Arab side in disputes at the United Nations, but there is trade with Israel. Sights Start with the new Jewish museum at 13 Agiou Mina at Venizelou just off Plateia Eleftherias, open Sunday and Tuesday through Friday 11 to 2, as well as 5 to 8 on Wednesday and Thursday.
Visitors can view a tombstone dating back to the thirteenth century.
In the lobby of this office building the door to the synagogue is on the left. The marble bima is in the center, as is customary in Sefardic synagogues. Northeast of the White Tower, the emblem of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki stands on the site of the old Jewish cemetery. To see how well-heeled Jews lived at the turn of the century, start east of the tower and follow Vassilisis Olgas Street, which parallels the waterfront and leads toward the airport. Before you get to those mansions, Olgas crosses Saadi Levi Street, named for the publisher of one of Thessaloniki s first Jewish newspapers.