JEWISH Izmir

Izmir: The First Juderia

and 2 other Tours

Guides

Yusuf Savat

and 1 other Guides

Pastor Historical

and 2 other Hotels

Virtual Tours in the Diaspora

Mengoli

and 2 other Restaurants

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אתרים מומלצים Sites to see

Sites

Etz Hayim Synagogue

A document beloning to Salomon Ben Ezra, who died in 1688, mentions that Muslim Turks prayed in the only existing synagogue of Izmir. The period mentioned in this document is thought to coincide with the period of the Turkish conquest of Izmir and that they prayed in this synagogue since there was no mosque in the city. This synagogue, surviving through the dangers of fire and earthquakes many times, was damaged in the fire of 1841 and Daniel de Sidi had it repaired in 1851. The synagogue originally built in a central plan. Inspired by European synagogue architecture, in the early twentieth century, the Tevah was moved from the center to the sides of the Ehal.

Sites

Portuguese Synagogue

The Portuguese Synagogue is the only synagogue in Izmir which identifies the origin of its founders. It is one of the six synagogues known to have existed in the period of Chief Rabbi Joseph Escapa, i.e., as of 1620s, and is referred to be the largest synagogue in Izmir in that period. Portuguese Synagogue, considered to be the fortress of the anti-Sabbataists, closed its gates to Sabbatai Zvi when his movement expanded. On the other hand, Sabbatai and his supporters entered the synagogue by breaking the gates and chased away the rabbis who were the leaders of their opponents. Salomon Algazi, one of the founders of Algazi Synagogue, was among them. When Sabbatai Zvi declared himself as the Messiah of the Jews and 18th June 1666 as the deliverance day in that raid, Portuguese Synagogue became the headquarters of the Sabbataist movement and a large group of the Jews of Izmir joined the movement. Portuguese Synagogue was burnt in 1976 and restored in 2018, to serve as a social activities center.

Sites

Bet Hillel Synagogue

Bet Hillel Synagogue was established in the house of the Palachi family. Rabbi Hayim Palachi (1788-1869) and his son Rabbi Abraham Palachi (1809-1899) were the most prominent theologians of the Izmir Jewish community in the 19th century. Both being referred to as the greatest men of the period, their reputation went beyond Izmir and the Ottoman Empire then, causing the Jewish theologues of Europe and Middle East to come to Izmir for consultation. Rabbi Hayim Palachi wrote a total of 72 books all through his life, and of these, 26 books were published. He was awarded the “theologian responsible for justice” in 1861 by the Sultan Abdulmecid. Along with the tomb of Rabbi Hayim Palachi and the Mikveh (purification pool) in the Gurcesme cemetery, Bet Hillel Synagogue is believed to be among the holy places by Palachi’s students.

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Tours of Izmir

Izmir: The First Juderia

Dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the Jewish heritage of Izmir exhibits a unique character with its dominant Sephardic traditions of religion and culture. Some preserved, some in ruins, examples of magnificent synagogues built in previous centuries in Izmir, remain today within the First Juderia. They constitute a living testimony to community’s life in Izmir, which was one of the most spectacular of its kind and had the most spiritual and cultural influence on all Jewish diaspora communities in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Jewish Heritage Tours in Izmir

Jewish heritage of Izmir exhibits a unique character with its Sephardic traditions of religion and worship, along with the architectural styles of the synagogues that existed in medieval Spain. The global objective of this project is to develop a new platform of civil society organisations led by İzmir Jewish Community Foundation for sustaining the Jewish Heritage within the cultural wealth of İzmir, Turkey. The proposed action will; (a) establish a new platform strengthening Izmir Jewish Community Foundation’s networks ability to outreach and communicate towards their constituencies, (b) promote strategic collaboration between Izmir Jewish Community Foundation and other similar civil society organizations in EU and in Turkey, as well as public authorities at local and/or national levels for monitoring of public action, advocacy, participation in decision-making process such as developing city plans of İzmir and preserving cultural heritage. It also intends to provide opportunities for individuals and communities to analyse global transformations, enrich the debate on the future of intercultural dialogues, promote new types of cooperation, become more familiar with the heritages of different areas, and contribute to economic and human development.

Jewish Heritage Tour Izmir

Departure from your hotel. Visit Bet Israel Synagogue which is the largest synagogue in Izmir built in 1907. Then visit the Kemeraltı district and see the Synagogues street. Visit the Bikur Holim synagogue founded in 1724 by Shlomo de Chaves, who donated the building to the community for use as a synagogue. The name of the synagogue 'Bikur Holim' was given to it when the basement of the building was converted to a hospital during the cholera plague that struck the city. Then continue to Algazi Synagogue located at the heart of the ancient complex of synagogues in the market place in Izmir, is one of the most beautiful of its kind in the city. Built in 1724 and renovated several times it is associated with the Algazi family, who was a well-known family of poets and rabbis in Izmir. Rabbi Shlomo Elgazi, a disciple of Rabbi Yosef Eskapa, was known with his firm opposition to Shabbai Zvi during the turbulent days of this episode. This synagogue also suffered from ravages of time and nature and was renovated several times. At the same area we will also see some abandoned synagogues then we will proceed to Senora Synagogue built in the sixties of the 17th century, but since then has gone through far-reaching changes, constructions, and many renovations. Its structure is a beautiful gem, with an entrance through an iron gate, hiding behind it a lovely garden leading to the upper women's gallery at the synagogue. Back to the hotel, end of our services.

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מסעדות בסגנון יהודי JEWISH STYLE RESTAURANTS

Mengoli

Our certified meats are specially prepared for mengoli in a specialist farm. We rest our meats without freezing, so that they are always fresh and delicious. We prepare our hamburger patties daily with sufficiently rested, fresh and delicious meat. We do not add any additives because real hamburgers are made with pure and expertly cooked meatballs. Every day, we bake the freshest and most delicious breads in our own kitchen with completely natural ingredients and mengoli expertise. We want our additive-free, homemade bread to add flavor to our hamburger patties because real hamburgers are made with pure and expertly baked

Kalimera

Kalimera Fish Restaurant is at your service in Kemeraltı with its fish experience of more than 30 years. Kalimera Fish Restaurant, which has become an indispensable part of the taste buds with its friendly, natural and rich menus, is waiting for its new friends that it has not met yet with its high-level understanding of quality.

Tavaci Recep Usta

Great restaurants for meat lovers with many dishes of lamb, kebabs, and soft-grilled meat.

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מדריכים בעיר CITY GUIDES

Guides

Yusuf Savat

Yusuf Savat is the managing director of a travel company located in Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Izmir. He provides all kind of tours and travel services, hotel accommodations and arranges tailor-made itineraries for private groups and individuals. He is a licensed tour guide (issued by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism) and has been guiding for 15 years all over Turkey. Most of his clientele are from the US. Many of them are alumni of colleges and museum groups. Yusuf studied English Language and Literature and Classical History. In winters, He travels abroad or joins archeological excavations in Turkey. His summers are spent as a guide to groups visiting Turkey. He specializes in guiding and arranging Blue Voyage (Gullet) tours, Cultural Tours, Biblical Tours and Archeological Tours in Turkey. Though based in Kusdasi where most people go to visit the spectacular ruins at Ephesus, he can take you to Marmaris, Bodrum, Izmir, Istanbul, Anatolia and all over Turkey if you like.

Guides

Ilker A

I offer PRIVATE TOURS OF TURKEY, Istanbul, Cappadocia AND EPHESUS TOURS to group or individual CRUISERS / TRAVELERS who would like to visit historical / modern, biblical and spiritual perspectives of Turkey with PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR SHORE EXCURSIONS guide from KUSADASI, Bodrum, Cesme, Marmaris and IZMIR PORTS, airports or hotels. I have been ready to guide you privately and locally since 1998. I studied English language teaching, history, traditions, religions ( Christian and Jewish Heritage in Turkey, particularly in Ephesus and Izmir area and Istanbul) and photography. I have always been studying to learn and have been researching the most recent archaeological studies/excavations as much as possible in order to keep myself and my guests updated.

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קראו עוד בלוגים וספרים אלקטרוניים READ MORE BLOGS AND EBOOKS

World Jewish Travel Official July 31, 2022

The Jewish Story of Izmir, Turkey

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Hotels in Izmir

Pastor Historical

Pastor Historical Apart Hotel The Gulf Of Izmir is located in the historical district of Izmir, Karatas. Levantines lived in this region during the Ottoman period. The name Pastor was given after the renovation of the historical building, which is known as the Pastor's Mansion among the people, as an accommodation facility. There are 10 rooms in the facility. Each room has air conditioning and 24 hours hot water, LCD TV with Digiturk broadcast. Some rooms have a view of the Gulf of Izmir and have a bay window. Downstairs is the Lobby and breakfast room. It is located by the sea.

Hotel 86

Hotel 86 By Katipoglu, which serves as the newest and modern facility of Agean pearl Izmir, will transform your stay in İzmir into an unforgettable experience with its specially designed architecture. Hotel 86 by Katipoglu brings together your business life and comfort. Our hotel is located in İzmir city center and is walking distance to the sea. İzmir Adnan Menderes airport is 16 km away. You will feel yourself inside history with the history of İzmir. Hotel 86 By Katipoglu located at next to important places such as historical Kemeraltı Market, Kızlarağası Khan, Kavaflar Bazaar, Agora, Konak Clock Tower, Konak Pier and International İzmir Fair. We are at your service to make you feel at home comfort with our professional staff. You will feel privileged in our rooms, which are prepared for the comfort of our guests. Hotel 86 By Katipoglu is designed to meet the needs of our valued guests with its breakfast room, group meals and Alacart restaurant, business corner, 24 hour room service laundry and ironing services and 40 standard rooms.