Marjinal Travel

Highlights: Istanbul & Cappadocia & Konya & Pamukkale & Ephesus & Izmir & Istanbul Saison: All Years Destination(s): Turkey Duration: 7 Days & 6 Nights

The history of the Jews in Anatolia started many centuries before the migration of Sephardic Jews. Remnants of Jewish settlement from the 4th century B.C. have been uncovered in the Aegean region.
When the Ottomans captured Bursa in 1324 and made it their capital, they found a Jewish community oppressed under Byzantine rule. Sultan Orhan gave them permission to build the Etz ha-Hayyim (Tree of Life) synagogue which remained in service until 50 years ago.

Early in the 14th century, when the Ottomans had established their capital at Edirne, Jews from Europe (Hungary in 1376, France in 1394, Sicily in the early 15th century, Salonika in 1420) migrated there. In fact, from the early 15th century on, the Ottomans actively encouraged Jewish immigration.
When Mehmet II "the Conqueror" took Constantinople in 1453, he encountered an oppressed Romaniot (Byzantine) Jewish community which welcomed him with enthusiasm. By 1477, Jewish households in Istanbul numbered 1,647 or 11% of the total. Half a century later, 8,070 Jewish houses were listed in the city and four Turkish cities (Istanbul, Izmir, Safed and Salonika) became the centers of Sephardic Jewry.

The Life of Ottoman Jews
1. Most of the court physicians were Jews
2. One of the most significant innovations that Jews brought to the Ottoman Empire was the printing press.
3. Ottoman diplomacy was often carried out by Jews.
4. Jewish women exercised considerable influence in the Court.
5. In the free air of the Ottoman Empire, Jewish literature flourished.

Under Ottoman tradition, each non-Moslem religious community was responsible for its own institutions, including schools. in 1864, the Takkanot haKehilla (By-laws of the Jewish Community) was published, defining the structure of the Jewish community.
An important event in the life of Ottoman Jews in the 17th century was the schism led by Shabetai Zvi, the pseudo Messiah who lived in Izmir and later adopted Islam with his followers.

Equality and a New Republic Efforts at reform of the Ottoman Empire led to the proclamation of the Hatti Humayun in 1856, which made all Ottoman citizens, Moslem and non-Moslem alike, equal under the law. As a result, leadership of the community began to shift away from the religious figure to secular forces.
Recognized in 1923 by the Treaty of Lausanne as a fully independent state within its present-day borders, Turkey accorded minority rights to the three principal non-Moslem religious minorities and permitted them to carry on with their own schools, social institutions and funds. In 1926, on the eve of Turkey's adoption of the Swiss Civil Code, the Jewish Community renounced its minority status on personal rights.
During the tragic days of World War II, Turkey managed to maintain its neutrality and Ataturk invited numbers of prominent German Jewish professors to flee Nazi Germany and settle in Turkey. Before and during the war years, these scholars contributed a great deal to the development of the Turkish university system.
During World War II, Turkey served as a safe passage for many Jews fleeing the horrors of the Nazism. and the Turkish Jews remained secure. Several Turkish diplomats spent all their efforts to save from the Holocaust the Turkish Jews in those countries, and succeeded. Today, Turkey continues to be a shelter, a heaven for all those who have to flee dogmatism, intolerance and persecution.

Turkish Jews Today
The present size of Jewish Community is estimated at around 20,000, out of a total population of 70 million. The vast majority, about 18,000, live in Istanbul.
Turkish Jews are legally represented, as they have been for many centuries, by the Hahambasi, the Chief Rabbi, assisted by a religious Council made up of a Rosh Bet Din and three Hahamim. Thirty-five Lay Counselors look after the secular affairs of the Community and an Executive Committee of fourteen, the president of which must be elected from among the Lay Counselors, runs the daily affairs.
Synagogues are classified as religious foundations (Vakifs). There are 23 active synagogues in Turkey, 16 of which are in Istanbul . Three are in service in holiday resorts, during summer only. Some of them are very old, especially Ahrida Synagogue in the Balat area, which dates from middle15th century. The 15th and 16th century Haskoy and Kuzguncuk cemeteries in Istanbul are still in use today.
The Jewish Community is a very small group in Turkey today, considering that the total population which is 99% Moslem exceeds 57 million. But in spite of their number the Jews have distinguished themselves. There are several Jewish professors teaching at the universities of Istanbul and Ankara, and many Turkish Jews are prominent in business, industry and the liberal professions

Day 1 — Arrival at Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. The Jewish Community in Turkey is about 26 thousand and most of them live in Istanbul today. The majority is made up of Sephardic, but there are also some Ashkenazi and Karaite communities as well. Dinner at guests' expense.

Day 2 — Istanbul / Jewish districts

In 1492 Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition arrived at Istanbul and welcomed by the Ottomans. Many of them settled in Galata neighborhood where you'll visit Galata Tower built by Genoese in the 14th century, offering a great bird-eye view of the old city. From the Tower walk to Neve Shalom Synagogue and then visit the Jewish Museum of Turkey, known also as Zulfaris Synagogue, run by Quincentennial Foundation where you'll see the story of 700 years of amity between Turks and Jews. After lunch, drive to Balat district along the Golden Horn, another old Jewish district where you'll visit the Ahrida Synagogue built over 500 years ago and still in use today. After wondering in this old neighborhood where the Star of David appears on some of the buildings, return back to your hotel. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense.

Day 3 — Istanbul / Highlights

Depart from your hotel after breakfast. Visit ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where once chariots ran and thousands of Byzantines cheered them. Some of the important monuments of the Hippodrome are; Egyptian Obelisk dating back to 16th century B.C., Serpentine Column from 5th century B.C., and the Stone Obelisk erected in 10th century A.D. Than you visit the Blue Mosque built in the 17th century, famous for its six minarets and beautiful Iznik tiles as interior decoration. It's still in use by the Moslems and is the most important mosque in Istanbul. After the mosque have a short walk to visit Hagia Sophia Church, glory of the Byzantine Empire, built in the 6th century which houses magnificent gold-leafed mosaics. The Church was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century and than into a museum after the Republic. After lunch you'll visit Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans located on a hilltop dominating the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Today it's a museum where precious displays such as Porcelains, Crystals, Sultan's costumes, Books, Portraits, and Diamonds can be visited. At the end you'll pay a visit to world famous Grand Bazaar for your shopping of traditional goods. Transfer back to your hotel at the end of the day. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense.

Day 4 — Istanbul / Bosphorus - Izmir

Breakfast and check out from your hotel in the morning. Visit the Egyptian Bazaar known as Spice Market to smell and buy hundreds of lively colored spices; you can also explore small street markets around it. Then take a ferry to start your cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, while sailing along the European and Asian shores enjoy viewing Ottoman Palaces, Fortresses, Ottoman wooden houses, Suspension bridges, and fishermen. After this lovely cruise, possibility of lunch in a restaurant along the Bosphorus. After lunch, take the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge and set your foot on Asian Continent with a pleasant panoramic drive viewing residential areas of the city. Visit also Beylerbeyi Palace on this side, which was the summer residence of the last Ottoman Sultans for many years until the Republic. Today it's used as a museum housing original furniture, curtains and carpets showing luxurious life of the ancient rulers. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir, known in ancient times as Smyrna. On your arrival, you're escorted to your hotel in the city. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense.

Day 5 — Izmir / Ephesus

After breakfast, drive to Selcuk for the Ephesus which was the capital of the Roman Province of Asia Minor. At the ancient site you'll visit the Odeon, the Bouleterion, the fountains, the temples, the brothel, the library, the agoras, the great theater, the roman baths, the marble road, the gymnasiums and so on. After lunch visit the Archeological Museum filled with a rich collection from the site and around. Than you'll visit the grounds of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. A short drive back to Izmir at the end of the day. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense.

Day 6 — Izmir / Sardis

The city of Izmir has a 400 year old Jewish community with many synagogues. Today you'll visit the most important synagogue of the city; the Beth Israel. In the afternoon drive to Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia, where you'll see the significant ruins of the ancient city such as the Temple of Artemis, the golden river Pactalos, the Persian Royal Road, the Gymnasium and so on. You will visit the remains of one of the world's oldest synagogue's, the Sardis Synagogue, first built in the 3rd century BC. After visits, drive back to Izmir. Lunch and Dinner at guests' expense.

Day 7 — Departure from Izmir

Transfer to the airport after breakfast in hotel for your return trip home.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is run only on private basis from Istanbul or Izmir in English. Arrival at Istanbul can be arranged for any day of the week. Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace on Tuesdays, Grand Bazaar on Sundays & Turkish public and religious holidays, Beylerbeyi Palace on Mondays & Thursdays, Jewish museum and Synagogues on Saturdays and during Jewish holidays. On these specific days they'll be substituted with other museums/sites depending on the convenience of the program and schedule. Order of the visits may be changed for the convenience of the tour. Depending on seasonal occupancies, Izmir stay may be swapped to Kusadasi.