‘Strong and Blessed’
The history of the Jewish Community of AthensBeing a Jew in Athens
Three years ago, I visited the Synagogue of Athens for first time. It was a spring afternoon and I was going to attend the service for the Jewish Passover (Pessach). Outside the Synagogue at Melidoni Street in Thiseio, the world was mixed. Cars were coming in and out of the narrow alley separating the Athens Synagogue and the offices of the Community. I sat on a terrace outside the synagogue and patiently waited for the service of 19.00 to begin. As I was waiting, I noticed many elderly people, a few young people and even fewer children.
Everyone seemed to know each other. Maybe I was the only one who did not belong to the community. But this did not mean that I was not welcome. The lady next to me with her deep red hair asked me: “Are you a Jew?” ‘No’ I replied. ‘I am a Christian. I just wanted to attend the service as my studies are related to Judaism’. Oh, what a weird thing! And how did you come? We may sit together if you want, so I can explain you what Rabbi says, since everything is in Hebrew. “ She held an illustrated book on Passover. The doors of the Synagogue were opened and we went up to the women’s section . Mrs. Rosa stood beside me and did not leave until the end of the service.
The History of the Jewish Community of Athens
I am sitting on the same table with Taly Mair, Director of the Jewish Community of Athens, and Iakovos Atoun, Jewish Programs Coordinator. I have my notebook and my pencils, in front of me, and I’m ready to fill the lines with information, dates, numbers.
“It is strange but the Jewish population of Athens was smaller before the Second World War. On the eve of World War II, the Jews of Athens amounted to about 3,000. At the same time, the number of Jews in Thessaloniki was over 50,000.’
According to the official data from the Community:
In the census of 1928, the Jews of Athens numbered 1,578, the vast majority of them Romaniotes. The first Synagogue of Athens, Etz Hayyim(that means, Tree of Life), was built in 1904 at Melidoni Street in Thiseio. The most affluent Jews were merchants, while the rest were mostly street vendors, old-fashioners and small-scale mages. Most of them lived in the center of Athens, Plaka, Kolonaki, Mets, many others used to live in Patission, Kypseli, Pagrati, and very few in the suburbs. In 1935 the new Beth Shalom Synagogue was erected on Melidoni Street, which is still in operation. In 1943 many Jews of Thessaloniki and other cities flocked to Athens. It is estimated that the population reached 4–5,000. The total Jewish population in Athens at that time touched — and even surpassed — the 8,000 souls. “
In Athens, a large part of the Jewish population survived due to various factors such as the large size of the capital city and the less close relations between the residents, the spoken language that was Greek and not ladino (Jewish — Spanish dialect or djudeo — espagnol) as in Thessaloniki, but also the intense mobilization of partisans, authorities and the Church. The action of the City Police Chief, Angelos Evert, who saved several Jewish families by issuing fake Christian Orthodox identities, and the decisive attitude of Rabbi Elias Barzilai, has now become widely known. In the Oral History Archive of the Jewish Museum of Athens, somebody ,may listen to several personal stories of Greek Jews who were rescued when they were children, either because they were hidden in Christian families or because they were supplied with Christian Orthodox identities.
“After the War, the Community of Athens grew instead of falling. Unlike the rest of the Jewish communities in Greece that either were shrunk or were disappeared.’ Taly told me.
“Today the population reaches 3,000 Jews in Athens. Several have abandoned Greece in recent years because of the economic crisis and settled abroad so as to create better living conditions for their present and future.’ Taly continued.
Milestone
1960
An important point for the Jewish community of Athens is the foundation of the Jewish Community School in 1960, 15 years after the rebuilding of a diverse and multifaceted community. The school was built on an area of 3 acres in Psychiko with the aim of hosting 300 children. ‘This was an important milestone because we have always attached tremendous importance to the role of education.’
2004
Another important milestone is the recognition by the Greek State of the World Holocaust Day, which took place on January 27, 2004. January 27 is the anniversary of the release of the Auschwitz concentration camp. In recent years, the Ministry of Education has issued an annual circular which recommends schools of all levels to devote two teaching hours to teach the Holocaust. At the same time, a student competition for films for the Holocaust is run each year, while the Jewish Museum organizes a special cycle of teacher seminars aiming at a holistic approach to Holocaust in order to avoid a possible same tragedy in the future.
2010
This monument is dedicated to the memory of the thousands of Greek Jews , men and women, who found tragic death in concentration camps. The Jewish Community of Athens donates it to the city of Athens to host it forever, to remind eternally of the horrors that can cause people to other people because of their diversity.
So that this will never happen again
Benjamin Albala
President of the Jewish Community of Athens
May 2010
In 2010, the Holocaust Memorial was set up in Thiseio, a few meters beyond the Synagogue and the offices of the Community, at the junction of Melidoni, Ermou and Evvoulou streets.
“We have been the last capital of Europe to have acquired the Holocaust Memorial.” Taly points out with surprise.
The Holocaust Memorial of Greek Jews in Athens became a reality by the Community, with the gracious sponsorship of Despina Alarazaki in memory of his husbande, Dr Jacques Alazrakis. The Community donated it to the Athens Municipality which is now responsible for its care. There have been a few times where the monument has been vandalized mainly by far-right and neo-Nazi groups.
2016
‘Whoever saves a life saves the world’
Talmud
Outside the Synagogue, there is a huge black book full of names. The Monument of the Righteous among the Nations.
“So far, the Book records 328 names of Christians or of Christian families who saved their Jewish friends or even Jews,often totally unknown to them.” Taly explains.
Recently, the story of Konstantinos Giannitsis, father of ex — Minister Tassos Giannitsis, has become known. Konstantinos Giannitsis concealed in his home the family of his fellow student Asher Moses with the silent support of his whole family.
A few months ago, at the 2nd Middle School of Elefsina, the two children of Father George Dararas, Konstantina and George, received the Award of the Righteous among the Nations, for the heroic act of their father. Father Georgios Dararas hid Victor Levi and his son Sam, in his house in the village of Alekina Trikala.
The debate over the Holocaust has been widened in recent years. The society is learning more and more about what has happened in Greece. The Ministry of Education displays a significant contribution. Even the fact that several Awards ceremonies of the Righteous among the Nations take place in schools opens the way for raising awareness. “Children are now getting in contact with this path of history.” Iakovos and Taly proudly told me.
Some months ago, a 15-year-old girl was surprised to hear what happened in the Holocaust for first time. The student said, “I can not believe that this can be done from a person to another.” Taly said.
Nowadays, society is more positively adjacent to the Jewish community. Of course we have also become more extrovert.
Our Community wishes to be open to society. In this context of extroversion, we have been implementing, for a number of years, activities aimed at opening up to society. An example is the Open Sabbath where we invite people to come and watch Sabbath. Rabbi, in particular, recites prayers in Greek that day, so that everyone can participate. Also, in the last three years we have been doing the Open Hannukah, which is one of the most important Jewish religious feasts. The interest was enormous and even there was a year when the attendance reached 600 people.
‘Schools constitute also a big chapter. We now receive visits from several public and private Greek schools as part of their religion course. About 25 schools visit us per year. Recently, we also participated in the Beit Project. Of course, a large number of students and cultural associations also visits us. ‘Through the education you provide, you can reduce the phenomena of anti-Semitism and, in general, fight against the pain that bias can pose to diversity.’
Who is the Athenian Jew?
‘I am asking you in a different way. What is the profile of the average Christian?’ Taly looks at me and smiles.
“There are some people who have no financial problem and others who need the support of the community for their survival. The stereotype of the rich Jew certainly does not exist.’
‘60% of the registered members of the community have a close relationship with the community and is involved in many of its activities. There is, of course, a 40% which for many reasons remains inactive, but that does not mean that it is breaking the ties with the community. We constantly investigate the reasons for this and we try to find solutions.’
Most children in the Community choose to attend the Lauder School of the Jewish Community of Athens.
‘The school has only Kindergarten and Primary School. Student attendance in the secondary education continues in other schools. We are a school with all the modern innovative learning tools. We follow the official curriculum of the Ministry of Education and our students are taught also English and French. In addition, the lesson of Jewish language and Jewish traditions is implemented. The school is an extrovert school. It participates in European e-twinning programs, in partnerships with other schools and in exchanges with schools from Israel.’
Over the last year and in partnership with the American Pierce College, the Community is implementing a pilot education program for the children of the Jewish community. These are optional afternoon lessons aimed at familiarizing further the students with Jewish culture and language. Often students visit other Jewish communities such as the community of Halkida.
Relations between the Jewish communities of Greece are close.
‘Most of us are close due to our common experiences from the Jewish summer camp. The camp is supported by the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki, but children of all ages come from all the communities of Greece. So we have friends in all parts of our country.’
‘Every time there is an action in a Jewish community all over Greece, we are always there. Usually, we send a representative. We are also represented in events that take place in regions where there is no longer a Jewish community such as Veroia or Arta.’
Places like Veroia or Arta had an important Jewish population before the Second World War. In recent years there have been initiatives, primarily of non-Jews, with the aim of reviving local memory through Memory Marches or related events. Indeed, since 2018, efforts have been made in Veria for the placement of Stolperstein, stubmling stones in parts of the city.
Actions may have opened up the dialogue but have not still managed to prevent anti-Semitic actions. In 2017, the Heinrich Böll Foundation conducted a survey of anti-Semitism levels in Greece. The survey examines the relationship of politics with anti-Semitism, the level of education in relation to anti-Semitism and the treatment of Church towards Jewish communities. Additionally, in December 2018, the Incident Report on Religious Sites in Greece for the year 2017 was published by the Ministry of Education. Out of the 537 incidents, 11 targeted Jewish places of worship and which are characterized as racist / anti-Semitic.
“The Holocaust Memorial is often desecrated. Every time, the Municipality cleans it, but we have some such incidents and we have to be alert.’
‘The attacks we accept are mainly verbal. Maybe you remember the banners outside the National Parliament building during the Marches for the Prespa Agreement.’ Iakovos added.
Of course what was most shocking was the attack on the Jewish cemetery in May 2018. The Jewish cemetery is located in the 3rd Cemetery of Nikaia. The Jewish sector of the Third Cemetery was vandalized by strangers. They broke burial slabs and degraded people’s memory in an extreme anti-Semitic action.
The Jewish Community of Athens showed its reaction in a more unexpected way. They condemned the act by making a silent chain-length protest a few days later and holding banners with just one word written , the word ΓΙΑΤΙ, which means WHY. Next to the Jewish Community there was a crowd of politicians, officials, embassies and consulates, but mostly ordinary citizens. “ How can dead people hurt you? “ we all asked ourselves.
Social Activities
The Community has strong social action, both within its members and within a wider context. Especially the school collects food for other schools, makes annual baazar and donates funds or collects lids for wheelchairs purchase. ‘For example, on the Holocaust Remembrance Day, we collected 200 books that we donated to the library of the 2nd Middle School of Elefsina. While the refugee crisis was raging, we held events in order to help this collective effort, but we also raised money twice so that we help as actively as possible. When something shakes our society, we always try to be there. In the fires at Mati we immediately went to offer what was needed. Later, we donated equipment to the Fire Brigade based on what they suggested us.’
The Rabbi
‘We will go to the Rabbi’s office so he will talk to you.’
In 2015, Rabbi of Athens Gabriel Negrin succeeded Rabbi Isaac Mizan who had been serving the Jewish Community of Athens since 1971.
Taly told me “We are very lucky to have him.” Before we started talking, we looked at photos from the preparation of the girls of the community for Bat Mitzvah (religious adulthood).
‘The Jewish Community of Athens is a ‘new’ community. It was founded in 1890 as an Israeli brotherhood of Athens and in 1912–13 it became a Jewish community. There is evidence of a Jewish presence here from the Ancient Period and of course during the Roman Period. There is an absence of Jewishness in the Byzantine and Ottoman times, and with the coming of King Othon the presence of the Jewish element is intensified. However, the small Jewish population also means small religious needs. For this reason, the service of religious needs was also made in smaller places. One such example is the house of Yusurum on Karaiskakis Street, where religious duties were held. In 1903–1904 the Greek Jews began to comply with social changes and this had an impact on the architecture of the Synagogue. It is essential to mention that the synagogue also functioned as a place of concentration and care beyond a place of prayer and worship. For example, in the synagogue, Jews from the island of Zakynthos, were hosted after the devastating earthquake. In 1972, the Beth Salom Synagogue was renovated and acquired a more modern and futuristic style.’
How do the different Jewish communities coexist in the synagogue?
‘After the Second World War the Athenian Jewish population was mixed. We had Romaniotes, Sephardi and a few Askenazi. The Romaniote tradition prevailed in some points, for example, in the fact that most of our cantors were Romaniotes, and even prayers were chanted with the Romaniote accent. In these past decades, the Community’s Rabbis have been Sephardi, while there have been brilliant cantors of the Ladino tradition such as Abraham Roussos’
Soon we started talking about his own influences and his own teachers. “My spiritual master was Rabbi I. Arar (rest in peace), but also the Chief Rabbi of Chalcis.” His office is full of pictures of rabbis that passed from the Community. Patiently and calmly, he briefly explains me the story and the footprint of each Rabbi to the Jewish community of Athens and to himself, as well. “A major chapter for me is Mr Nikos Stavroulakis. He instilled in me the love for Greek Judaism, for research and for the rescue of Jewish traditions. “
As my acquaintance with the Jewish culture started from a religious feast, I could not resist asking what happens during their feasts.
‘We operate fully in all religious feasts. The Community and the Synagogue have maintained its consistency and have vigorously avoided any schism. It is open to all Jews of any community or perception. We all pray together in the same and unique Synagogue of Athens. We also welcome the non-Jews and present them a religion which is close to Christianity, but sometimes unknown to them. We are a Greek community: in the history, prayer and behavior of the members.’
How is it to see the changes of an entire community and to lift the burden of a new life that comes to the world or a life that is lost ? How is it when someone holds your hands full of happiness and emotion? How is it when you feel a head full of sadness and despair touching your shoulder? How is it to see the children grow up and become religiously adults? How is it to represent the word Jew in a whole society?
What moves me is the trust of the people who accept me. They accept a pastor who works hard and devotes himself to the community. What matters to me is the human being. Each person separately. You know, at the end of every sermon, the wish is “Strong and blessed.” The power and patience that we need to cope with the difficulties of our lives. “
In the end of an interview I ask always the same question. “How do you imagine the future of the community?”
‘I suppose that the members of the community will be fewer but the community will be lively, active and even more extrovert. But I can tell you what I would prefer to see. I would like to see a community better trained in Hebrew education, more united and connected.’
We are ready to leave. He closes the door of his office and leaves me at both Synagogues to take some pictures. I ask a few questions to the supervisor and try to get the best pictures possible. Outside it is so hot and the spring must be here.
Epilogie: I did not want to make this article as yet another tribute to the Holocaust, to the pain, to the trauma, and to the memory of the past. It is not another story from the concentration camps. My goal was to bring into surface the presence of a community that sometimes flourishes and sometimes remains in the uncertainty. My aim was to look a little through their eyes and see how they have envisioned their future with the identity of the Greek Jew in their hands. I wanted to think about Jewish life now and tomorrow, I wanted to be able to enter a synagogue without the fear of the unknown that another religion may cause, I wanted to face the beauty that exists when we are not all same.
Many thanks for the support and the warm hospitality to the Jewish Community of Athens, Rabbi Gabriel Negrin, Taly Mair, Director of the Jewish Community of Athens and Iakovos Atoun, Jewish Programs Coordinator.
You can learn more about the Jewish Community of Athens in their website and social media. Do not forget to subscribe in their weekly newsletter, if you are a Greek speaker.
