On the occasion of the opening speech, Avram Sevinti, the President of Jewish Community Foundation of Izmir, said: “I think that the project has been successful. We achieved our goals of making the voice of Izmir’s Jewish community heard and protecting the Jewish cultural heritage. I would like to thank the EU for supporting the project and for trusting in us.”

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Avram Sevinti, the President of Jewish Community Foundation of Izmir

Sedef Özer, the Secretary General of Our City Izmir Association, emphasised the importance of protecting cultural heritage in Izmir and stated: “Izmir hosts a great treasure, and Jewish cultural heritage is a very important part of it. With the project, dozens of activities were carried out to protect and preserve this unique heritage. The project contributed to the preservation of our city’s unique identity while strengthening social cohesion. It also supported the local economy by contributing to tourism.”

Cultural heritage is not only about the past

Reminding that the pastry of “boyoz”, which is identified with Izmir, is the heritage of Sephardic Jews of Izmir, the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Tunç Soyer, reflected: “Numerous values that are parts of our daily life in Izmir continue to live on as a projection of our city’s multicultural identity. We attach great importance to all activities carried out to protect and develop these values and to pass them on to future generations. I believe that it is my primary duty as the Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to ensure justice between generations by protecting this city’s culture, history, natural heritage and values. I am among you today with this belief. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this work carried out to preserve the cultural heritage of Izmir Jews.”

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Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut and Mayor Tunç Soyer

The Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, who opened the project back in 2021, underlined the EU’s commitment to championing cultural diversity and said: “The Jewish cultural heritage is more than a mark of Jewish community and identity. It’s a catalyst of social cohesion and intercultural dialogue. Cultural heritage is not only about the past. It’s about the collective memory and guides the projecting for the future. The Jewish cultural heritage in Izmir acts as a bridge, bringing communities and generations together, telling stories of common values and peaceful coexistence. Today, we celebrate not just the successful project story but also an embodiment of how a local organisation is supported by local authorities and the EU towards collective reason. I extend my heartfelt congratulations for your valuable contributions to Izmir’s cultural landscape and urban development.”

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Ambassador Meyer-Landrut underlined the EU’s commitment to championing cultural diversity

One of the rare places in the world

The Juderia (Jewish Quarter) in Kemeraltı, the heart of the historic city centre, is home to nine surviving synagogues, a rabbinate and many “kortijo”s  (“kortijo” is a special architectural style of habitation used by Sephardic Jews). Kemeraltı is one of the rare places in the world in terms of the number of adjacent synagogues, where Jewish culture grew to have a worldwide influence.

Project Coordinator Nesim Bencoya pointed out the restoration projects of the synagogues in the Jewish Quarter as a background to the project: “Until 2020, we had prioritised the rescue and protection of demolished or semi-demolished historical cultural assets, including synagogues, the cornerstones of Izmir’s old Jewish Quarter. In parallel with these studies, we have carried out studies on the sustainability of cultural heritage since 2020 with the EU-funded project.”

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Ambassador Meyer-Landrut visited the synagogues in Kemeraltı

What was achieved during the project?

Within the scope of the project focusing on Kemeraltı, simple repair works were carried out in the Signora Synagogue. Restoration projects were prepared for the Hevra and Forasteros synagogues, both founded in the 1600s. These two synagogues are unique in the world as they are part of a complex of four buildings almost sharing each other’s outer walls. In 2023, the project team obtained approval from relevant authorities to carry on the restauration work. Another achievement of the project is the Joint Manifesto, which reflects the team’s commitment to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the rich Jewish Heritage in Izmir.

The project focused on both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, which is of great importance for the Jewish community. The books “Izmir Jewish Press” and “Women in Izmir Jewish Community” by Dr Siren Bora, “Izmir Jews in the Trace of Memories” by Raşel Rakella Asal and Sarit Asal Bonfit, and “Ritual Textiles of Izmir Synagogues” by Christina Meri were published. Workshops were held. Short films were shot, and digital archive work was initiated.

The Jewish presence in Izmir

The Jewish presence in Izmir dates back to Hellenistic and Roman times. The traces of Jewish culture in Izmir's culture grew stronger after the Sephardic Jews came from Spain and Portugal to Ottoman lands about 550 years ago and settled in Istanbul, Edirne, Thessaloniki and Izmir.

Click to watch the “Perspectives” short film.

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