Leyla Aglamaz grew up in Ankara, Turkey, and migrated to Israel in 1971. Her childhood memories recall a community that, thanks to the modernization of Turkey, was slowly losing its character, from the language they spoke─Turkish instead of Ladino─to their observance of tradition: “As in all Jewish communities, we revered the holidays with great regard. Pessah and Rosh Hashanah was celebrated two nights. As time passed, I witness stores not closing up on even the first day of the holidays.”
Samanpazari Synagogue is only open for weddings and holidays, Ankara, Turkey (Photo courtesy of Jewish Journal)
Hesed Le Avraam Synagogue, Buyukada, Turkey (Photo courtesy of The Forward)
Buyukada is a Turkish island oasis that features “festive horse-drawn carriages, bikes and an occasional electric cart.” Istanbul’s Jews would go to Buyukada to escape the summer heat, but with the Turkish air polluted by anti-Semitism, the number of Jews in Buyukada is dwindling: “When I was a child, there were 200 kids on a Friday night [at Shabbat services]. Now, maybe 70 to 80 or less.”
A traditional Ladino song about a father’s love for his daughter. Our version of “İja Mia Mi Kerida” (“Daughter of Mine, My Dear”) is performed by Janet and Jak Esim, Turkish-Sephardi musicians.
A new documentary, “Las Ultimas Palavras – The Last words,” traces the demise of Ladino as a spoken language in Turkey. According to the film’s director, Rita Bender: “The documentary features people who are of my generation, people between the ages of 25 to 35, and we cannot even form a sentence.”
January 13th, 17th, 19th, and 21st
at the Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street, New York, NY
Back by popular demand, the American Sephardi Federation invites you to David Serero’s Merchant of Venice. Playing sold-out shows in the summer, the French-Moroccan baritone opera singer once again directs and stars (as Shylock) in his Sephardi adaptation of Shakespeare’s play about love, commerce, and bigotry. Featuring a diverse cast and Sephardi music, there will be a preview matinee on January 13th, ahead of opening night on January 17th.
Come visit ASF’s Leon Levy Gallery at The Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th Street) to view our new exhibition: “Baghdadis & The Bene Israel in Bollywood & Beyond: Indian Jews in the Movies”
on display now through March 2016
Click here for viewing hours and additional information
The American Sephardi Federation invites you to experience
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The American Sephardi Federation's Sephardi House is located at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th St., New York, New York, 10011).