Salonica

Why, according to Mazower, was the Ottoman Empire so hospitable to the Sephardic Jews fleeing Spain? What role did these Jews play in the struggle between the Ottomans and the Hapsburg Empire (also known as the Holy Roman Empire)?

The Jews were welcomed because they were skilled workers and had a lot to offer to the Ottoman communities. They were not a threat because the Balkans were still overwhelmingly Christian as the Asian and Arab areas were Muslim. The Jews were not in great numbers, plus they helped to “revitalize urban life after many decades of war” in the Ottoman Empire. The Jews played a large role in the struggle between the Ottomans and the Holy Roman Empire because of the way the Roman Empire treated them. As anti-Semitism rose among the Roman Empire, the Ottoman’s used it against them, proving their hatred as they accepted Jews into their society with open arms.

How did Salonica grow into a majority Jewish city?

Istanbul’s population had been growing at an incredible rate due to a large immigration of Muslims, Greeks, and Armenians, leaving Salonica for the Jews to prosper in.

What kind of Jewish culture did the Sephardim create there?

The Jewish culture in Salonica was very similar to that of their culture in Spain. They brought their Spanish cuisine as well as language along with them. Even after being expelled from the Spanish empire they were very proud of their recently lost roots and practiced them well.

What role did the Jews of Salonica play in the Ottoman economy? What kind of occupations and trades did they enter?

The Jews began to produce Military uniforms for the Ottomans. After the success of this venture, the Jews began producing all sorts of clothes and cloth and became one of the largest and most successful exporters of clothing. Wealthy Jewish merchants bought local supplies of wool and other materials in order to supply poorer Jews with jobs and supplies. Jews also became miners and Salonica became one of the largest silver producers in the empire. However, the Jews worked mostly as miners and workers, leaving poor banking capabilities for the wealthy which was not good business for the banks as it included only Jews and left out the rest of the economy.

What social and religious conflicts arose between the Sephardic newcomers and members of the older Jewish communities – the Romaniotes and the Ashkenazim?

The members of the older Jewish communities did not approve of the Spanish culture that was prominent among the Sephardic newcomers. They spoke differently, practiced differently, and did business differently. They Jews clearly knew they had to get along with each other as the Sephardics were not leaving. The high Rabbis stressed that the Ottoman Jewish community should welcome the Sephardics and follow their example as prosperous, community oriented Jews.

How did the Jewish community in Salonica organize itself? (or was it organized?)

The Jewish community was rather quiet. Although there were 25 synagogues built in less than 20 years, they were kept hidden and the Jews were all reminded to stay quiet and low-key during prayer. They lived in the same area, in small, modest homes. They made sure that they didn’t take away from the glamour of the native Ottoman’s, even though their presence was great.

What role was played by the rabbis in the Salonica Jewish community?

Mehmed the Conqueror appointed a chief rabbi who was responsible for collecting taxes, administering justice, and ecclesiastical affairs. It was custom among the Ottomans to have a leader of every group in the empire. For the Jews, the hierarchy was the rabbis. It was their job to be the community leaders as well as the religious leaders.