My journey into Jewish community life has taken me across different countries and opened my eyes to countless perspectives. For the past 20 years, I've been involved with Jewish initiatives worldwide, particularly focusing on youth programmes, social work with the elderly, and preserving cultural heritage.

Lately, I've turned my focus to Izmir, my hometown, and its shrinking and aging Jewish community. I've spent the last six years working closely with our community, trying to understand how we've changed and how we try to maintain our unique Sephardic heritage in today's world. Being actively involved in community life - from youth activities to supporting our elderly members - has given me deep insights into our challenges and strengths.

In 2021 and 2022, I helped lead the EU-funded Despertar Izmir project, which aimed to breathe new life into our Jewish heritage and community activities. The project brought different generations together and sparked new interest in our heritage. I've developed the website of our Jewish Community Centre (izmirjcc.org).

Through this blog, I'll share what I've learned, my personal thoughts, and ideas about what the future might hold for Jewish communities like ours in Izmir. I hope you'll join me as we explore these stories of tradition, identity and community.