Academic Research Topic: The Jewish Community of Izmir
(03 December 2024)
Long-term Plans on the Jewish Community of Izmir
I came to Sweden to initiate academic work on today’s small, diminishing Jewish communities. Originally, my plan for this year was to enrol in a one-year Jewish Studies programme at the University of Amsterdam and then proceed to doctoral studies in this field somewhere in Europe, whether Amsterdam or elsewhere. I even registered at the university.
However, in July, when I visited Stockholm for 10 days for another Paideia programme, I was informed that I could receive a scholarship and accommodation support for the nine-month programme. This prompted me to change my path for the year. Since Amsterdam had offered no financial support or scholarships, I opted for Sweden instead.
Before arriving in Sweden, I held an online meeting with Bart Wallet, an academic I had previously met at the University of Amsterdam. I expressed my desire to pursue doctoral research on the Jewish community of Izmir. He was quite supportive. Following our conversation and subsequent correspondence, I shaped an important roadmap for my doctoral research.
I learned that the best approach would be to draft my research proposal and then reach out to relevant academics across Europe, applying to various universities in collaboration with them. A few European universities that I contacted allow doctoral research to be conducted remotely without residing in the city itself. However, no scholarships are provided for such remote study arrangements. Thus, I currently have different options in terms of funding and continuity. For now, it is crucial for me to clarify my research framework and personal motivations, shaping a roadmap that will best utilise my areas of interest and knowledge.
Aside from short visits, conferences, or temporary research stays, I do not plan to pursue my academic work outside Continental Europe. I also hope to answer the question, "Which European country and city will I be in after this academic year at Paideia?" in the first half of 2025.
My Research Interests
My research interests focus on exploring the societal functions of institutional structures within religious and ethnic minorities, and how these structures address community issues, with the aim of contributing to the sustainability of these communities. Within the field of Jewish Studies, examining the impact of institutional dynamics on the individual-community relationship in European Jewish communities could help us understand the presence and challenges faced by these societies today.
In my doctoral studies, I’ll be concentrating on the transformations within the Jewish Community of Izmir during the republican era, with a particular focus on changes over the last 30 years. I am analysing how the community's institutions related to education, social welfare, religious ceremonies, and other social structures have evolved, as well as how these changes have affected individuals and the community as a whole. Demographic shifts, such as the shrinking and ageing of the community and intergenerational communication issues, are also among the focal points of my research. This work aims to help us understand the current state of the Jewish Community of Izmir and draw conclusions about its future.
I am also examining how different generations perceive the concept of community and how Judaism is interpreted in contemporary contexts. These topics are significant for understanding the effects of changing intergenerational connections on the community. For me, understanding the complex structure of Jewish communities and their adaptation to a changing world is of great importance:
How do different generations perceive the idea of community? How is Judaism interpreted in today’s world, and what transformations have occurred in this process?
One of my key focuses is the transformation of Jewish and Sephardic identities in shrinking communities, considering them as religion, culture, and communal belonging over time. The transmission of cultural heritage, needs, mutual expectations, and intra- and extra-community collaborations are addressed in a multilayered way. I also investigate what factors drive this transformation and how it relates to social changes. The adaptation of Jewish institutions to changing community needs is a significant topic of research for me.
How is cultural heritage preserved and passed on to future generations in dwindling communities? How does the shrinking of these communities impact this process?
The role of institutions in sustaining Jewish and Sephardic identity, and how community dynamics are shaped, particularly interests me. This topic can be explored with concrete examples, focusing on the current role of institutions, how they maintain community cohesion, and how they preserve cultural continuity. The challenges faced and the successes achieved offer important insights into the future of community structures.
How do institutions play a role in maintaining Jewish and Sephardic identity? What challenges are faced in this process, and how are these challenges overcome?
Although not all of these areas will be the core focus of my doctoral research, I intend to explore some through independent studies or comparative articles co-written with other researchers. Currently, I am reviewing similar works done in these areas. As time goes on, I plan to expand upon these subjects by adding more detailed posts on my site, including research frameworks, theories, and references.
Other Projects
1) Despertar Conversations
The ‘Despertar Conversations’, which I started in May, were born out of my desire to get to know Turkish researchers working on Turkish Jews. This series is entirely a product of personal curiosity. It is not part of any project, grant programme, or institutional support. I launched the series out of my wish to get to know, introduce, and interact with people working in this field. These conversations not only provide me with knowledge but also create opportunities to forge new friendships and collaborative ventures.
In the first 16 episodes, I hosted Rıfat Bali, Dr. Siren Bora, Dr. Merve Şule Çaycı, Rachel Amado Bortnick, Nisya İşman Allovi, Dr. Emre Kurt, Defne Özözer, Dr. Özgür Kaymak, Dr. Duygu Atlas, Dr. Rivka Bihar Waldman, Muzaffer Erol, Dr. Işıl Demirel, Belin Benezra Yensarfati, Dr. Süleyman Şanlı, Verda Habif, and Dr. Süheyla Yıldız. The conversations can be accessed via izmirjcc.org/soylesiler and youtube.com/@despertaredu. I am planning to add 5-6 new conversations to the series in the coming months.
I also wish to create a similar series of 20-25 minute conversations with foreign researchers working on related topics, but I haven’t yet put this idea into action.
2) A Book on Today’s Jewish Communities in Turkish
This season, I aim to write a comprehensive sourcebook titled "Judaism Today", which highlights diversity and differences. The book will serve as an accessible resource for university students, researchers, and anyone interested in the topic in Turkey. This work, one of the most significant projects of the academic year, aims to guide those who wish to understand the diversity of Judaism in the modern era and the differences between communities.
I will consolidate the topics I have worked on over the past few years and what I will learn throughout this academic year at Paideia, bringing them all together in this book as a tangible output. The book will not only explore today’s Jewish communities but also address fundamental questions such as, "What is Judaism, and what is it not?" This way, I hope to provide more in-depth information on contemporary Jewish practices and the diversity within these communities. Additionally, I plan to direct readers to foreign books, digital resources, websites, and YouTube channels, aiming to offer a broad spectrum of information.
Thus, the work I began as "Despertar Izmir" has transitioned into a new phase under the name "Despertar Edu." This stage aims to create a more academic, intellectual, and information-document focused study area. In doing so, I wish to lay the foundation for readers to develop different perspectives by understanding the diverse aspects of Judaism and its historical development.
I also intend to address the historical transformations of Judaism and how these processes have impacted today’s communities. This historical perspective is of great importance in understanding how the present-day identity and culture of Jewish communities have been shaped.
This book will not be limited to academic content; it will also be written in clear and comprehensible language, accessible to anyone interested in the subject. Topics like social diversity, cultural richness, and various religious practices will be covered from a broad perspective. Through this approach, I aspire to create a work that will inspire those who wish to learn more about Judaism and understand it better. Furthermore, by providing concrete examples of the cultural and religious life of Jewish communities, I hope to help readers internalise the topic.
I will soon share a draft and the questions I have in mind about this book in a separate blog post on my website.
3) EU-Funded Projects - Communities of Activists and Researches
Minority Rights Academy
In June 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in the face-to-face training programme of the Minority Rights Academy, organised by the Hrant Dink Foundation with EU funding. This programme aimed to raise awareness on minority rights and enhance the capacity of civil society representatives. It took place from 7-10 June in Istanbul. Together with participants from different provinces of Turkey, we listened to extensive presentations on minority rights, human rights law, and the status of minorities in international law. Alongside the training, we also visited 23.5, Hrant Dink’s Memory Space, where we had the chance to witness Hrant Dink’s life and struggle. This visit allowed us to gain a deeper perspective on Hrant Dink’s struggle and minority rights issues in Turkey. The conversations held during lunch and dinner provided a productive environment where participants shared their own experiences and learned from one another.
The Academy is now continuing with online meetings and will conclude towards the end of November. As of 2025, participants will be provided with grant support to implement their projects, thereby opening the way for new initiatives in minority rights in Turkey.
Minority Languages and Alternative Media Project
Last August, through an academic friend, I was introduced to a new project developed by the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI). One of the directors of ECMI was a speaker at the Minority Rights Academy training held in June. ECMI is one of the leading institutions aiming to create and implement a roadmap for protecting and empowering minorities in Europe. Established in 1996 by Denmark, Germany, and the Schleswig-Holstein government, ECMI continues its work at its historic headquarters in the city centre of Flensburg.
In August, we had the opportunity to meet with the ECMI team regarding the four-year PLURILINGMEDIA project, funded by the European Union, which they will lead. This project, which started in October 2024 and will run until October 2028, prioritises the EU's goals of safeguarding linguistic diversity and promoting multilingualism. It aims to bring together researchers and activists focusing on minority languages from across Europe, including Turkey, to network, exchange knowledge and documents, and share best practices.
Since Ladino will also be covered within the scope of this project, they are trying to bring individuals from Turkey and other countries into their network. Although no significant movement is expected on this project in the current academic year, being part of such a network within Europe in the coming years, and including individuals working in the field of Ladino, presents an exciting opportunity.
