SHORT HISTORY OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN GREECE

he first evidence of the settlement elements of the Greek language, which led to the of Jews in Greece is a third century creation of the so-called Greco-Judaic dialect. B.C. inscription, which refers to a Jew The influence of the Greek civilization has been from Voiotia in the name of Moschos particularly evident in Jewish art and apparel. This Moschionos. The inscription was found unique Romaniote Greco-Judaic community has inT Oropos (near Athens) and has been dated from survived until today mainly in the city of Ioannina. between 300 – 250 B.C. During excavations in the Ancient Market of It would appear that the first Jews, or at least some Athens both the Menorah (the seven candle lamp) of them, were slaves who were sold in Greece by and the Loulav (a religious ceremonial symbol) were neighbouring populations that had occupied Judea. found engraved on marble. They date from 500 Initially, they came to Greece via Cyprus, Minor Asia A.D. and they demonstrate the existence of a Jewish and the Aegean islands. It is reported that among community in Athens and possibly the existence of a these Jews was the high priest Jason the Third, who Synagogue in the region. came to Sparta at the time of Antiochus the Fourth During the 12th century A.D., Benjamin of Tudela, the Eminent (175 – 164 B.C.). the renowned Jewish traveller, reported that he The Book of Maccabees contains a list of the encountered Jews in Corfu, Arta, Patras, Nafpaktos, Jewish Communities that were spread out in the most Corinth, Thebes, Chalkis, Thessaloniki, Drama as significant Greek cities (Maccabees, A’ 15:23). This well as in other Greek cities. Moreover, he reported list, which has been dated to 142 B.C., as well as a that Jews were also living in the islands of Lesvos, similar list that was prepared by the historian Filon Chios, Samos, Rhodes and Cyprus. The largest Jewish the Judean, mentions the existence of Jews in Sparta, Community that Benjamin visited was that of Thebes, Delos, Sikion, Samos, Kos, Crete, Thessaly, Voiotia, which numbered 2,000 members. On the contrary, Macedonia, Aitolia, Attica, Argos, Corinth, and in only 500 Jews were living in Thessaloniki. In the Cyprus. remaining cities the number of Jews ranged between During the first century B.C. there was Jewish 20 and 400. They were mainly employed or engaged in presence in Delos. This has been evidenced by the dye-works, the textile industry and the silk industry. existence of the remains of an ancient Synagogue From the end of the 14th century A.D. onwards, as well as from the many Jewish inscriptions that Jewish refugees from Spain and Portugal settled in were found in Delos. The Jewish element in Rhodes the Greek peninsula and the neighbouring islands. is of considerable interest. Herod, the king of Judea, These Jews settled primarily in Thessaloniki but also maintained friendly relations with the Jews of Rhodes. in other cities, for example Trikala, Larissa and Volos. Finally, the Jews of Crete have been mentioned by These Jews, known as Sephardim, brought their own Flavius Josephus. language (the Jewish-Spanish language – Ladino) as The Jewish population in Greece increased at well as their own traditions, manners and customs. the time of the Judaic Wars (66 – 70 B.C.). Josephus During the 14th century and at the time of the mentions that 6,000 Jews were sent by Vespasian reign of Sultan Mourat, a large number of Jews from to Nero in order to be employed in the Isthmus of Hungary settled in Kavala and Sidirokastro, following Corinth. The ancient Jewish nucleus that existed in the occupation of their country by the Ottomans. A Greece formed the basis of Jewish pockets during second exodus of Hungarian Jews followed in 1546 at the Byzantine era (from 330 A.D. onwards) when the time of the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. the capital of the Roman Empire was transferred to Yet another massive settlement of Jews in Constantinople. Greece, this time in Corfu, took place when the The Romaniote Jewish community derived from Italian speaking Jews of Apulia (southern Italy) were the Jews living in the Byzantine Empire, who settled expelled. in Greece and came into contact with the Greek From the 16th to the 18th century the Jewish civilization and the Greek language. The Romaniotes Community of Thessaloniki was among the largest created a separate cultural amalgam. They maintained in the world. After the occupation of Rhodes by the the characteristics of the Jewish faith but adopted Ottomans in 1552, a considerable number of Jews

90 from Thessaloniki settled in that island. In Crete, Jews Konstantinos Logothetopoulos and to Nazi General played a significant role in transit commerce. Crete was Stroop constituted a monumental text for supporting also famous on account of its learned Rabbis and Jewish the Greek Jewry and was unique for occupied Europe. scholars, among others, Michael ben Shabbetai Cohen On account of his severe written protestation against Balbo (1411 – 1484), Elias Kapsalis (1483-1555), Josef the persecution of the Jews of Greece, General Solomon Dalmedoglou (1591-1655), etc. Stroop had threatened Archbishop Damaskinos with execution. This protestation was written in a very sharp 20th Century – language. It referred to the strong bonds between The period before World War II Orthodox Greeks and Greek Jews that exist not only in terms of civil rights (being citizens of Greece) but t the beginning of the 20th century there were mainly in terms of spirit and soul. The protestation was some 10,000 Jews living in Greece. Following a monument of braveness, national pride and respect Athe Balkan wars (1912-13) and the liberation of for the human ideals. Moreover, it was a manifestation Northern Greece, Epirus, Chios and Crete (1908), the of the views held by the Greek population, which at the number of Jews in Greece reached almost 100,000. time was gagged. The protestation was signed by 29 In 1940, when Italian and German forces attacked entities, bodies and organisations, which represented Greece, 12,898 Jews fought in the ranks of the Greek cultural and professional Greece. In addition, the army: of them, 343 had the rank of an officer or petty Archbishop urged Greek Christians and monasteries to officer. Among the brave fighters of the War in Albania offer asylum to Jewish families in order to avoid their were Colonel Mardochai Frizis, from Chalkis, who died being banished. heroically in the battle of Kalamas, officer Jean Allalouf During the Nazi occupation, many Jews participated from Thessaloniki, Major Salvador Sarfatis from in the National Resistance. This was recognised by Athens, officers Josef Varouch from Corfu, Leon Dostis the Greek State and by resistance organisation and from Ioannina and many others. honorary distinctions were awarded. Before the Second World War, Jewish Communities were operating in 27 cities all over Greece: Didymoticho, Nea Orestiada, Alexandroupoli, Participation in Greek life Komotini, Xanthi, Kavala, Drama, Serres, Thessaloniki, he Jews of Greece had participated and continue Veroia, Kastoria, Florina, Trikala, Larissa, Volos, to participate actively in the country’s public Chalkis, Athens, Patras, Agrinio, Ioannina, Preveza, Tlife. In the past, a number of Jews served Arta, Corfu, Zakynthos (Zante), Chania, Rhodes as representatives of the Greek population in the and Kos. The total number of Jews living in these Parliament and in the Senate (when it existed). Others Communities was 77,377. held high ranking positions in the public administration and in Universities. Moreover, a significant number of Jews have had a distinguished presence in arts and The period of World War II – letters. German occupation

uring the Second World War, when Greece Contemporary Greece was under the occupation of Nazi Germany, oday, the Greek Jewry is mainly active in the D86 per cent of Greek Jews lost their lives as private sector (commerce, industry, etc), in a result of Nazi actions, transfer to concentration Tscience and in the public administration. It camps, extermination and killings. After the Holocaust, numbers some 5,500 persons, who are organised in only a few people survived in the many cities where eight Jewish Communities. These operate in Athens, blossoming Jewish Communities had previously existed. Thessaloniki, Larissa, Volos, Chalkis, Ioannina, Trikala The proud reply of the then Archbishop of Athens and Corfu. Only a few Jews live in the Communities of Damaskinos to the collaborator Prime Minister Kavala and Rhodes, which are currently inactive.

91 THE DESTRUCTION OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITIES

ish figures and the property and chattels tions lines in most wretched, primitive THE PLIGHT of Community Institutions. They also conditions. Many died of ill-treatment, OF THE JEWS raided Jewish homes and shops as well exhaustion and disease. After a while, the as public and private institutions such as Jewish Community managed to secure OF THESSALONIKI schools, libraries, banks, hospitals and, the release of those remaining by pay- of course, Synagogues. Everything to do ing the occupying forces a huge sum of with religion, be it valuable books or rare money, which they had put together with manuscripts, archives or priceless collec- the help of other Jewish Communities in tions of rabbinical decisions, was seized Greece. Historian E. Hekimoglou has re- hessaloniki, home of the larg- and sent to Germany. Two years later, cently been instrumental in bringing the est Jewish Community in Dr Johan Paul, director of the Frankfurt receipts for this transaction to light. Greece and so-called Madre based Nazi Library for the Investigation In December of that same year, 1942, de Israel, came under German into the Jewish Question, proudly an- with urban planning as their pretext and Toccupation right from the start. nounced that the library had over 10,000 the complicity of Thessaloniki Corpora- It was here that the first systematic books and manuscripts from Greece. tion, the Germans started destroying the persecution of Greek Jews began. Two Although systematic anti-Jewish Jewish cemetery, parts of which dated days after the Germans had occupied measures had not yet been enforced as back to 15th century. This was a serious the city, the Jewish daily newspapers, Le such, Jews were already forbidden from blow to the Community as the cemetery Progress, L’ Independant and Messag- entering coffee-houses and restaurants, had, in fact, constituted a record of its gero, were forced to close down. Their Rabbis were publicly humiliated from history. But the insult to the dead was printing presses were confiscated and time to time, Rabbi Haim Habbib, who even worse, as the Jewish religion does given to organisations with German was beaten in the Community offices, not allow exhumation under any circum- leanings, like the Ethniki Enosi Ellados being a case in point. Jews were beaten stances. Few families managed to rescue (National Union of Greece) known as and terrorised, or were denounced as relics from their family tombs. The re- the 3Es. And it was at one of these very communists and executed. mains of a few notable Rabbis were taken same Jewish printing presses that the 3Es But worse was yet to come. On 11th for re-interment in a different location started printing the blatantly racist “Nea July 1942 all male Jews were ordered – there where the present-day Jewish Evropi” newspaper, which came close to to gather in Plateia Eleftherias (Liberty cemetery is. When they had destroyed being the official instrument of the city’s Square) in the centre of the city, suppos- the old cemetery, the Germans used the Occupying Authorities. edly to be included in labour registers. tombstones as building material. Conse- Many Jewish families were turned The 10,000 or so men were made to stand quently, very little of this old cemetery out of their homes so that these could outdoors in the scorching hot summer has survived. The site of the old cem- be used as offices for German military sun and perform humiliating physical etery, where there were approximately services and personnel. Property be- exercises until they reached the point of 400,000 Jewish graves, is now occupied longing to particularly wealthy Jews was exhaustion. Those who were unable to by the Aristotle University of Thessa- seized. The Community’s Administrative endure it and passed out were subjected loniki School of Philosophy, School of Council had been forcibly disbanded as to savage beating. The majority of the Theology and other schools. Hundreds early as 15th April 1941 and its Archives Christians who saw this remained silent, of thousands of students have studied and everything of value in its offices had but some, besides the Germans present, at these schools over the years, but it is been confiscated. actually applauded. The “Apogevmatini” doubtful whether more than a handful A more systematic policy of search and “Makedonia” newspapers, already are aware of the history of the site. The and ransack was carried out by the no- known for their anti-Semitic attitudes Jewish Community, the Central Board of torious Sontercommando Rosenberg. from pre-war times, reacted in a similar Jewish Communities in Greece, and pri- There was a special unit for registering way, as did “Nea Evropi”, of course. vate persons have repeatedly asked that Jewish Communities and distinguished Shortly after this, about 7,000 of the a simple plaque be placed there, but so figures, and collecting objects of religious city’s Jewish population were sent to do far to no avail. significance for Jews as well as other forced labour in places near Thessaloniki In February 1943, Dieter Wisliceny, valuable objects. This unit arrived in the and on the railway line to Athens. They assistant to the notorious Adolf Eich- city shortly after its occupation and set to toiled to build roads and barricades for mann of the SS, arrived in the city with work drawing up lists of prominent Jew- the Germans and repaired communica- Alois Brunner to pave the way for the

92 systematic removal of the city’s Jewish gesting they would be taken to live in ru- population; or at least a part that had population. Between 6 and 17 of that ral areas of Poland, so as to perpetuate been particularly active in city business same month orders were issued which, confusion and anxiety in the Commu- until that time. But what became of all in effect, meant the implementation of nity. No one was in a position to know the things they left behind? On the or- Nuremburg Law in Thessaloniki. Just a what would happen from one day to the ders of the Military Commander of Thes- few examples are given below: next. The few possible means of escape saloniki, the notorious Dr Max Merten, • As from 6 March 1943 all Jews of attracted few people, mainly because Jewish owned property, shops, goods, five years old and over were obliged they were reluctant to leave their fami- bonds, deposits, real estate and chattels to wear a distinguishing yellow star lies or relatives behind. They were also were either looted or confiscated and measuring 10cm x 10cm on their hampered by the fact that the Resistance distributed among Germans or Greek chest. The stars, or badges as the was not yet fully organized as it was later collaborators. Jews themselves called them, were on in other parts of Greece where Jews The attempt to give this process a produced on a Community tin press were frequently saved with the help of semblance of legality led to the establish- at the Community’s expense. The resistance organizations. ment, under Enforced Act 205 / 1943, of press can still be seen in the Jewish The Germans had asked the Archrab- the Department for the Management of Museum of Thessaloniki. bi of the Community, Zvi Coretz, to pro- Jewish Owned Property (Y.D.Ι.P.) whose • All Jews, including those who had vide them with a list of all members of three-member committees supposedly adopted the Christian faith within the Jewish Community, which he did, undertook to record and evaluate the the last two generations, were obliged probably in the hope that this would estates and entrust their management to register and be issued with special appease them. But the stage was thus to ‘prudent heads of families’. The trus- identity cards. set for what was to follow. On Saturday tees would be answerable to the Greek • Jewish homes and shops had to be 14th March 1943, all Jews in the “Baron state and would have to provide detailed clearly identified as such. Hirsch” ghetto, about 2,800 in all, were management reports on the mainte- • Jews were not allowed to buy, sell or arrested and sent to Poland by train the nance of the estates, which were not to transfer ownership of property of any following day, packed in wretched condi- be sold. But, as was only to be expected, kind, land or chattels. Strict penalties tions into railway cars used to transport this law was rarely fully upheld as there were in place for those who received animals. The Nazis were particularly was insufficient time for correct records transfer of ownership. harsh on young children as their ultimate to be made and, frequently, the will to • Jews were banned from using any goal was to prevent the perpetuation of do so was also lacking, not to mention form of public transport. the Jewish race. Those few who survived constant interference by the Germans • All telephone apparatus owned by have described conditions in those over- who handed over shops and other prop- Jews was confiscated. crowded cattle cars with 70 to 75 people erty directly to those they favoured. And • All Jews were obliged to move to one packed into each one. For a journey last- there were, sadly, those who blatantly of the ghetto areas designated by the ing four days or more, they had nowhere profited from the misfortune of their Germans, the main ones being “Baron to sit, only one barrel of drinking water Jewish fellow citizens. Some mitigating Hirsch” and “Exohon”. At very short and one barrel for calls of nature. Many circumstances must be conceded for notice approximately 6,000 families died on the way and their bodies were refugees from Bulgarian occupied terri- were ordered to leave their homes, simply left by the rails whenever the tory, who found themselves in Thessalo- hand the keys over to the Germans train stopped. Greek railway staff were niki with no means of making a living. and seek accommodation elsewhere, appalled by what they saw and rumours But many just got what they could out taking only what was absolutely es- about the extermination of Jews began of the situation. sential with them. In the restricted to circulate. But it was already too late; There was, of course, another side ghetto areas conditions were very the trap had snapped shut. By 2 August to the coin. Some sectors reacted and cramped – as many as six families 1943 about 56,000 Jews had been taken protested against the way the Germans would have to share one flat or house. from Thessaloniki in a total of 19 railway treated the Jews. Bishop Gennadios of Initially, they were at least allowed out despatches. Most were destined for the Thessaloniki gave the city’s clerics ver- of the ghetto to go to work. Very soon Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. Only a mere bal instructions to advise their congre- though they were forbidden to leave 1,950 of them were ever to return. The gations not to show any sign of scorn or the ghetto on pain of being shot. As Jewish Community of Thessaloniki was discrimination against the Jews when most of their shops and businesses never to be the same again. they were obliged to wear the yellow star. were located outside the ghettos, the A small number of Jews of Spanish He even went as far as petitioning the Jews of Thessaloniki lost their liveli- nationality were fortunate enough to be German Military Commander of Thes- hood. sent to Bergen-Belsen transit camp. After saloniki, Dr Max Merten, to end the re- The occupation authorities issued endless negotiations between the Ger- moval of Jews from the city. countless orders, such as that requir- man and Spanish governments they were Police stations started issuing Jews ing a detailed inventory of property and released and eventually reached Spain. with false identity cards with Christian chattels, as well as misleading promises The city seemed empty without this names on them stating their religion as designed to allay fears, such as that sug- large and particularly active part of its Greek Orthodox. They were indistin-

93 guishable from genuine identity cards. nounced to them that they considered Under these false names, a number of them war prisoners and that they were XANTHI - KOMOTINI Jews managed to get into Italian occu- to be deported. pied territory, where persecution had On the following day, the Jews and not yet started, and find refuge in more their families, a total of 740 people densely populated Athens. with very little food, were put on cat- he fate of the Jews of Xanthi The Italian Consul, Zamboni, pro- tle wagons, 80 persons on each wagon. who shortly before the War vided valuable help by issuing Italian citi- The train started off to Thessaloniki via nymbered 550 persons, was zenship documents even on the flimsiest Alexandroupolis. Convoys from Nea no different from that of oth- evidence of Italian descent, thus helping Orestiada and Soufli followed. When Ters of their faith in Bulgarian occupied scores of Jews to escape. they arrived in Thessaloniki they were Greek territory. After the initial meas- Many others, who for one reason led to a ghetto guarded by the Germans. ures which included the census of the or another were unable to leave Thes- On 10 May 1943, they were deported by Jewish population, the obligation to saloniki, managed to survive by hiding train to the death camps Auschwitz – wear the Star of David and hang simi- as members of Christian families. Whole Birkenau. Eight Jewish families (30 peo- larly distinguishing signs by the doors families frequently found refuge in the ple) from Didimoticho who had Spanish of their shops and homes, after the pro- homes of their Christian fellow citizens. citizenship were amongst them, for no hibitions and drafting for forced labour, Those who sheltered them were ordinary intervention could rescue them. came the night of 3 to 4 March 1943. people who had nothing to gain – even The 1945 census of the Central Board Germany’s Bulgarian allies took the though some were paid for the shelter of Jewish Communities showed that Jews of Xanthi by surprise in the mid- they provided. However, the dangers out of the 900 Jews of Didymoticho, dle of the night, arrested them and took they and their families faced were huge. only 33 survived the camps or fled to them to an empty tobacco warehouse Under German orders they would be other cities or villages. The total losses where they remained for a few days. Then subject to capital punishment if they of the Community was 96%. Today no they were piled onto trains in wretched were found out. Jews live in Didymoticho and this his- conditions and taken to the town of Lom toric Community has died out, like by the River Danube. There they were the ones of Nea Orestiada, Soufli and put onto riverboats and taken up-river THE TRAGIC Alexandroupolis, because of the atro- to Vienna. There followed an even more cious Holocaust. difficult, longer journey by train through DEPORTATION Poland – bound for Treblinka and death. OF THE JEWS OF Only 6 survived. DIDYMOTICHO ALEXANDROUPOLIS The same tragedy struck the Jews of Komotini: the same night of 3 to 4 March 1943, the 819 members of the Jewish Community of Komotini followed their correligionsts of Eastern Macedonia and n 1940 many young Jews from s was only natural, Alexa- Thrace to the martyrdom. Only 28 Jews Didymoticho participated in the ndroupolis (formerly Adria- of Komotini survived. war against the Italians. Because of noupolis) founded in 1850 the war events some Jewish fami- as the medial transit port on Ilies left Didimoticho and settled in other Athe Compagnie Orientale’s railway link KAVALA: communities. between Thessaloniki and Istanbul, at- In 1941 the city was invaded by the tracted Jews who rose to the challenge of THE BULGARIAN Germans and their commander reassured trading in goods passing through. ACCOMPLISHES the leaderships of the religious minorities Before the war the town’s small TO NAZI CRIMES that they were in no danger whatsoever Jewish Community numbered 140, most and that they would enjoy equal rights of whom were merchants dealing in tex- with no discrimination or action against tiles and glassware, but there were also them. This appeased the community. In some who dealt in money-changing. ulgarian forces came down March 1943, however, news of deporta- There was a Synagogue in present-day in Greece as Hitler’s manda- tions of Jews from Thessaloniki gave rise Mazaraki Street. tory. They aimed at releasing to restlessness and confusion. After a pe- On 3 March 1943 all Jews in town and making available German riod of superficial calm, on 4 May 1943, were arrested and sent to extermina- Btroops which, in a different scenario, the Germans suddenly called upon all the tion camps. Of the 140 arrested, only 4 would have to be stationed in Northern Jews to show up at the Synagogue in or- survived. Greece to control the area. The Bulgarian der to make a “serious announcement” to Today there is absolutely nothing in Government had committed itself to them. Once they were all gathered there, Alexandroupolis to serve as a reminder Germany to apply anti-Semitic meas- the doors closed and the Germans an- of its Jewish population. ures. However, as it was afraid of poten-

94 tial internal and international reaction, them to the Treblinka camp. Some of ic composition of the area. The popula- it followed a rather mild anti-Semitic the vessels on which the Bulgarian au- tion reacted to this brutal regime and policy within its borders. On the con- thorities had loaded the Jews of Kavala in the night of 28 September 1941 riots trary, in the foreign lands it controlled sunk (deliberately or not) before reach- took place in Drama and in Doxato. The the Bulgarian Government implemented ing Lom. These vessels dragged their hu- Bulgarian Authorities took the oppor- the full range of measures against Jews. man cargo to death. tunity and used the riots as an excuse to As a result, the Jewish Communities of Before the War, the bloomed Jewish proceed with mass executions of thou- Eastern Macedonia and Thrace – regions Community of Kavala numbered 2,100 sands of people. Many other inhabitants that were controlled by the Bulgarian people; of them only 42 survived and of Drama – not only Jews – fled to the occupation forces – demonstrated the they were the ones who, one way or an- German occupied regions. After these highest mortality rates compared to all other, had managed to stay away from events, the Jewish population of Drama other Jewish Communities in Greece. the city that fateful night. When they numbered only 592 souls. The Jews of Already from the summer of 1941, returned after the War, they had noth- Drama were recorded and were forced Bulgarian occupation forces had obliged ing: no home, no family, only the cloths to wear the yellow star. Furthermore, Greek citizens of Jewish faith to wear they were wearing. signs were posted on the doors of Jewish the yellow star on their chest. At a later homes and stores. stage, they were not permitted to walk THE ELIMINATION Following a special agreement be- in central streets and to meet in public tween the Germans and the Bulgarians, places such as squares and restaurants. OF THE JEWS OF DRAMA which was signed in Sofia on 21 February Their property was confiscated and all 1943, the Bulgarians promised the ban- their valuables were taken from them. ishment of the Jewish population from Moreover, they were not allowed to pur- the Bulgarian occupied zones. The de- sue any employment, while young men efore World War II, there were tails of the banishment were set out in were ordered to forced labour. 1,200 Jews living in Drama. the agreement. On 21 January 1943, 460 Jews living Their presence dates from In pursuance of this agreement, in in Kavala were put into requisition and at least the beginning of the the night of 3 – 4 March 1943 Bulgarians were taken away for forced labour in the BTurkish occupation, but became stronger launched a surprise operation and ar- railway line Sidirocastro – Simitli. Of during the 19th century, when production rested all Jews living in the Bulgarian them, 400 were delivered to the Germans, and commerce bloomed in the area. The occupied zones. They were assembled in who led them to Auschwitz. The younger Jews of Drama were active in the urban the building of the Tobacco Monopoly, ones were put to the gas chambers, while professions that are traditional for the where they remained for a few days. the rest were used as forced labour. Only Jews. However, as the 20th century gradu- Then they were taken to the railway sta- a few of them survived. ally lowered the barriers between com- tion in armed escort and from there to In an effort to respond to Germany’s munities, some Jews started being in- the extermination camps. demands, the Bulgarian Government or- volved in occupations related to the land, ganized a surprise displacement opera- especially the cultivation of tobacco. SERRES: tion for all Jews of Greek and Serbian They lived in harmony with the other nationality. By doing so, the Bulgarian residents of Drama and the links between ONLY THE THREE WHO Government managed to save and move the communities were encouraged by WERE AWAY SURVIVED all Jews of Bulgarian nationality to its the prelacy of the respective communi- territory. ties. A good example of this harmonious In the night of 3 – 4 March 1943, coexistence is that Jews and Christians the residents of Kavala were as always worked together and set up joint com- erres was in Bulgarian occupied at home on account of the curfew that panies. Despite the great upheaval of territory right from the start. had been imposed. The Bulgarian forces wars and the socioeconomic crisis of the In his book “Chronicle of the entered forcibly the houses of the Jews, years between the First and the Second Jewish Community of Serres”, who resided not only in Kavala but World War, residents of Drama man- SHaralambos Vouroutzides writes that also in the other cities that were under aged to live in harmony, irrespective of in the summer of 1941, when the oc- Bulgarian occupation. They dragged their religious background. cupying Bulgarians demanded that the them out, half-naked as they were, and On 21 April 1941, thirteen days after Jewish Community of Serres should took them all to the empty tobacco the German invasion of Greece, Bulgarian join the city’s Bulgarian Club with a warehouses. There they were kept for 3 forces occupied the areas of Eastern view to eventually changing national- – 4 days in the chilling nights of March. Macedonia and Western Thrace, except ity, the city’s Jewish Council answered: Thereafter, they were transferred, under for a part of Evros, which remained un- ‘We were born in Greece. Greece is the inhuman conditions, in the Bulgarian in- der the German Administration. land of our fathers. We are Greek. We terior and more specifically to the port The Bulgarian Authorities began to will not change our nationality for any of Lom on the Danube River. They were apply extremely suppressive measures, reason or for any gain’. Brave words, delivered to the Germans, who took which aimed at altering the demograph- but they might have cost the lives of

95 the members of the Community. The time of Saint Paul the Apostle’s visit avoid capture. Bulgarian government had entered a there in 53 A.D. In 1940 there were ap- But the vast majority of the Jewish binding agreement with Germany to proximately 850 Jews living in Veria. population of Veria vainly hoped that enforce anti-Semitic measures, but as The imminent demise of the city’s their fears were unfounded and met a it encountered opposition from abroad Jewish community first became appar- cruel fate. and wanted to reach a compromise with ent during the German Occupation. On On the last day of the Jewish Pessah, the Allies, it was both lax and slow in 13 February 1943, the German gover- the city’s remaining Jews, numbering ap- enforcing the measures at home. On the nor of Thessaloniki issued an order proximately 460 in all, were arrested in other hand, it wanted to comply with obliging German appointed Archrabbi, the Synagogue while at morning prayer. German demands and exercised strict Zvi Coretz, to take steps to ensure that On 1 May 1943, after being held in strict anti-Semitic policy in what it called the racist laws were strictly and fully im- confinement there for three days, they ‘new territories’, in other words occu- plemented in all Jewish Communities were finally led down the main street of pied Greek and Serbian territory. These falling within the German administered the city to the railway station where they measures culminated in sudden, swift district of Thessaloniki – Aigaio. were bundled onto a train and trans- operations to round up and deport the On 22 of that same February, Thes- ported to Baron Hirsch ghetto transit Jewish populations. So Bulgaria man- saloniki Community employees touring camp in Thessaloniki. aged to save its own Jewish population towns and cities in the north of Greece to Bishop Polycarpos of Veria had, almost in its entirety by sacrificing the supervise the implementation of the rac- amidst great secrecy, already ensured lives of Jews living in its occupied ter- ist laws reached Veria. They quickly saw that, if nothing else, at least the Holy ritories in their stead. to it that the racist laws were most strictly Books and sacred vessels from the Syna- On the night of 4 March 1943 the applied. They confined the city’s Jewish gogue were kept safe in the bishop’s pal- Jews of Serres were awoken by per- population to ghettos and obliged all Jews ace. When the storm was over he gave sistent knocking at their doors. When to wear distinguishing arm bands. them to the survivors. they opened them they were faced with When the Community’s president, On the morning of 9 May all the Bulgarians who piled them into the Menahem Stroumsa, voiced his con- Jews of Veria, along with others of the rooms behind a tobacco shop. From cern to Archrabbi Coretz at a slightly same faith from Thessaloniki, Florina, there they were taken to an unkown later date, he was given a reassuring Didymoticho, Oresteiada and Soufli, destination. The town’s Christian popu- reply. He was told that the first groups, were piled into carriages of despair, to lation were all in their homes because of which had already left Thessaloniki, had be unloaded a number of days later at the the curfew and had no idea what the mix- arrived in Krakow as expected, where crematoria of Auschwitz-Birkenau and ture of weeping and wailing and orders they had been welcomed by other Treblinka. None ever returned to Veria. they could hear signified. When they Jews who had helped them to settle in. Only those who had escaped to the came out into the street in the morn- These reassurances boosted the mo- mountains and managed to survive the ing, there was not a single Jew left in the rale of the Veria Jews and convinced hardships there returned. Horrified by town. And neither would any of those them that there was no need to take the plague of death, embittered by the rounded up that night ever return. to the mountain villages as planned, barbarity of the “Final Solution”, disap- They were taken first to empty to- despite the fact that as early as April pointed in the indifference and not infre- bacco warehouses, then by train to the 1943 members of EAM-ELAS Resist- quent complicity of their Christian fellow river Danube, by riverboat to Vienna ance groups had spoken to the Jewish citizens who, forgetting their common and then by train again to Treblinka Community’s leadership and suggested fate and common memories within the camp and the gas chambers. Of the a plan whereby members of the Com- space of one night, had betrayed them 600 or so Jews of Serres only 3 survived munity could escape to the mountains and seized their property, they returned – the 3 that happened to be out of town of Pieria. The plan fell through as the to mourn and bury the scattered remains on that fateful night. wealthier members of the Community of their tormented lives. were no longer willing to finance it, but also because of Jewish concerns about THE PERSECUTION internecine rivalry among the various THE ELIMINATION resistance groups. So only 144 Jews OF THE JEWS actually did something about trying OF THE JEWS OF VERIA to escape, with the altruistic help of a OF KASTORIA few of the town’s Christian residents. Some attempts failed, either because of close German surveillance or, sadly, he Jewish Community of because of betrayal by informers. Those n the night of 23 – 24 March 1944, Veria, unfortunately no long- who did manage to break out survived Kastoria was covered by 50 cm of er extant, was one of the ear- in the mountains despite the hardship, snow. It was smooth and lasted liest Romaniot Communities degradation and the need to move con- less than a day. As it dawned, the Twith references to it dating back to the stantly from one village to another to Ilocal population was astonished by 96 two strange and unexpected events. mail and, accompanied by soldiers of that the residents of Florina have de- The snow had turned slightly black, course, brought food from their homes. leted that chapter of their history that because of ashes from Vesuvius that They shared the food with the other concerns their Jewish fellow citizens. had been carried all the way to Kastoria prisoners. During the one month im- The Jews of Florina (about 400 peo- by the wind, and there was the unu- prisonment of the Jews of Kastoria, the ple) were mainly merchants of textiles sual presence of hundreds of SS sol- Germans repeated the blackmail two and shoes as well as butchers. At the diers. But the air of Kastoria echoed or three times. 1940-41 War Memorial, which was the cries of peaceful citizens of Jewish During these horrible last days in erected in the G. Modi square (the faith who, under threats and shouting, Kastoria, many Jews saw their wives central square of the city), the names of were dragged by the Nazi beasts to the and daughters taken away in the mid- four Jews are mentioned alongside the place where they were forced to assem- dle of the night to satisfy the brutal in- names of the other residents of Florina, ble – the Kiazim Bei building, which stincts of soldiers and officers … These who were killed during the warfare. had previously housed the Girls’ High unfortunate creatures, torn into pieces In 1943, the German occupying School, next to the house of Valala, from the night orgies they had to go forces treated the Jews of Florina the close to the mosque. through by their savage rapists, were same way they treated Jews all over Some 900 – 1000 Jews were ruth- accompanied back to the sad prison in Europe. They eliminated them in the lessly packed to that old and aban- the morning. concentration camps and the cremato- doned building. They had committed Tragic days … Tragic, dramatic and ria of Poland and Germany. As regards only one ‘crime’: they were Jews. The inexplicable for all human beings who the Jews of Florina, the German forces conditions under which they had been understood the meaning of the word made them war the yellow star of David gathered and led there were more than “human”. But how would anyone re- on their arms and they assembled them tragic. Respectable old men and wom- act when fear covered everything in in the schoolyards (mainly in the yards en, sick people, fathers and mothers, a horrible and merciless silence? All of the First and of the Second Primary helpless babies and handicapped per- true Christian souls were in deep pain Schools). Then, they carried them sons were beaten in the streets with the caused by the unfair persecution of to death by train. The only ones who rifle stocks of Hitler’s beasts. Locked their fellow citizens and friends, whose survived were the ones that realized in this miserable prison, which was only difference was their Jewish faith. the danger and hid in the mountains. guarded night and day by unsmiling Then came the last tragic day when The rest of the Jews of Florina, young soldiers, they were sentenced to starve the unfortunate Jews of Kastoria were men and women, children, elder peo- to death. dragged to the grey lorries of the ple, rich merchants and tallymen were It was then that, despite the climate Germans to be carried to the crema- led to death in a climate of sorrow and of terror, the population of Kastoria, toria. Of them, only 30 – 40 survived. loneliness from their fellow country- led by the Bishop – the dear depart- And even the survivors, in order to men. They left as they had come in the ed St. Nikiforos – took a brave step: avoid looking at the ruins of their once 15th century: strangers and wanderers, they asked the garrison commander, a happy lives, dispersed to all parts of the with the external expectation to return man called Hildebrandt, to allow the world. to the “promised land”. A woman of diocese of Kastoria to offer the prison- (Excerpts from the testimony of D. Christian faith who witnessed the trag- ers at least one meager meal per day Giannoussis, published in the local edy remembers a Jew saying: “Goodbye (pulses or potatoes). The beast agreed. newspaper “Nea Kastoria” on July 1st, my dear wife; they took the children by His reaction was quite unexpected but 1983). force …”. maybe he had taken such orders by his The Germans confiscated all their superiors. The mess was supplied for possessions and property. Their homes few days, under the supervision of the THE JEWISH and stores were plundered. Some resi- unforgettable “father”, now long gone, dents of Florina became “custodians” of Vassilis Papamichail. COMMUNITY their moveable property … The very few But a small quantity of pulses with OF FLORINA who survived the Holocaust emigrated almost no oil was not enough for a HAS VANISHED to America, Israel and Buenos Aires. whole day. All prisoners were very hun- The only one who remained in Florina gry and had every reason to complain. was Cohen, who also later moved to Their complaints and begging were an- Volos and died there. After the War, all swered by a single word: real estate belonging to Jews was sold - Gold sovereigns! - at very low prices. The Germans proposed them to let t seems that the memory of the them have some food from their homes Jews of Florina has been lost. Today, there is nothing in the city to on the condition that they would re- Indeed, the younger generations remind residents and visitors alike that veal them the place where they had do not even know that 50 years Jews used to live there. Their memory hidden the gold coins. Those who had agoI a thriving Jewish community was is nowhere to be found; not even in the kept sovereigns accepted this black- flourishing in Florina. It would appear name of a street …

97 Perhaps they hoped that eventually all left with the problem of what to do with “ROUNDING UP” would be well. the Synagogue itself. They did not trou- Alas, evil wasted no time. Dawn ble their heads too much over that. They THE JEWS IN LARISSA was breaking on 24 March 1944 when turned it into a stable for their horses the round-up of Jews began. At about and mules! five o’clock in the morning the silence of the night was split by the sound of ve- hicles coming to a halt with screeching HOW THE JEWS efore the war there were tyres. With informers helping them, the 1,120 people in the Jewish Germans surrounded the entire Jewish OF VOLOS ESCAPED Community of Larissa and it quarter. Jackboots echoed from the was one of the most prosper- pavements and, one by one, the doors Bous communities in Greece. The city’s to Jewish homes gave way to the urgent Jewish population, for the most part pounding. The catalogue of families and merchants, enjoyed extremely good re- names that the Germans had in their he Jewish Community of lations with their Christian fellow citi- possession left no chance of escape. So Volos came into being mainly zens and were fully integrated into local all those who had been misled by Nazi through Jews moving there customs and traditions. Jews lived in tactics were driven like a herd of animals from other communities various parts of the city, but most lived to the main square. There they were Tin Greece, particularly from Chalkis, side by side with a number of Christian struck with coshes and whips and piled Ioannina and Larissa. In pre-war years families in the area known as the Jewish into the back of trucks. Endless mo- the community numbered approximately quarter. ments of torture... A horrible procession 1,200 people, most of whom were mer- When the War broke out Jews were took shape; a hotchpotch herd made up chants, owners of small industries, clerks, called upon to serve their country just of children, women, old and young. The labourers and small traders, but there like all other Greeks. They fought in 235 terrified Jews were taken to the ve- were also qualified, professional people. Albania and suffered their share of losses hicle depot, which had been converted The 1943 census – conducted shortly be- in dead and injured. to serve as a concentration camp. There fore the persecution began – registered The Jews of Larissa were not they remained in wretched conditions 872 people. The reduction in numbers specifically targetted under Italian for eight days. Those who had managed was because many members of the com- Occupation. Like all residents of to hide valuables or money on their per- munity, mainly the wealthier ones, had Larissa they knew hardships and sons were forced to hand them over to left for Athens and elsewhere in the wake longed for freedom, but the occupy- the guards. Jews arrested in Ioannina, of the dramatic events in Thessaloniki. ing forces never singled them out for Volos and Trikala swelled their numbers. After the Italian surrender in Sep- particularly harsh treatment. However, All together they were taken to the rail- tember 1943 and the extension of Ger- in March 1943 in German occupied way station where they were piled into man occupied territory to cover the Thessaloniki Jews were arrested and freight cars on the death train which had whole of Greece, the persecution be- sent to concentration camps, so great begun its journey in Athens. Their final came more widespread and the Volos anxiety spread among the people of destination, after a nine-day journey in Community was hit. On 30 September Larissa. They found a measure of sol- inhuman conditions, Auschwitz station 1943 the Germans, who had already set- ace in the fact that they were in Italian – the last stop before the gas chambers tled in the city, asked Archrabbi Moesis occupied territory and the Italians had, and crematoria of Birkenau. Pessah for a detailed list of the names, as yet, shown no signs of intent to harm The Germans had carefully planned addresses and property of the Jews of them. So when the initial anxiety was every detail of Operation 24th March Volos. Fully aware of what had taken over, they began to feel more at ease 1944. Not a single Christian home place in Thessaloniki and realising what and carried on with their lives quietly, was disturbed – not even by mistake. their intentions were, the Archrabbi being careful not to provoke in any way Everything had been planned in ad- told them that he was not in a position and trying to remain inconspicuous. vance and was most efficiently executed. to supply them with such a list as his But when the Italians surrendered Hitler’s army was flawless in its planning, duties were purely religious. When the and the German Occupation began, but above all, it was disciplined – even in Germans redoubled their efforts to mis- they were truly afraid. Most left home crime! Only 5 or 6 of the 235 ever came lead him, saying that they merely needed and trade and either took to the moun- home. The round-up was a complete the list for their records, he asked for, tains or moved to remote mountain vil- success! Whole famililes were wiped and was given, two days to draw up the lages. Even so, the Germans left those out: the Cohens, the Misdrachis, the list. During this time many Jews were who remained in Larissa alone and this Taramboulous, the Levis, the Felous... helped to escape from the city, while was enough to encourage those who There remained just a few details others were given false identity docu- had fled to return to their homes. They for the Germans to take care of. They ments with Christian names and their feared becoming refugees. They worried ransacked the wealth of priceless items religion registered as Greek Orthodox. about their shops and their property. in the Synagogue library and were then This was done under Archrabbi Pesah’s

98 guidance, with the full support of Bishop Athens, where he was arrested and sent Joachim, the mayor and the prefect of MASTROGIANNI to the Nazi camps. A young woman, Volos, and with the valuable help of the Rebecca Kapeta, daughter of Markos police, who provided the Jews with false HID THE JEWS and Rachel, aged 20, was captured identity cards. Leaving the town in small OF KARDITSA by E.A.S.A.D. (National Agricultural groups so as not to arouse suspicion, Federation of Anti-Communist Action), they found refuge in the mountain vil- an organisation that collaborated with lages of Pelion, which were controlled the Germans. She was molested and by the resistance. then set free. Having warned his flock about the n 1940, the small Jewish com- After the liberation of Greece in imminent danger, the Archrabbi himself munity of Karditsa numbered October 1944, the Jewish Community also left for the mountain on 1 October 82 persons. Some of them were of Karditsa faced serious financial 1943. The Germans were enraged by merchants, retailers and ped- problems, while the health of children his escape and ransacked his home on Idlers; others were lamp makers, broom was poor owing to the deprivations and the night of 4 October. Shortly after this makers, textile workers, while their hardships of war. A committee was then they demolished the Synagogue. wives were embroiders. There was no established, chaired by David Bonfil, Unfortunately, not all the Jews of Synagogue, no cemetery, and no Rabbi which in cooperation with the Central Volos took the Archrabbi’s warnings se- in the city. Joseph Joseph, a man well Jewish Council of Greece, secured finan- riously and about 100 of them stayed in known for his education, was responsi- cial and other assistance. the town. The Germans left them alone ble for all necessary religious duties, for However in the years that fol- to appease them and persuade some of the memorial services, etc. To celebrate lowed, the number of the Community’s those who had fled to return. Of the 135 important holidays the Jews of Karditsa members kept falling on account of Jews that were arrested in March 1944 used to go to the Synagogue of Trikala. emigration or relocation to Athens, and sent to Poland, 130 were extermi- At Easter time the families gathered in Thessaloniki and other cities. As a result, nated in Auschwitz. Only 5 managed to the houses of relatives to celebrate ac- the Community was declared “inactive” get back. cording to the traditional manners and in 1969. Having endured 14 months of per- customs. In 1992, with the initiative of secution, the Jews started to return to During the 1940 War, six young Jews the Karditsa’s Jews now living in Volos when Greece was liberated in were called up and one of them, Mimis Thessaloniki, the Jewish Community of 1944. Material losses were incalculable Kambelis, was wounded. Thessaloniki honoured Vassilios Lappas and the Volos Community would never The period of the German Occupation and Vassillios Katsoulas for their contri- have managed to get back on its feet had followed and several young Jews joined bution in saving the Jews of Karditsa. it not been for the support and gener- the National Resistance. In September ous contribution of the American Jewish 1943, the German Command asked Joint Distribution Committee and the the Municipality for a list containing THE LOST JEWS Coordinating Instrument of the Jewish the names of all citizens of Jewish faith. Communities of Greece, the Central Mayor Dionyssios Koukourikos, acting OF TRIKALA Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, together with the Director of the City which was established at that time along Hall Vassilios Lappas and in coopera- with the Central Welfare Committee for tion with the interpreter of the Germans the Jewish Poor. The Synagogue, which Vassilios Katsoulas, tried to avoid giving had been ransacked and lay in ruins, was the list to the Nazis. At the same time, n 24 March 1944 German rebuilt, and the Central Welfare Com- in order to save the Jews, they collabo- Nazi troops launched a sav- mittee distributed financial aid, medical rated with the National Resistance and age pogrom on the Jews of care, food and clothing. In addition to supplied Jews with fake identity cards this town as well as on those this, the Foundation for Occupational showing Christian names. Oof other towns in Thessaly. Before dawn Rehabilitation provided merchants and When in October 1943 the Jewish had broken on that horrendous day small manufacturers with loans on fa- persecution began, most of them fled to the whole area where the homes of the vourable terms as well as giving young the village called Mastrogianni (current- Jewish Community were located, known people the chance to study at Ο. R.Τ. ly known as “Amaranto”) on the Agrafa as the Jewish quarter, was cordoned off (Organization for Rehabilitation through mountains. The villagers offered them by large numbers of German troops. All Training) technical school. a safe heaven and shared with them roads leading into the area, G. Kondyli Many of the Jews of Volos decided to the scarce food they had. Some other St., Ploutonos St., G. Karaiskaki St., emigrate, some to Palestine, and some Jews coming from other cities, mainly Socratous St., Athanasios Diakos St., and to the United States of America. But from Thessaloniki, were also hosted in other access roads were blocked with they still keep in touch and have strong Mastrogianni. trucks and makeshift machine gun posts sentimental ties with the place that gave As far as the other Jews of Karditsa had been set up on every street corner. them birth. are concerned, Semah Kapetas fled to German soldiers with automatic weap-

99 ons in their hands broke down the doors ficially pronounced Rabbi Barzilai presi- vor of the Jews. He sent a confidential of houses and dragged out as many Jews dent of the Community. The clash be- circular letter to all the churches, urging as they could find amidst savage shouts tween the two allies concerning Jewish the priests and the faithful to offer every that sounded like dogs barking. They matters, well incited by Rabbi Barzilai, assistance to the persecuted Jews. The piled them into vans which were parked broke into an obvious dispute. The sacrifices that the Christians made in at various points. Italian authorities took specific meas- order to hide and give shelter to Jewish Fortunately, only a few Jews were ac- ures for the protection of the persecuted families are touching. Priests performed tually caught. Most had left town. Some Jews. On the other hand the Nazis in- mixed marriages without being too con- were hiding in nearby villages disguised creased pressure. On 14 July 1942 they cerned on the formalities of conversion as villagers while others had taken to urged ESPO, a Greek “national socialist” and baptizing. So, many Jews decided to the mountains and joined resistance organization to attack the Community. convert to Orthodoxy or Catholicism. groups. Among those who were caught Members of the organization broke in- The Archbishop’s actions reached a were many who had left and stayed away to the Community’s offices, looted and peak through the two famous memoran- for a while, but had eventually returned vandalized. The Italians were notified, da. The first dated 23 March 1943 ad- believing that the Germans would do they arrested the rioters, but under the dressing the Prime Minister of the Greek them no harm. Things turned out very Germans’ pressure they were forced to Government under Occupation, Kon. differently and, in the event, almost all set them free. On 20 September, howev- Logothetopoulos, asking him to medi- of them perished in German extermina- er, an incendiary, which members of the ate to the German Authorities on the tion camps and crematoria. They were, Resistance had dropped, burned down behalf of the Greek people, in order to for the most part, women, children and the building where ESPO was housed. stop the persecution of the Greek Jews. the elderly. Seeing that the end of the The Germans blamed the Jews for this In this memorandum he defended the Occupation was approaching, they had attack and forced the Italians to arrest Jewish presence in the Greek social life. not expected that savage Nazi pogrom. the Community’s leadership. After the He also reminded the Prime Minister of interrogations they were found not guilty the 1941 Treaty of Surrender of Greece and were set free twenty days later. stating that “the occupation authorities THE PERSECUTION The more the Germans tightened have the obligation to protect the honor the reins the more the Jews organized and property of all Greek citizens”, mak- OF THE JEWS IN ATHENS themselves. They formed solidarity and ing no discrimination. (The complete support groups for the refugees from text of the memorandum is published Thessaloniki as well as messes for meals. on another page of this issue). The Italian Authorities became more ac- The second memorandum dated 24 tively interested. So did the Greek ones. March 1943 and having a similar content n 27 April 1941, as soon The state and city Police, under the com- was sent directly to the Plenipotentiary as the Germans entered mand of Angelos Evert, were ordered for Reich Greece, Altenburg. Both mem- Athens, they claimed from to issue fake identity cards to any Jews oranda were also signed by many signif- their Italian allies the exclu- who wished to have them. These identity icant personalities of the Greek public Osive handling of Jewish matters. In spite cards bore Christian names and the re- life. Given the terrorizing conditions of the Italian reaction, they behaved like ligion of the holder was declared Greek inflicted by the SS this action required tyrants, showed complete disregard to Orthodox; they could not be distin- great courage. the Italians, and immediately took over guished from the “real” ones, since they On 8 September 1943 Italy’s sur- Jewish matters. were issued by the same police authori- render became known. The Italian oc- By May 1941 the Nazis seized the ar- ties. They could therefore pass through cupation forces which had followed chives of the Jewish Community. They any German control. Marshal Pietro Badoglio were captured confiscated the rich rabbinical library At the same time, the Archbishop of by the Germans. The Jews of Athens and arrested the major members of Athens and Greece Damaskinos, work- and the provinces lost a precious sup- the Community Council. According to ing with the Director of the rolls of the port. Despite the spies and informers the their well-known policy they hired some municipality of Athens P. Haldezos, took Nazis used, they could see that the Jews Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe care to open a special file where they of Athens were not an easy prey. They who had fled to Athens in the service entered the names of Jews “had been could not arrest them overnight because of the SS. They favored and protected baptized” in order to escape. Thanks to they were hidden in various places. They these individuals in order to turn them this and to the assistance of their fellow therefore launched a perfidious propa- against their Athenian fellow Jews. The citizens 560 Jews of Athens and of vari- ganda. Their rumors aimed at making chief Rabbi Elias Barzilai, in consulta- ous cities who had fled to the capital sur- the Jews become more confident. But tion with Asher Moisis and the other vived until the end of the war pretending they did not succeed. Realizing their leaders confronted them with a spirit of to be Greek Orthodox. failure, on 10 August the Nazis called tolerance. They did not wish to irritate Enlightened and led by Archbishop Dieter Wisliceny from Thessaloniki and the Nazis but they had their plan. Damaskinos, the Greek Orthodox ordered him to arrest and deport to On 1 September 1941 the Italians of- Church also played an active role in fa- Auschwitz all the Jews of Athens and the

100 provinces that had until recently been Unfortunately, about 1,200 Jews up in Haidari too, so that they would under Italian occupation. who conformed to Stroop’s orders include them in the same convoy. The On 21 September Chief Rabbi were found in Athens. Wisliceny was International Red Cross had rushed to Barzilai was called upon to present him- watching as the anguishing Jews were help the prisoners but they were brutally self to Wisliceny. The Jews considered coming hesitant and terrorized to reg- stopped by the infuriated Nazis. this order the outbreak of hostilities. ister. Poverty and despair made these The train was composed of 30 wag- The members of the Community were miserable people unable to continue ons. It started off at 1 p.m. bound for warned to be alert. The Rabbi showed hiding. They arrived with some hope Poland. In Larisa the collection in- up undeterred at the appointment. for they had been promised assist- creased. Another 2,400 prisoners who Wisliceny ordered him to submit, within ance and finding employment. So, one had been arrested in Volos, Triakala 24 hours, a full list of the Jews including month after the establishment of the and mainly Ioannina were added. When those who had fled from Thessaloniki. A new “Elders’ Council” about 2,000 Jews the winding train passed by the station Community Board meeting was called had been registered in the rolls. When of Thessaloniki it contained 5,200 peo- immediately and it was decided that the registration stopped at 2,000 people ple packed in 84 wagons. The morbid they should gain time at all cost. The fol- Wisliceny realized that the great major- journey continued and ended up in the lowing day the Rabbi gave the excuse to ity of Jews had escaped. He did however station of Auschwitz on 10 April. That Wisliceny that the Community’s docu- wish to complete his triumph by arrest- was the place of hell: the suffocating gas ments had been destroyed by ESPO and ing and exterminating even these 2,000. chambers and the crematoria. that he could not write the list. Barzilai’s However, the Ambassador of Germany Only a few Jews who had Spanish statement infuriated Wisliceny who fi- objected, for he thought that Vislitseni’s citizenship was lucky to be transported nally had to give him an extension of 48 methods were obsolete. This terrible to the “transit” camp of Bergen Belsen, hours. Within that time, all Jews were no- persecutor had to be moved out of the to be liberated and arrive in Spain after tified to disappear at once. At nighttime scene. A new policy was necessary in or- endless negotiations between the gov- a group of the Community’s employ- der to attract as many Jews as possible. ernments of Germany and Spain. ees, under the rabbi’s guidance burned He was replaced by Toni Burger who After the end of the War and the re- all the archives, documents and books was in charge of carrying out Himler’s turn of the survivors Athens ended up of the Community. On the same night extermination plans. The informers having more Jews than it did before the all Jewish leaders disappeared. Barzilai helped so that another 200 Jews were war, for many survivors from the wiped himself found shelter at a friends’ home drawn out of their hiding places and out communities in the provinces had in Kolonaki. The lawyer Elias Kefalidis, turned in to the Gestapo. no other choice but to move to Athens in connection to the Resistance, mediated The day of destruction was Friday order to live near their fellow Jews. in order to help the Rabbi escape to the 23 March 1944: the Gestapo suddenly mountains. By 25 September most Jews rounded-up the Synagogue of Athens of Athens had disappeared. and arrested all those present, about 350 THE JEWS OF CHALKIS Two or three days later Wisliceny people, mainly men. At the same time saw that Barzilai had not returned and German trucks captured women and DID NOT FALL INTO THE began to suspect that the Rabbi had de- children from their homes and brought GERMAN TRAP ceived him. He went to the Community them to the Synagogue. About 800 offices and found everything closed. He people were thus assembled. Foreign furiously ordered his men to break in. national were not distinguished. The When he saw the disorder and burned Spanish Ambassador complained in papers he immediately realized what vain. He received the bold reply that ith an uninterrupted had happened. The torturer was en- the arrests were an order from Berlin. history dating back over raged. He returned to his office where The 800 prisoners remained in the 2000 years, the Jewish he dictated to General Jürgen Stroop an Synagogue with no food or water until Community of Chalkis order in which he called upon all Jews to Saturday after sunset. Then, they were Wis one of the oldest in Greece. return to their permanent residences at transported in closed trucks to Haidari When War was declared in October once. He gave them five days to show up where they joined the other Jews who 1940, there were 325 people in the com- at the Community offices and register, had been arrested earlier on. Once there, munity. Their relations with the other declaring their addresses. He threat- the unfortunate prisoners suffered the residents of Chalkis were excellent and ened to have executed anyone who did habitual beatings, humiliation and mis- religious fanaticism was never a prob- not conform, while he established a treatment. lem, especially after the arrival of Bishop new Community Council, “The Elders’ On Sunday 2 April, the Jewish prison- Gregorios in 1923. In the 1940 war, the Council”. He called the attention of the ers including the foreign nationals were small Jewish Community of Chalkis had Greek police authorities to have the or- transported to Rouf station in closed the great honour of one of its very own der precisely carried out, imposing se- trucks. In the meantime the Nazis had sons, Colonel Mordochai Frizis, being vere punishment to any Athenians who arrested 1,200 Jews from Preveza, Arta, among the first Greek officers to fall in dared hide Jews or help them escape. Agrinio and Patra. They had locked them the fighting.

101 When the front line broke in 1941, sanctuary of his own home. When the in Agrinio nothing would happen to the there immediately arose concern about war was over he returned them to the Jews. This suggestive implication should the fate of the town’s Jewish population. Community along with a gift of a rare make them suspicious. However no one News about conditions for Jews in oc- 15th century manuscript, whose sub- was worried. They all obeyed and for- cupied Europe was extremely bad and ject matter was the Jews, to help re- got about this small incident without what fate awaited them was uncertain. establish the Community’s ransacked speculating the secret meaning of these The fact that Chalkis came under Italian library. words. administration bolstered their hopes, as A marble plaque in the wall of the Compared to other cities, by 1943 the Italian form of facism did not seek to Jewish Community of Chalkis’ office Agrinio had sent the greatest share of persecute Jews as the Nazis’ did, and the building bears witness to the Jews’ grati- guerrillas to ELAS. The spirit of resist- Italian Military Commander of Greece, tude to this great Bishop. ance was very vivid in the area. In April General Carlo Geloso, had declared that Thus it was that the Community 1943 they found out about the deporta- he would not harm them. of Chalkis suffered the loss of only 18 tion of the Jews in Thessaloniki and real- But when Italy capitulated in members – one person was executed ized that the same fate awaited them. September 1943 everything changed. with other patriots on 24th March 1944 • Italy surrendered in 1943. German The threat to the Jews immediately in a German act of retaliation, and 17 troops entered Agrinio in order to re- loomed large and terrifying. The whole of the 90 who had taken refuge in sur- place the Italian garrisons. The mem- of Euboea, like the rest of occupied rounding villages were caught during bers of the Resistance tried to collect as Greece, was to come under German ju- German clean-up operations. These 17 much ammunition as possible from the risdiction. were sent to Germany on 2 April. Some Italians, and the Germans did not pre- EAM, the National Liberation succumbed to hardships suffered; others vent this. On 8 October 1943 the Greek Front, anticipated the danger that the were exterminated in camps and crema- newspapers published the following in- Jews would be in once substantial re- toria. A few were fortunate enough to structions: inforcements reached the German gar- survive and return; all of them bearing • All Jews residing in German occu- rison at Chalkis. In an announcement it an indelible concentration camp number pied areas must return with no delay to circulated shortly after the Italian sur- on their bodies. their permanent residence where they render, the National Liberation Front’s Some of those who had fled to the lived before 1 June 1943. Prefectural Committee of Euboea called villages of Euboea played an active role • Jews are forbidden to leave or upon the people of Chalkis and Euboea in the Resistance. They joined EAM (The change their residence. to do everything they could to help National Liberation Front), EPON (The • Within 5 days Jews who live in their Jewish fellow citizens. National United Panhelladic Youth Organization) Athens and its suburbs must show up Solidarity also made an urgent appeal or ELAS (The Greek People’s Liberation at the religious community of Athens in its newspaper ‘Matomeni Euboea’, Army). and be registered. In the areas outside which circulated in Chalkis. Further- From time to time yet others left Athens this must be done at the Greek more, the National Liberation Front from Tsakaioi village for Tel Aviv in civil services and communities. contacted the Jewish Community with the Middle East. Some of these people • Any Jews who do not comply with a view to coordinating efforts. The Front came back, but some stayed and settled this order will be executed. Any non- proposed the immediate evacuation of in their new home, Israel. Jews hiding Jews, provide them shelter Jews from Chalkis and their transport to or assist them to escape will be sent to resistance controlled villages in Euboea. concentration camps or will be punished The Community took the proposal on THE JEWS OF PATRAS even more severely. board and started moving people out. • Jews of foreign nationality must Police officials, Lieutenant (at that time) AND AGRINIO FLED show up at the Jewish Community of Economides and a few others, helped in TO THE MOUNTAINS Athens on 18 October at 8:00 a.m. to this by issuing Jews with false identifi- submit their passports. Outside Athens cation documents in Christian names. this must be done at the local Greek au- Even so, with informers collaborating thorities. with them, it was not too hard for the • The religious Jewish Community Germans to locate the few Jews that re- fter its surrender in 1941, of Athens is authorized as the only rep- mained in the city, along with the Rabbi. Agrinio came under the resentative of all Jews in Greece. It must, They were all arrested and imprisoned, Italian zone of occupation. with no delay, appoint a committee of but were released shortly before libera- The Germans’ anti-Semitic adults and begin its function. tion day. Alaws were not applied. It is characteris- • After registration all male Jews Bishop Gregorios, whose name will tic that in 1942 the heads of the Jewish over the age of 14 must show up every never be forgotten, set a fine example families were asked to show up at the other day at the above offices. with his bravery. He risked life and Italian Police and give their details. The • Jews are forbidden to circulate out- limb by offering to preserve the Syna- Italian sergeant in charge assured eve- doors between 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. gogue’s six Sefer Torah cylinders in the ryone that as long as the Italians were • The Greek Police has received or-

102 ders to supervise the obedience of the ing the barely awakened and scared to a Christian woman tried to comfort a above orders and to arrest any Jews who death Jews to take one bag with them Jewish friend of hers, she was immedi- do not obey or anyone helping them ig- containing whatever was necessary and ately arrested and would not be set free nore this order. their jewelery. The ones living outside unless she showed the Germans her • The above order concerns the Jews the castle were ordered to gather at the cross, in other words the evidence that who are at least third generation of the pier, in Mavili square, while the ones liv- she was a Christian.” The young boy also Jewish race, regardless of what their re- ing within the castle were ordered to as- spoke about three of his Jewish play- ligion is today. semble in a specific place. The German mates: “When the lorries passed in front When this order was published in lorries were ready; their engines were of my house, my friends saw me standing Agrinio, the Germans found no Jew on. on the balcony and started shouting ‘You ready to obey to their orders, for they When the first light came out, it was can be jealous now – we are going for (the Jews) had fled to the mountains. a snowy morning, the German gath- a long car ride …’”. These carefree souls Therefore, the Community of Agrinio ered all Jews, put them on the lorries could have never imagined that they holds a unique position of Resistance and drove them through the market. would pay for the ride with their own among the Jewish communities of oc- At that time, the people of Ioannina, lives and that they would never see again cupied Europe. It is the only community who were going to church to celebrate their homes, their neighbourhoods and where not even one member was regis- Evangelismos, witnessed the horrible their friends. tered in the Germans’ lists, nor was de- scenes. They stood speechless on the The first stop was Larissa. Only a ported to the crematoria. On 23 October pavements, questions and pain in their few – ten to be exact – managed to es- 1943 the German Ambassador in Patra eyes. They were looking at their fellow cape and take refuge in the Resistance sent the following note to the German Jewish neighbours standing on the lor- groups. In Larissa, the Germans shaved ambassador in Athens, concerning the ries, one very close to the other to pro- the heads of Jews and took all their jew- Jews of Agrinio: “I have the honor to re- tect themselves from the cold. And when elery. Then they boarded them on trains port to you submissively that, after the the Jews were spotting a Christian friend having the concentration camps as their announcement through the press of the of theirs, they had one thing to ask for: destination. Barbarism at its full extent. order on the obligatory registration of “Brother, take care of my house”. 1850 people perished in the German the Jews, the latter have disappeared. It The lorries departed for the trip camps including old people, young peo- is said that they fled to the mountains.” with no return, to the crematoria of ple and children. Only 163 of them re- The reaction of the Jews in Patra was Auschwitz and Birkenau. turned - having a number on their hand similar. However, in Patra, due to the The events in Thessaloniki, where as the sign of identification. Auschwitz fact that certain local residents collabo- Jews were also gathered by the Nazis, and Birkenau were forever engraved in rated, the Germans succeeded to arrest had taken place a year earlier (1943). It is their souls. and deport 213 members of the Jewish surprising how the Jews of Ioannina had Today, only few Romaniot Jews live Community, of whom 152 survived and not been informed of the fate of the Jews in “our small town”. They are less than returned to the city. of Thessaloniki. Or, if it had been known, fifty. The large and prosperous (before why they did nothing. They made no ef- the Holocaust) Jewish Community of fort to leave the city and hide. Which Ioannina has been decimated. IOANNINA, 25 MARCH 1944: force drugged them? THE DAY The tragic elimination of the Jews of Ioannina was the result of the two-faced PREVEZA OF THE ELIMINATION attitude shown by the Germans as well OF THE ROMANIOT as of some members of the Community’s JEWISH COMMUNITY leadership, who would believe in any- thing. They had persuaded their fellow he history of the Jewish OF IOANNINA Jews that they were not at risk for as long Community of Preveza as they did not provoke the Germans is relatively short. The and they were satisfying their demands Community was founded for money and other valuables. Tin 1881 and consisted mainly of Jewish A young boy, who was only six at merchants from Arta. Most of them he 25th of March 1944 the time and lived outside the castle, carried on their occupation as mer- was the fatal day for the watched from the balcony of his house chants in Preveza too and traded pri- Romaniot Jewish Community (it had a view at the pier) the Jews who marily in textiles and haberdashery. of Ioannina. Even before had been assembled in the Mavili square. The Community had its own school dawn,T the Germans had spread out in He recounted the following that had for- and Synagogue, and the Jewish cem- the Jewish neighbourhoods of the city, ever registered in his memory: “If a Jew etery lay just a short distance outside in the so called “ovraika” and the castle, set his foot down from the pavement, town. where many Jewish families lived. They the guard would rush towards him and Most of the town’s Jewish popula- were bagging at the front doors, ask- break it with his rifle stock. And when tion lived in one particular area, but

103 there were also a number of Jewish city, in Tourkopazaro next to the Citadel, since nothing but memories have re- homes here and there in other parts in the “Jewish Quarter”. mained of the once flourishing Jewish of town. Relations with the Christian In 1941, however, the Italian Community. residents of the town were always good; Occupation began. As long as it lasted, On 4 July 2004 the Municipality Jews and Christians traded with one its relations with the authorities were of Arta constructed and unveiled another and when Jewish children had good and the Jews’ lives continued al- a Memorial for the victims of the completed their studies at the Jewish most normally. When Italy surrendered Holocaust in the memory of its lost primary school, they went to Preveza in September 1943 Arta also came un- citizens. Secondary School which served the der the German occupation. The fate of whole population. the Jews of the city was now to follow Alas, their fate was not to be any dif- that of their other fellow Jews who had NAZI PERSECUTION ferent from that of others of their faith been arrested. A special delegation of in Ipirus. As in Ioannina, so in Preveza. the Gestapo arrived to the city and ob- OF JEWS FROM CORFU The 25 March 1944 marked the end of tained from the Municipality a list of the the small but flourishing community. names of the Jewish residents and their It was shortly before dawn when the addresses. Germans woke the Jews up by banging On the night of 24 March 1944 they loudly on their doors and windows. besieged the Jewish quarter of Arta and n the eve of the war the They told them to get dressed, pack a arrested most of the members of the Jewish Community of few basic necessities and come out into Jewish Community, which at the time Corfu numbered ap- the street. As they stood in the street, numbered 384 persons. proximately two thousand day was just breaking. The German All those arrested were led na- Osouls. For the most part they lived in trucks stood outside the Court Building ked and barefoot, not even allowed to the narrow streets of a real ghetto dat- waiting for their human cargo. The take money or food with them, to the ing back over five hundred years. In this weeping Jews climbed onto the trucks movie theater “Orpheus”. On the fol- area there were four synagogues for to begin their long journey – a jour- lowing day they were deported by train the faithful to attend. Known as Little ney which, for most, had no return. Of to the concentration camps of Poland Palestine on account of its ideal climate, those 250 souls, 235 met a horrible end and Germany, mainly to Auschwitz. Corfu had become home to many Jews in Nazi extermination camps. A mere Once there, the selection took place fleeing from mainland Greece. 15 survived. and those considered able to work were Germans occupied the island on 27 After the War, when there was no sent to various work camps, while the September 1943. Since then the island’s Community left to defend the Jewish remaining were massively exterminated Jews suffered every form of vicissitude cemetery, the land was appropriated in gas chambers on 11 April 1944. Out – the whole horror of oppression. They and a large part of the cemetery totally of the 380 members of the Community were subjected to every form of humili- destroyed. The small part that remained who were deported to Germany only 30 ation, every insult, every degradation. intact was eventually given to Preveza returned. These and a few more people The Germans schemed this way and Municipality who, in turn, gave it to IKA who had escaped formed the new Jewish that to humiliate the most respected (Social Security Organization) to be Community of Arta. figures. Archrabbi Jacob Nahamia was used as the site of their new office and In Kanari Konstandines’ report, forced to stand at the door of the bath- services building. As part of the com- immediately after the Holocaust, as far room while the German commanding memoration of the town’s Jewish popu- as the Jewish Community of Arta was officer took his daily bath. He had to lation on 10 and 11 November 2001, a concerned, it is mentioned that the respectfully hold the commander’s marble plaque was unveiled on the wall post war population was 58 people, 24 shoes and pipe and give them to him of the IKA building as a reminder of the of whom had returned from the camps. when he had finished his ostentatious erstwhile Jewish Community and its In addition, “Poulieza” Synagogue which routine. The Nazis were very fond of tragic end. contained a significant library was humiliating people this way. completely destroyed, while “Greca” Even so, the annihilation of the Synagogue was in a bad condition. In Jews of Corfu did not take place at the ONLY THE MEMORY the cemetery, in Peranthi hill, no grave same time as that of others of their remained standing. The remains of a faith in mainland Greece. It came two REMAINS IN ARTA semi-destroyed grave were the only months later. The two Rekanati trai- sign that the Jewish cemetery was once tors arrived on the island and served there. as the Germans’ guides. On 7 June The new conditions that prevailed 1944, although the Allies were enter- he Jews of Arta were mainly after the war and the establishment ing Rome in triumph, the Gestapo merchants. Before 1940 (1939 of the State of Israel contributed to showed no intention of laying down census) about 500 Jews lived the departure of the remaining Jewish their arms. So the killing machine Tin Arta at the center of the families from the city of Arta and ever went to work on Corfu. Notices went 104 up everywhere saying, ‘All Jews who by a small ship. The convoy made a port was like a taboo. They were overtaken are out of town must return to their stop at Lefkas. The islanders showed by a genuine sense of sacred awe. homes by 8 June’. the prisoners deep sympathy, and great Those Jews of Corfu who did come At 5 o’clock in the morning on solidarity. They ran from everywhere back from Poland tell of how, at one Friday 9 June SS personnel knocked bringing soup, bread, different fish and point, a hundred or so of those in the vehemently on every Jewish door. lots of fruit. The Germans were taken ranks of the labourers were taken out Everyone – men, women, children, aback. A priest approached one of the and sent to the crematorium. Their the old, the disabled, the sick and even prisoners and offered him a cigarette. number was swelled by a group of the dying – was told to go to Plateia A German soldier who was watching, Gypsies, who shared the same fate. The Stratou. No exceptions. They were stamped on the cigarette with his boot, doomed walked towards the gas cham- all quick to obey. At 6 o’clock in the forced the Jew to his knees, held a pistol bers in orderly fashion, singing as they morning SS personnel and Greek po- to his neck and shot him. went. They were fully aware of what lay lice surrounded the crowd of Jews that The uprooted Jews stayed on Lefkas in store for them and were prepared to had been violently forced to gather in for two days. In Patras, where they accept their fate with little resistance. the vast square. were taken next, the Red Cross sup- Suddenly the guards received new or- At 9 o’clock the air raid sirens went plied them with food and medicine. A ders. About turn. Everyone back to the off. Allied planes were flying over the small ship then took them to Piraeus. camp. So some of the Jews of Corfu had town. Acting on their instincts the On disembarking they were savagely a last minute escape from the horror of Jews asked to be taken to shelter. The whipped by the SS, supposedly for not the German crematoria. guards fired over their heads and told telling the German officers – who were them to stay where they were. When dressed in civies – everything they the danger was over a German officer should have. Their pockets were me- THE TRAGIC END assisted by an interpreter read the roll thodically searched and anything left call of families. Immediately after this hidden there removed. They were kept OF THE JEWISH the prisoners were locked up in the old in Haidari for a few days. On 20 June COMMUNITY castle by the square, in most squalid, they were taken to Larissis railway sta- OF RHODES cramped conditions. One by one they tion and piled like animals into filthy were called, on pain of death, to deposit freight cars – as many as seventy peo- whatever they had on their persons, i.e. ple in each one. Other Jewish prisoners, bank notes, gold, scissors, razor blades, 575 souls in all, who had been kept in tobacco and such like, in specially pre- the same terrible conditions in Haidari, pared suitcases. The Germans used the were added to the 1,800 prisoners from rom September 1943 until July keys to their homes and took whatever Corfu. The only supplies thrown into 1944, while the Germans were furniture they liked. Anything left over the wagons for their jouney were a few arresting and displacing Jews all was then sold at auction. parcels of onions and beet. They were over Greece, no measures were The appointed mayor, who was not even given any water. Ftaken against the Jews living in Rhodes. head of Corfu Corporation, expressed The convoy arrived in Auschwitz This eased their initial fears and gave to his satisfaction. In a short speech he on 29 June at 11.30 in the evening. the members of the Jewish Community gave at the time he said, among other The selection process began as soon the false impression of peace and hope things, ‘Our great friends the Germans as they got off the train. They were that nothing serious was going to hap- have cleaned up our island of the Jewish asked their age and occupation. The pen to them. Only a few young Jews, riffraff. From now on we will be able to Germans needed labourers and risking their lives, dared to escape in enjoy the fruits of our fields ourselves’. wanted to make use of these human shaky boats to the Turkish coasts. The About two hundred people, main- resources. So they did not send all rest waited and hoped. Their major ly women, managed to flee to inland their prisoners blindfolded to the cre- concern was the continuous air bom- villages. On 11 June three hundred matoria, but excepted a few groups barding by the Allies, which although women were piled onto barges towed chosen at random here and there. aimed at the port, had caused consid- by a motor boat. And oh irony of iro- Two hundred people from Corfu erable damage and had cost the lives of nies! Midwives were sent to accompany were sent for delousing and showers, many civilians. them so as to help if any should go into and then put to work in factories, on In the meanwhile, the Nazis were labour and give birth on the way. The roads and such like. One thousand six preparing their criminal plan for the convoy set sail for the coast of Ipirus hundred were sent straight to the cre- displacement and the elimination of and, after arriving in Igoumenitsa, went matoria. The team of Greek Jews who the Jews. In mid-July 1944, the German on to Athens by truck. worked on the furnaces, the so-called Command ordered the Jews to reside On 14 June another group, consist- Judecommandos, never laid a finger solely with the confines of the city of ing of the island’s entire male Jewish on the bodies of those from Corfu. Rhodes or in the villages of Trianta, population and the rest of the women, Neither did they touch anything that Kremasti and Villanova (now known as were piled onto pairs of barges towed they may still have had with them. It Paradisi). These were the places were

105 they had fled in order to escape the their wedding rings. At the slightest The Germans in an apparent attempt bombardments, in a distant no more hesitation, they would kick and beat to break their morale were beating than twelve kilometers from the city. them and threaten that they would men, women and children sometimes A few days later, on 18 July, a German execute them. The Germans threw to death. During the three days of their officer turned up at the house of the gathered everything into the large stay in the Haidari camp, another ten of President of the Jewish Community and bags that they had brought with them. the Jews of Rhodes died. told him that, according to the orders Immediately afterwards, they forced On 3 August, after having extract- of the German Commander, all Jewish them to the basement of the building, ed their gold teeth and glasses, the men over 16 had to appear the following where they left them without any food. Germans led the Jews in animal wagons. morning in the old headquarters of the In the meantime, the Germans had They put 65 persons in each wagon and Italian air force. They had to bring with plundered the houses of the Jews that sealed the doors. It was the last “con- them their identity cards and their work had been hastingly deserted. The Italian signment” of Jews from Greece. The permits. This trick made everyone be- High Command was forced to issue an trip to Poland lasted 13 days. About 100 lieve that they would be gathered to be order according to which all Jewish real people died during the trip and their sent to forced labour. In the next morn- estate and assets were confiscated in fa- bodies were thrown in the fields along ing they were all there. Two SS officers, vour of the Italian State. the rail lines. They arrived in Auschwitz who were sent from the “Rosenberg The order for the departure came on 16 August and, after the horrible “se- Command” in Athens, walked into the at noon of Sunday 23 July. An endless lection” procedure, 1,200 persons, who room accompanied by an interpreter queue of Jews set off. They were more were those judged too weak to work, who was speaking Spanish-Jewish. than 1,600 men, women, children and were immediately sent to the gas cham- With the brutality that characterized elderly. Some were dragging their sad bers and the crematoria. The rest were them, and with the worst threatening, belongings, others were carrying them sent to forced labour in quarries, in coal they grabbed the documents from the on their backs. For the weakest ones, mines and in the railways. The women hands of the Jews gathered in the room, even this was difficult and they had to were raped, sterilized and used in inhu- leaving them wonder what was going to leave behind even the few of their be- man experiments, with no mercy. happen. They assigned the President of longings they had hoped to save. Some Despite their short stay in the camp, the Community the task to inform the were not walking fast enough. The most died of the hardships, weakness women that they had to join their hus- guards, who were following the file and diseases. Out of the 1,700 Jews of bands within 24 hours, otherwise they accompanied by wild Alsatians, were Rhodes, only 150 survived: 120 women would be shot. They also had to carry beating them with their rifle stocks. and 30 men. Even after their liberation with them all their belongings: jewelry, Heads down, they passed through the by the Allied forces, many of them died gold sovereigns, banknotes, a few per- city; they were forbidden even to look. of exhaustion as they had become living sonal items and food. The streets were empty as the Germans skeletons. In the confusion that ensued, and had sounded the alarm for air attacks. in their ignorance, the women could do Once they arrived at the port, they were nothing more but to obey the order. On thrown in three vary old cargo carriers THE HARROWING 20 July, almost all the Jews of Rhodes (they used to carry coal). The presence (men, women children, infants, old of Jews on the island, which dated many ARREST people, sick people and handicapped centuries back, ended on that sad day of OF THE JEWS OF KOS persons) had been captured and were the summer of 1944. ON 23rd JULY 1944 held in this improvised concentration The course to Piraeus was horrible. camp. The satanic plan of the Nazis was It was terribly hot and the vessels were proceeding. so full that those in the cargo hauls could At this point one should mention not go up even to get some air. Seven the humanitarian stance shown by the persons died in the course of the voyage n 1912 the Italians occupied the Turkish consul, Selahettin Ulkumen, and their bodies were thrown in the sea. Dodecanese. Jews from Anatolia who intervened to save not only They arrived at the port of Piraeus on 31 had settled on the islands of Kos Turkish nationals but whole families as July 1944 and were immediately taken and Rhodes between 1918-1923 well, even at the remotest proof of their to Haidari, where they were ruthlessly Iand shortly before World War II the Turkish citizenship. He managed to save humiliated. The Red Cross was not al- Community numbered 166 people. from the Nazis approximately 40 Jews lowed to give hem food and water until Some emigrated to South America who would have otherwise been led to 36 hours after their arrival. The women and South Africa. Most stayed on the death. For his acts, he was awarded after were taken away from the men. They island. The Italians left them in peace the War the title of “Righteous among were stripped in the most barbaric way and they prospered as merchants deal- the Nations” by Yad Vashem. to make sure that they had no more jew- ing in textiles, foodstuffs, haberdashery, The Germans started, with immense elry on them. Those women who, out of and other such goods, as well as export- brutality, taking everything from the shame, tried to hide their nudity were ing currants and raisins to Egypt and Jews: the jewelry of the women, even slammed on the face without mercy. Europe.

106 The Germans occupied the island ing are to be avoided during arrest. in charge that among those arrested on 3 October 1943 and a time of ter- Furthermore, every possible precau- there were several Turkish nationals ror and barbarity began. The following tion should be taken to avoid harm- and that this should be looked into. summer one more atrocious event was ing the residents’ attitude towards us. He informed Major Müller, who or- to be added to the long list of trials. Jews who are Turkish nationals are dered all Jews to be taken to the court- The harrowing arrest, transport and exempt’. room in the Civic Hall where their files eventual extermination of the Jews There followed a meeting in Kos would be looked into. So it was that at of Kos at the Auschwitz concentra- Town Hall attended by the military 9 o’clock in the morning on Tuesday tion camp. Twice in the month of commander of the island Colonel Ruf 25 July the Chief of the German Police June 1944 the German military com- and his interpreter Kolmann, the com- arrived in the courtroom and began mander of the island, Colonel Ruf (an manding officer of the 10th Battalion reading the list of Jewish names. First anti-Nazi of Austrian descent) asked which was posted in the town of Kos, he read the names of the six who were the Italian chief of police Lieutenant Major Müller and the commanding genuine Turkish nationals. But when Dante Zucchelli (an anti-facist secretly officer of the German Military Police he reached the names of the others co-operating with allied intelligence, on the part of the Germans. On the that Zucchelli had included in the list, who was actually married to a Greek part of the Italians the meeting was at- intending to supply them with false woman from Kos) the awful question tended by Delegato (civilian governor passports, there were panic stricken of whether there was anywhere on of Kos), Carlo Giannazzi, Podestá (the cries from some young girls who pro- the island that could serve as a suit- town’s appointed mayor), Luigi Pistone, tested, ‘All or none!’ The German lost able holding place in the likely event and Chief of Police, Lieutenant Dante his temper and stalked out of the room of a round-up of the Jewish popula- Zucchelli. During the meeting Colonel saying, ‘Enough! The six are free to go. tion. The answer he received was that Ruf informed those present that the The rest stay here’. Zucchelli went up ‘a place would be found’. It was as if order to round up the Jews had arrived to him and advised him to think care- Colonel Ruf was warning the island’s and told Major Müller to make the ar- fully before making such a decision unsuspecting Jews of the fury that rests and gather the Jews in the Civic because it might prove mistaken. The would soon be unleashed against them, Hall. He also told Zucchelli not to ham- German answered that the final deci- because Lieutenant Dante Zucchelli per the arrests, and Gianazzi to provide sion was down to Major Müller. Every wasted no time in informing Haim food for the detainees until he received attempt Zucchelli made to see Major Menase, the president of the Jewish further orders. Müller was in vain. The German ma- Community, pointing out what a ter- So everything was in the hands of jor had already decided the fate of the rible position those of his faith were the cruel Major Müller, who began the Jews of Kos. He would let the six go in and suggesting that they leave the arrest of Jews at 3 pm by raiding homes, but the other 98 were to be taken to island as soon as possible to save their cinemas, and anywhere frequented by Auschwitz. lives. Zucchelli had already decided to Jews, in or out of town. All in all 104 So in the afternoon of Tuesday 25 issue the Jews with false documents people were arrested and taken to the July the Jews walked the 300 metres showing that they were Turkish na- Civic Hall in a state of fear. There they from the Civic Hall to the harbour, tionals in the hope of saving as many were body-searched and obliged to one behind the other, heads bowed as possible. (Turkey had not come into hand over their jewellery. The islanders and devastated, escorted by a mili- the war against Germany and its neu- were only allowed to bring them food tary guard. The frightened islanders tral status afforded its subjects some and a few blankets. watched their slow, reluctant progress protection against occupying forces). Their homes, furniture, household from a distance, unable to help or even On Sunday 23 July 1944 the follow- goods and jewellery, as well as their say goodbye. They did not know where ing telegram was sent to Kos by the shops stocked with fabrics and other they were being taken or what fate lay in German Administration of the Police goods were locked up by the Germans store for them. The Jews were piled on- and Security Forces of Greece: ‘The and the doors sealed with notices on to a cargo ship bound for Samos, where Chief of Police and Security of Greece them prohibiting entrance on pain of there were more ships full of Jews from intends to deport Jews from the island. death. All the Jews’ chattels passed into Rhodes. They were all sent to Piraeus The military authorities are expected German and Italian hands. together and from there were taken by to lend the secret police their support Zucchelli worked all Sunday night rail to the gas chambers of Auschwitz. so as to expedite this (deportation). and Monday night to make documents It should be pointed out that the mass All Jews, irrespective of sex or age, are showing that many of the Jews were despatch of Jews from Rhodes and Kos to be arrested and prepared for trans- Turkish nationals so as to save them. was one of the last to that place of mar- port. Deportation will be by sea. They There were already six Turkish nation- tydom. The German commanding of- may take only blankets and food with als among them: Julietta wife of Mois ficer Colonel Ruf left Kos a month later. them as space available on the means Menase, Kantie wife of Alberto Franco, He was replaced by Major Heinemeier, of transport is insufficient. All Jewish a lady named Giboul and three more who handed the island over to the Holy owned property is forfeit to the state whose names are not known. Zucchelli Company and the British allies on 8 of Italy. Looting, beating and shoot- pointed out to the German policeman March 1945.

107 June, 340 Jews together with 48 Greeks ZANTE – THE ISLAND CHANIA: of the resistance and 112 Italians who supported the Allies were forced to em- OF THE RIGHTEOUS DROWNED IN HISTORY bark from the port of Suda on the fa- tal cargo steamship. This vessel, which had the name “Hollywood” when it was registered in England in 1907, had his name changed to “Tanais” when it came hile the German perse- t the eve of the World War to Greek hands. cutions and displace- II, the Jews of Crete were not After the sun had set, it sailed fol- ments of Jews were more than 400 persons, most lowing the policy of night sail. Two small carried out with great of whom were immigrants of pursuit vessels and the equipped sailing effectW all over Greece, Zante consti- Athe second or third generation. vessel “Hera” accompanied it. Their des- tuted the only exception. Two brave When the Nazis set foot in Greece, tination was the port of Piraeus. men, Bishop Chrisostomos Dimitriou some Jewish families living in conti- The sailing time of the convoy is es- and the Mayor of Zante, Loukas Karrer, nental Greece moved to Chania, as timated at 8:32 pm. The course followed achieved something unimaginable: they they thought that Crete would be safer. by the convoy was northbound and ap- risked their own lives and managed to However, when the Germans con- parently its direction was towards the protect all Jews living in Zante so that quered Crete, they shot the eight Jews strait between Thira and Fologandros. they would not have the same fate as the of Heraclion that they met. Before that Had it reached that spot, it would have other Greek Jews. they had bombed the historic Synagogue turned northwest and sailing through At the end of 1943, the German of the city. The cemeteries of Heraclion, the islands of South Cyclades it would Governor of Zante, Berenz, called the Chania and Rethymnon were pillaged have taken a course towards the final Mayor in his office and, under the threat and destroyed. The few tombstones that destination, Piraeus. of a gun, demanded a list with the names exist today have been “saved” owing to The British submarine Vivid spotted of all the Jews living on the island. The the “aesthetic inventiveness” of the steamship “Tanais” at 2:31 am on 9 June, Mayor and the Bishop realizing the true Nazis, who used tombstones in order to when the convoy had entered its patrol meaning of this demand, tried to gain make fortifications. zone. That night the sea was calm. The some time. However, the Governor stood Early in the morning of 20 May 1944, submarine came to the correct attack in his position, because he had taken the following order – written in Greek angle at 3:12 am. It is estimated that its his orders from the General Command. - was delivered to all Jewish homes: “In distance from the target was 2,000 to After giving the matter serious thought, order to be transferred, you must pre- 2,700 meters. Being at periscope depth, and while they were in grave danger, the pare for immediate departure together it fired four torpedoes and immediately two men took the brave decision to sub- with all the members of your family be- submerged to 80 feet (24,38 meters). mit a list containing only two names: the longing tothe Jewish faith. You and your Two minutes latter, two of the torpedoes Bishop of Zante Chrisostomos and the relatives must take with you: hit the vessel and an equal number of Mayor of Zante Loukas Karrer. a) All your personal documents explosions were heard. The German Commander was b) All your jewelry and other valuables At that time, “Tanais” was 23 miles speechless. Bishop Chrisostomos wrote c) Documents showing bank credit, par- northeast of Heraclion. In the next 45 min- a letter addressed to Hitler himself by ticipation in economic enterprises, utes another four blasts were heard and which he took full responsibility for the real estate, etc. the vessel sank, taking with it hundreds of behaviour of the Jews living on the is- d) Blankets, dresses, clothing as well as human lives. The spot that was to become land. The two documents were send to food for several days. The total weight the tomb of so many innocent victims is at the General Command, where they must of your belongings must not exceed 35 53’ north and 25 11’ east of the Cretan have made quite an impression since the 50 kilos”. Sea. Steamship “Tanais” lies at the bottom order to arrest all Jews was revoked. On the night of 20 May 1944, 314 of the sea, at a depth of 1858 meters. However, in order to be prepared Jews were arrested in Chania and 26 in After the Holocaust, only a few for the worst, the Jews of Zante left Heraclion. They were kept in the Agya Jews returned to the island. In 1956, the city and were scattered to the vil- prison until 3 June. The following day there were only two Jewish families lages, where they hid in the houses of they were transferred by military ve- in Chania. As the years went by, none Christian families, which also took care hicles to Heraclion, where they were was left. A visitor wishing to find traces of their daily needs. Thanks to the influ- kept in the prison of the Makasi fort. It of the Jewish presence when wander- ence, the courage and the determination is rumored that only two Jews escaped ing around the island will probably get of the two leaders of the island and the arrest, because they were hidden by vil- disappointed. The only exception is local population, all 275 Jews of Zante lagers in Kissamos. the Synagogue of Chania, which was survived a war which, in many other Cretans stood by their fellow citizens restored in 1999. Since then, it is open regions, eliminated the totality of the in any way they could. But the Nazis had during the Jewish holidays but mainly it Jewish element. the upper hand. In the afternoon of 7 operates as a cultural centre.

108 ESSAYS & TEXTS ON THE PERSECUTION

Resolution of the Academy of Athens on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Holocaust of Greek Jews

Th e Academy of Athens shares fully the feelings the innocent victims and declares its opposition to all of horror and abhorrence experienced by the whole forms of intolerance, to every form of discrimination, nation in memory of the unjust annihilation of based on the religion or the race of the individual; a thousands of Greek Jewish citizens and millions of their discrimination which totally is in opposition with the correligionists of Europe, under the hitlerian regime. democratic and human principles and traditions of the Th e genocide of the Jews by the nazi forces was one Greek people. of the most barbaric crimes in world history and is Athens, 26 April 1984 condemned by the conscience of every human being. Th e Academy of Athens honours the memory of THE ACADEMY OF ATHENS IN MEMORY OF THE HOLOCAUST OF GREEK JEWRY

On Th ursday 28th April 1984 the Academy of Athens, the highest intellectual institution in Greece, marked the Holocaust Day of Greek Jewry with a special ceremony.

in the history of the 20th century. It is very sad that the 20th Introduction century, which had dawned with so many hopes for humanity, By already in its very fi rst decades revealed two instances of grave George Michaelidis - Nouaros barbarism and criminality. First, the genocide of Armenians President of the Academy of Athens by the Turks in 1915. Second, seven years later in 1922, the destruction of the Greek population in Minor Asia again by t is with great emotion that I have accepted the invitation the Turks. However, the annihilation of more than six million of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece Israelites in Europe was an even darker page. Without any to participate in tonight’s pious remembrance for the reason, expect their Jewish origins, they suff ered in the Nazi forty years of the Holocaust of Greek Jews. In my ca- concentration camps a death of ordeal and torment through Ipacity as President of the Academy of Athens but also as an methods that were not only unprecedented in malice but also ordinary citizen, I would like to express the deep sorrow and terrifying in inhumanity. the indignation that all Greeks have felt and still feel for the In modern Greece, Israelites, who had settled in diff erent inconceivable suff ering, the degradation and the annihilation parts of the country many centuries ago, have been living of many thousands of Greek Israelites and of many millions and still live in harmony with their Christian fellow citizens of Jews living in other European countries. Th is annihilation and they have contributed and still contribute signifi cantly to can only lead to revulsion and constitute an indelible shame the welfare and the advancement of society. Being as it were

109 good citizens, Greek Israelites participated in the liberation intellectual and professional organisations, they all made struggle and in the defense wars of our country. They offered strong representations to the occupation authorities calling their sweat and blood for the defense and for the advancement for the cancellation of the persecution. On the other hand, of our nation. It is a well known fact that during the Second the police and other state authorities together with ordinary World War Greek Israelites fought heroically in North Epirus people devised many ways to hide or to assist the unfortunate and in Albania side by side with the rest of the Greeks. Many Israelites in escaping. In this way they saved them from the of them died fighting for Greece. Suffice to mention only one, rage of the Nazi beasts. Moreover, many younger in age the hero Colonel Mordechai Frizis. Israelites found refuge in the mountains, where they teamed After Greece was occupied by the German-Italian forces, up with guerrilla resistance groups and participated in many Greek Jews initially shared all the hardships and the suffering acts of sabotage against the German military forces. of the foreign occupation. This lasted until the collapse of Despite these efforts for saving the lives of Greek Israelites Italy, which offered the opportunity to Germans to begin the from the deadly danger that threatened them, their losses were systematic persecution of all Greek Jews. This persecution so large that, on average, 86 per cent of the pre-persecution caused deep emotion to the rest of the Greek population Jews perished. and led to the manifestation of feelings of solidarity and Today, all these tragic events are painful memories. altruism towards the Jews living in our country. Archbishop However, we should never forget them because they offer to Damaskinos of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the us a perennial lesson and reveal the moral degradation, the University of Athens, the National Technical University of debasement and the crimes to which hatred, blind fanatism, the Athens, and the other Ecoles Supérieures, the most important lack of democratic freedoms and to totalitarian regimes lead. From Martyrdom to Inalienable Glory Address by Constantinos G. Bonis DD Academician – Professor Emeritus of the University of Athens

e have been invited to join in the Memorial Academicians today, including the incumbent chairman of Ceremony to mark the fortieth anniversary the Academy Mr G. Michaelides-Nouaros, Academician and of the Holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis on former minister Mr Pan. Zeppos, Academician and former 60,000 of our Greek-Jewish brothers and sis- minister Mr I. Xanthakos, Academician Mr Othon Pylarinos Wters from all over the country, but mainly from Thessaloniki. and many of our colleagues, professors of the University of The distinguished members of the Central Board of Jewish Thessaloniki, witnessed the horrific, indescribable drama of Communities chose the present speaker because he special- thousands of our Greek-Jewish compatriots being herded ises in the study of religious documents, particularly the Holy through the streets like lambs to the slaughter. Bible, and is, therefore, able to give a free unbiased opinion of It is difficult for anyone who has not read Heinz Salvador the sacrifice and bloodshed that Jews and Orthodox Greeks Cunio’s soul-stirring work, “I Lived Through Death” alike suffered for their contribution to the development (Thessaloniki 1981, pp. 560) to comprehend the extent, of civilised nations; a contribution based on their belief in magnitude of Hitler’s Crime of the Century. It is impossible God Almighty, Father and Creator of all that is, the world, not to feel ashamed and repelled by the fact that there were Creation and, above all, mankind. people – savage people – who turned into anthropomorphic I must admit that it was not without awe that I accepted monsters and rushed like rabid wolves and tigers with no this kind invitation, for fear that I might be inadequate, hesitation and no scruples burdening their consciences to especially in my powers of expression and ability to find slaughter innocent ones simply because they happened to words to describe “the crime of the century” as the diabolical, be born Jews. I have read this book and must admit that I satanic, deliberate, human-engineered annihilation, torture was overwhelmed by shock, shame and wrath. The voice of and suffering inflicted on approximately twelve million Jews my conscience trembled and I plunged into crisis. Though a all over Europe by the brutal Hitler regime has rightly been theologian, I asked myself how it was possible for a merciful called. Among their number was, as was only to be expected, God to allow such crimes to be committed against His the approximately 60,000 strong Jewish community living innocent people. However, now that forty years have passed in Greece, especially in Thessaloniki. Exactly one year after since the horrific Holocaust, we see things more clearly and Hitler’s hordes invaded and occupied Greece, they had traced are able to form a fairer picture of the will of the Almighty. and recorded the Jewish roots of Greek nationals – men, And the words of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 40:13-17) women, young, old and infants – and made them identifiable come to mind: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, by way of yellow armbands (with a pentacle added in the or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took case of students) an order was given for all Jews to gather he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the in a certain square in Thessaloniki, from where this tide path of judgement, and taught him knowledge, and showed of humanity was driven through the main streets to the to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as railway station. The present speaker, as many of my fellow a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the

110 balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. prophecies had been fulfilled in Christ, the true Messiah. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof They, however, did not accept this. The earliest Defence of sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before him are as Christianity was the, now lost, dialogue written by Ariston of nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and Pella (circa A.D. 140) entitled “Dialogue between the Jewish- vanity.” born Christian Jason and the Jew Papiskos” who did not The title of this address, From Martyrdom to Inalienable believe in Christian baptism1. Nearly all subsequent defences Glory, was studiously chosen. For I truly believe that the of Christianity against Judaism used dialogue to retain the crimes committed against the Jews, not only the 54,000 friendly tone, indicating that Greek Christians regarded Jews of Thessaloniki and the 6,000 from the rest of Greece, Jews more or less as friends, and would enter discussions but also the millions of Jews from elsewhere in Europe, bear so as to allow both parties to put forward their views. We witness to the glory of their race. Moses himself, the greatest Greek Orthodox Christians cannot possibly recognise the religious and political figure in the Old Testament, verified Old Testament laws on which the entire religious philosophy this in prophetic spirit. This is what Israel’s great leader and beliefs of the Jews rest, as God given, and at the same Moses prophesied in his “Song” (Deuteronomy 32: 43). time oppose Jewish religious principles and convictions, as “Rejoice, O ye nations with his people: our principles and convictions rest on those same laws. It is for he will avenge the blood of his servants, time we built a bridge of love and drew closer to one another. and will render vengeance to his adversaries, We should never forget that belief very often divides people, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.” even those of the same faith, whereas love unites people and Discerning people with good judgement see the prophecy justifies God’s will. Hence, “All may be one,” (John 17: 21). of the great Moses unfolding in the gradual re-establishment And now the apparently friendly summons of Greek of the state of Israel for the first time since Titus destroyed the Thought and Judaic Reasoning that follows this prompts us holy city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and the Jews were dispersed. to take a necessarily brief look at the reciprocal influences The whole world watches in admiration as Israel grows more of Greeks and Jews through the course of their history. It is mature day by day. And it would indeed be a happy event if well known that after the fall of Jerusalem and its destruction the neighbouring nations and others that have the ability, by Vespasian and Titus in A.D. 70, the Jews were harshly acted as soon as possible in this area which is in turmoil today, treated by the Romans, indeed they were forbidden to enter to bring days of peace, stability and brotherly coexistence Jerusalem (after A.D. 135 under Emperor Publius Aelius once more to Israel and its neighbouring countries, indeed Hadrian, fl. A.D. 117 – 138) and those few who remained were to the whole of the Mediterranean. For the first time the forced to leave their beloved country. This persecution of the will of the Almighty judge has become apparent. The state Jews was even harsher than all preceding ones, including of Israel is already recognised by most countries. Until all that in Babylon. But the loss of the Jewish religious centre countries bow to His will, everything will be governed and resulted in a certain amount of exposure to the influence of the human race guided by far-seeing goodness towards Hellenism and nationalism (idolatry), and also to Christianity. mutual understanding and the end of suffering and greed, The distinguishing features of Judaism among the Diaspora, to the peace that everyone yearns. God’s chosen people will already in place in early Christianity, led to the development find the homeland they desire. This is why Moses calls upon of separate “distinct” religious communities which exerted a nations and peoples of every race and colour, Christian and proselytising influence on nationalist-idolaters. Monotheism, non-Christian, saying, “Rejoice herein, ye skies. Rejoice, ye the superior moral teachings of the Old Testament, and nations. With this my people are strengthened with all the belief in the immortality of the soul, prepared the ground for angels of God!” their approach and eventual acceptance of Christianity. For My position as a theologian precludes my making a Christianity had not only inherited the basic principles of the political statement; and I lack the authority to do so. But Old Testament and accepted them as God-given principles, as an interpreter of the Bible and adherent of the Greek but also evangelist methods for spreading the Christian faith. Orthodox Faith it is my duty to pronounce from this official The development of Apologist writing, as well as the moral position that we Greek Orthodox should not misinterpret the and religious teachings of Judaism, was such that it had a Scriptures. On the contrary, it is our duty to recognise the direct influence on both nationalist-idolaters and Christians, will of God as it is naturally manifested. It would be totally even on the educated among them. irrational and foolish to say that when our Lord was crucified No one conducting a study of the ritual practices of our all Jews were to blame – and even more foolish to blame Church, including sacerdotal vestments and other sacred subsequent generations of Jews. We must put an end to every objects, no one wanting to study what goes on inside a church form of religious intolerance. Indeed, never in the history of in general, what takes place during every mass or sacrament, the nation have the Greek Orthodox people been marked the hymns, the annals of the saints etc., can fail to see strong by anti-Semitism. Our Ecclesiastical writings, especially Old Testament influences in most things, if not in everything. the Defences of Christianity against Judaism, bear witness In fact, the whole structure of our Ecclesiastical Writings to how close we feel we are to the principles and religious is based on the Judaic Writings developed before Christ, convictions of Judaism. The first Christian apologists turned especially on the treatises of Philo, and to a lesser extent against idolatry with a vengeance, but sought to enter into on those of Josephus and the other educated Jews based in dialogue with the Jews so as to prove that the Old Testament Alexandria. So it was in Alexandria, where most of the Jewish

111 Diaspora lived, that the spirit of comparative reciprocal combined to create the greatest civilisation of all. This is why influence of Greek philosophy and Jewish religious-moral I am justified in referring to our two peoples as brothers. And cosmogony developed. We may say that the Jews came under this is why together we mourn the Holocaust of some 60,000 the influence of Greek philosophy long before the advent of our fellow people. Our people, people of our country – of Christianity. Indeed, conditions favoured the influence of Greek Jews! Greek civilisation on Jewish thinking from the 5th century But because of the sacred and moving nature of this B.C. Because the Jews were scattered among the large Greek gathering, our focus should be Israel, and I think it only right cities, they came into contact with the Greek way of life and and fair that I should draw attention to the Great Mystery were able to learn the lessons of the new philosophy of life which is particularly apparent today in this review, albeit and living. However, the strongest and most important brief, of the truly miraculous course of its history. So this is influence of Greek civilisation on Jewish philosophy came what we learn about it. Nobody can deny that the history of with Alexander the Great’s conquest of Palestine. So great the Jewish people is one of the most important chapters in was this influence on the Jewish people that they later felt a the history of mankind. The Biblical account of the origins danger of their spiritual heritage being absorbed, of suffering and history of the Jewish people clearly takes the existence because of defeat, or of the cosmogony of their own culture of God the Creator and providential Judge of all things as a being distorted and the very foundation of their nation being given fact. It also recognises His supernatural manifestations under threat. during the course of His chosen people of Israel. When It was in order to avert these dangers that the majority looking at the prophecies in the light of historical fact and of Jews adhered to the religion of their forebears and what actually happened to the Jewish people, right down strictly maintained those aspects that distinguished Jews to present-day Nazi anti-Semitism, it is not possible for from Greeks. The obvious differences were circumcision, intelligent, well-intentioned, educated people to fail to see the observation of the Sabbath, atonement, and so on. As the similarities between the prophecies and actual fact. The always in such cases, as well as those who upheld the law only people who deny that the Holy Bible is inspired by God scholastically, there were some who were more liberal in their are the rationalists. But I ask how it is possible to attribute views and had a friendlier attitude to Greek culture and the the complex, undeniably characteristic qualities of the Jewish Greek way of thinking. Jewish liberalism, developed mainly people that distinguish them from other peoples, to natural by the so-called Hellenists, used the pen to draw attention causes alone. I also wonder how it is possible to attribute the to the similarities between Greek philosophy and the Laws incredible, unprecedented coincidence of significant events of Moses in an attempt to make them meet half way. This from the history and present-day situation of the Jewish resulted in a split between two equally strong sides, known people with what the Prophets foretold to pure chance. as the “godly”, who strictly upheld the Laws of Moses, and There are still rationalists today, and materialists, and the “ungodly” of very different, liberal principles. Recent Old even atheists and nihilists. But I ask how it is possible for Testament researchers say it is they that are alluded to in honest readers of the Bible not to admit that the supernatural the first Psalm, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the element is intricately woven into the history of the Jews. counsel of the ungodly…..” One thing, however, is certain. All through the history of Israel, from Abraham to the Greek philosophy did exert its influence on Jewish Scriptures. destruction of Jerusalem under Titus, the mark of the hand Recent researchers see its influence in some of the Psalms, of God is evident. The Old Testament with its high moral in parts of the Book of Job, Proverbs, The Wisdom of Jesus values and ennobling influence on people, both before and Son of Sirach, Ecclesiastes, and above all in the Wisdom of after Christ, really is the “Book of Books”. Recent studies of Solomon3. the history of the holy book of the Old Testament testify to Time does not allow me to talk further of the influence the truth in what is said about influences on people. Experts of Greek philosophy on Jewish thought – neither have I any in the study of the Bible have proven that it is inspired by God intention of doing so. What little has been said, was said because no human being, however wise, could produce such with the sole intention of demonstrating how important a work, it would be beyond his powers to conceive it or write and desirable it has been since ancient times, for mutual it. And furthermore, it is impossible to explain in natural understanding of their respective ideals to develop between terms the distinguishing features of the Jewish people, as these two peoples – indeed, not just for there to be friendly seen not only in their past history but also in their religion understanding, but brotherly bonds, allowing good use and present-day situation and revealed in the Old Testament, to be made of the great gifts that God in all His wisdom and attribute it all to purely natural causes. bestowed on them both so that, by divine grace, they alone of Despite what the Old Testament foretold concerning the all peoples would be saved, surviving dangers and invasions anti-Semitism that would prevail after Hitler’s rise to power by numerous enemies, as well as the hardships of life through in Germany, the consequent persecution of the Jews and the the ages. And these two blessed peoples, Greeks and Jews, Satanic Nazi plan to annihilate the millions of Jews in Europe did survive, mainly by the Grace of God, but also thanks to – a plan which included the Holocaust of Greek Jews – the the power of their God-sent gifts of genius and unity in their Jews not only retained their identity, but reinforced it with belief in the one true God, their Creator and the Maker of new meaning. It is impossible to appreciate the significance all things. The creative concepts and achievements of Greek of this if you have not studied the prophecies concerning this philosophy, Jewish reasoning, and Christian cosmogony, chosen nation carefully and diligently. I will not repeat the

112 verses of Deuteronomy (chapters 28 & 29) which mention the as possible. Countries everywhere should aim to instil peace persecution and the uncountable numbers of Jews living in in everyone’s mind and make this their purpose, otherwise communities scattered all over the world. The prophecies of we may once again regard everyone as opposing God and Jeremiah and Amos are particularly relevant today as they setting themselves against His will! speak discerningly and in great detail of the return of the I would not like to end this address without reiterating people of Israel to the Promised Land. Jeremiah speaks this what I said at the beginning; that despite everything Greeks way in chapters 30 verse 3, and 10 to 31, chapters 35, 37, 3, and Jews have been through during their long history, Greece 25, 26 etc. In chapter 30 from verse 8 and on he says, “I will and Israel are the only nations of all nations that managed cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers to survive. Thanks to their intelligence and adaptability as (i.e. in Jerusalem and the greater region of Palestine which well as divine providence, they have been declared “chosen” had been taken over by idolaters and heathens) and they people and therefore have a duty to approach one another shall possess it.” And in chapter 10 verse 1 and on, the same while preserving their spiritual and racial hypostasis, but prophet says, “Here ye the word which the Lord speaketh without bigotry. It is their duty to seek out and take note unto you, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord, …… Every of the things that urge them on to mutual understanding, man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded friendship and love. We must not overlook the fact that by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and “Everything is as the great Creator and Lord of all in peace there is no breath in them. They are vanity….. the portion of and harmony ordained” (St. Clement of Rome A.D. 98, 1st Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 20 verse 11). We see that Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his the whole world seeks to solve its accumulating problems name. Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of through dialogue. It is through dialogue that different faiths, the fortress. …” And in chapter 16 verse 14 and on he says, religions, churches and large groups of peoples and countries ”Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall try to reach mutual understanding and approach one another. no more be said, the Lord liveth ……. that brought up the The most optimistic see a coming together of similar faiths children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all and tendencies in the distant future. However, they overlook the lands where he had driven them: and I will bring them what that most ancient author of religious texts, St. Clement again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.” But the of Rome, has to say, “The heavens bow to the power that prophet Amos speaks even more clearly about the return moves them. Day and night traverse the set course and hinder of the tribe of Israel to the Promised Land. In chapter 9:14 not each other. Sun and moon and stars dance to his order in he says, “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of harmony and deviate not as they execute the orders he has Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them: determined. By his will the earth brings forth in abundance and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; at the same time food for man and beast and every kind of they shall also make gardens and eat the fruit of them. And life living on it, and this neither divides them nor changes I will plant them upon their land which I have given them, what has been ordained,” (chapter 9). saith the Lord thy God.” It is easy to see the import of the words of this Holy There are, of course, sceptics and people who simply Father of the church. Everything in the whole of creation is regard the prophecies of the rebuilding of Israel as promises in harmony, not only in their infinite differences, but also in and wishful thinking on the part of the pious authors of their infinitely disparate ways, although you would expect the Bible. If we interpret these excerpts from the Prophets’ them to be hostile to one another. Yet they live in peace and sayings without bias but with good judgement, and if we harmony, and do what was ordained for them to do right look at the amazing things that are at present taking place in from the start. None of them are exactly the same as others, Israel without prejudice, then we are justified in recognising not even the leaves of the olive tree are identical with other the prophetic foresight concerning the return of Israel to leaves on the same tree, though they are similar. In spite of Palestine as truly flawless. The prophets did not know in similarities they may have in many different areas, we would advance when it would take place; only Divine Providence consider it a great miracle if one religion united with another did. Now it is we that see the promise made by God in all different one, or if a church with a recognised dogma united His wisdom about the return of Israel to the Promised Land with another one with different beliefs. Age-old traditions coming true! Judging by the fact that the Jewish population have stamped the mark of individuality on all peoples, and of Palestine has been constantly increasing in number since I think it is almost impossible for us to believe that we can it was declared an independent state, we must surely reach achieve union, other than through the bonds of brotherly the conclusion that the fulfilment of the prophetic sayings love. If the Biblical “all things will thus be” is not taken as concerning a better future for Israel has already begun. As the ultimate state, but seen over the course of time as human a theologian and objective reader of the Holy Scriptures, I evolution, it becomes a question of individual faith and hope. have expressed my own interpretation of the prophecies in I mention this in order to point out that there is a host of question. It is the interpretation I believe and accept. It would common features in the religions of the Jews and Orthodox be most fortunate for mankind if everyone, in Palestine Christians, which alone could lead to closer ties of mutual the region around it, everywhere in the Near East, in the esteem, mutual respect and love for one another – the love Mediterranean, in countries bordering to the east, north, meant by God in, “…there is none other… greater than these,” west and south, accepted what is happening today as soon (Mark chapter 12 verse 31). We are Orthodox Christians and

113 are proud of our sacred traditions. And the Jews, who came is no religious intolerance in this. On the contrary, Emperor before us, are justifiably proud of their enduring faith in their Justinian’s Novel bears witness to his deep understanding of Fathers, in Moses, the prophets, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. the problems his Jewish subjects faced as the decree promotes Suffice it to say that we Orthodox Greeks recognise these peace and teaches the benefits of reading and interpreting holy figures, believe in them and revere them. It is exactly the Holy Bible not only in Greek, but in whatever language, because of this that the Greek people have never shown any Italian or any other, that was spoken in the area and the anti-Semitism. Although while the new religion of Jesus was people understood. Coming in the Middle Ages, this liberal struggling to survive some authors did oppose Jewish beliefs, spirit is most laudable, as is the traditional acceptance of the Fathers of our Church never displayed such opposition religious differences among Greeks who, generally speaking, and never denied the truth of the Old Testament – they saw still tolerate no bigotry or racial prejudice, with the exception that its contents were of a “preparatory” nature. The only of a few, for the most part uneducated, fanatics. division between us and the Jews is that surrounding the Finally, it would be greatly amiss not to quote from Messiah, our Lord, Redeemer and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the monumental appeal made by Archbishop of Athens and the Jew’s non-recognition of Him as the Messiah and Damascinos to Prime Minister of occupied Greece K. Redeemer. Even so, we Christians owe a debt of gratitude to Logothetopoulos on 23rd March 1943. Among other things, the Jews for the many things we have gained from the Old this document says, “…2. The Jews of Greece have not only Testament. The Jews are our progenitors and the forefathers shown themselves to be valuable contributors to the economy of our religion. And as a result of this, as I have already of the country, but have also shown themselves to be law- mentioned, Greeks have never been possessed by feelings abiding people who are fully aware of their duty as Greek of religious intolerance against the Jews. citizens. They have made sacrifices for Greece as others have Finally, I would like to cite two, historically significant and been in the front lines when Greece fought to defend her examples as proof of this. It is a well-known fact that, far inalienable rights…..4. The children of our common mother from being racially or religiously intolerant, Byzantium Greece are inseparably united in the national conscience and elevated Armenians, Scythians, Slavs, Alemannians, Arabs are equal members of the National Organisation irrespective and Ethiopians to high office provided they confessed belief of differences in faith or dogma. 5. Our sacred faith knows no in the Greek Orthodox Church and were baptised into it. distinction, superiority or inferiority rooted in race or religion, Even so, the great emperor Justinian was amazingly friendly and believes “There is neither Jew nor Greek,” (Galatians: to the Jews and showed no signs of religious intolerance. The chapter 3, verse 28) and thus condemns anything that may only rule he imposed on them was that in synagogues all over lead to prejudice based on racial or religious differences. 6. the empire the Bible (the Old Testament) should be read in The communality of fortune in both days of glory and in the language that the people of the community spoke and times of national misfortune has forged insoluble bonds could understand, because many of them were unschooled between all Greek citizens of whatever race on the anvil in Hebrew and could not understand what the holy scriptures of the Greek spirit.” The Central Jewish Council describes said. In A.D. 553, following complaints by Jews who did not this truly admirable document in the following terms, “The know Hebrew, Justinian issued Novel No. 162, in which this document that blessed Archbishop Damascinos addressed theologian emperor states, “It has come to our notice that to Prime Minister K. Logothetopoulos is a monument to the only the Jewish tongue is used in the reading of the Holy courage, national pride, and respect for human ideals of the Scriptures, and it is our will that, as many have been asking Greek spirit. This monumental document, unprecedented for many years now, the Greek language be used.” So the order in the annals of the whole of occupied Europe, was signed was given by Justinian, the greatest theologian of the time, by representatives of the country’s main Intellectual and according to Ad. V. Harnack (Dogmengeschichte 4, Berlin, Spiritual Institutions, Bodies and Organisations on behalf 1924 p. 422). “We hereby legislate that in the Synagogues of its silenced people. It took ‘Virtue and Courage’ to sign of the Jews, as is our will and that of Jews in the whole of such a bold document in those dark times.” this land, the Holy Bible shall be read in the Greek language I would like to end this address on the Holocaust of the which is understood, or in the language of the country of Greek Jews of Thessaloniki and the rest of Greece with the origin (Italian that is for those from Italy) they know or be comment just mentioned, which was made by the Central read in the language they know of whatever place, so that Jewish Council when the historical document was made from now on what is said is clear to the whole congregation public. As the comment points out, “It took ‘Virtue and that they may live by it and its precepts, and need not rely on Courage’ to sign such a bold document in those dark times.” explanations proffered by those who speak Hebrew and be The first signature added after that of heroic Archbishop misled if they so want, as when there is ignorance, both may Damascinos is that of unforgettable Mr S. Dontas, President harbour malice. Furthermore, it will make the traditional of the Academy at that time, who signed on behalf of the whole reading of the Seventy’s in Greek so much clearer…” assembly. It is significant and meaningful that the Central The liberal sentiment behind Emperor Justinian’s Novel is Jewish Council chose the present Chairman of the Academy plain to see, as is his concern that there should be consensus and myself to speak at today’s anniversary of the Holocaust. I among Jewish Synagogue congregations who should go to the entitled my address “From Martyrdom to Inalienable Glory” Synagogue and hear the Holy Bible read and interpreted in because the Holocaust sealed the ‘inalienable glory’ of the the language they were educated in and understand. There rise and establishment of Israel through the indelible mark

114 of Nazi brutality and the continuing sorrow and unceasing Apollinarius Bishop of Ierapolis in Phrygia (the hometown of flow of tears from Greeks and Jews alike for the Holocaust of apostolic Papios) wrote 4 Defences, circa A.D. 172, which he gave their loved ones. But this Holocaust has led to even closer ties to Marcus Aurelius, all now lost. He wrote 5 books according to the Greeks, 2 books on the truth, and 2 books according to the between our two peoples – Orthodox Greeks and Jews. The Jews. He also wrote a book On the Celebration of Easter. fact that our brother Greek-Jewish survivors have founded a The renowned Bishop of Melitus, Bishop of Sardes in Lydia, also ‘Greek House’ at the University of Israel is proof of this. called the Prophet, wrote many defences, most now lost. Among Official and non-official bodies have often said and still them were 6 volumes On Law and the Prophets (the earliest Table often reiterate, that we Greeks have no brothers and are alone of Old Testament Prophets) and On Faith and the Birth of Christ, 3 in the world. I believe, I am convinced, that we are neither books on Christ taking human form (according to Markinios the alone, nor without brothers! We Orthodox Greeks and Jews heretic). These works are of a didactic-admonishing nature. are brothers of the same heart in the revealing religion of the The extant work (probably written after A.D. 135) by Justine Old Testament prophets, evangelical teachings and truths. the philosopher and martyr (A.D. 165) Dialogue to the Chief of the Synagogue, probably Tryphon or Tarphon, was in dialogue form. Both peoples have been “chosen” and “blessed” by the most The first Epistle by Clement of Rome (A.D. 96) based for the wise, most powerful, most merciful God our Father, Father most part on the Old Testament, is an admonishing epistle to the of all creation. And He protects us through indescribable Corinthians in which he sees the fulfilment of the prophecies in tides of sorrow, hardship and adversity, among which, the the figure of Christ. There is no trace of polemic diatribe against Holocaust of the Greek-Jews of Thessaloniki and the rest of the Jews. Melitos of Sardes was exceptional in accusing the Jews of Greece – the Holocaust which we remember today on this its ingratitude and injustice to Christ, as the prophecies were fulfilled 40th anniversary. It should be pointed out that neither Greeks in him, so they were called upon to believe in him as the prophesied nor Jews have ever distanced themselves from their belief in Messiah, the awaited one. Almost all the ancient apologists did this the one true God, our Creator and keeper, and never will. We but were untouched by any form of religious intolerance or hostile diatribe. Hostile, polemic developed mainly from the 3rd century bow our heads to His great kindness and mercy, and humbly on, and was for the most part the work of western apologists. It is ask and implore Him to punish those who have wronged us, notable, however, that Proof to the Jews, attributed to Hippolytus each and every one according to his deeds, forgive us our (A.D. 236) retains the dialogue form. Gregorios Nissis’ work, transgressions and protect us – Greeks and Jews, Greece and Selected Accounts for the Jews, is in the form of admonishment, as Israel – be that so and both peoples will worship and adore is the disputed work by Chrysostom, Proof to Jews and Greeks of God in His grace, which will make us, “brothers and helpers Christ’s Divinity, and many others that retain the form of dialogue in time of sorrow” (The Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, 40:24) and admonishment. and “make between them – Jews and Greeks – a Covenant 2 Adolf V. Harnack, Die Mission und Ausbreitung des of Peace to protect His saints and people,” (The Wisdom of Christentums in der ersten drei jahrhunderten, Leipzig 1924 1,5 Jesus Son of Sirach, 45:24). says: “The synagogues of the Diaspora are not only, as Tertyllianos says, the gateway to the well of persecution (fontes persecutionum) May our inhumanely slaughtered Greek-Jewish brothers for early Christianity, but also the most significant factors in the and sisters never be forgotten! emergence and development of Christian communities within the State. The synagogue network was instrumental in determining Let their memory live for ever! the lines and directions to be taken by the centres of Christian enlightenment and proselytism. The sacred mission of the new Footnotes religion, undertaken in the name of the God of Abraham and 1 The Epistle, attributed to St. Barnabas the Apostate and Moses, had already found, as it were, its predetermined area of written under a pseudonym between A.D. 130/5 and A.D. 140, is activity.” Philo, Legatio ad Gaium, Bd YI. 201,4 (pub. Leopold the earliest catechism-indoctrination by an Alexandrian Christian. Cohn et Sigofredus Reiter, Philonus Alexandrini Opera, Berlin The epistle sets out to prove that the prophecies were fulfilled in 1915) says: “The Jews are most numerous in every town, in Asia the figure of Christ. The influence of Philo is evident in the liberal and in Syria.” use of allegory. It urges the Jews to accept Christ as the Messiah In 1.13 ibid., Harnack says: “2. The Jews of the diaspora were in foretold by the Prophets. part true Jews (he thereby differentiates them from Samaritans and In A.D. 23/24 Kordatos the Apologist, a student of the apostles, others). However, the Jewish population in the State was so strong gave Emperor Hadrian a Defence which was, wrongly, thought to that its influence and social significance was plain to see, given that be Barlaam and Jassaph, the novel extant during the lifetime of seven per cent of the population of the empire under Augustus Saint Katerina. It was later proven to be the Defence written by was Jewish. In order to understand prosyletism, its methods and the Athenian Aristeides. It seeks to prove Christ’s divinity, mainly the spread of Christianity, we must bear in mind that the Jewish through his miracles, but also through his teaching, and thus that faith, in whose shadow (“umbraculum”) Christianity emerged, was what the prophets foretold was fulfilled in the figure of Christ. a definitive factor, not only because of its strength, but also because Not a polemic diatribe. of its extent among the population.” It should also be pointed out Circa A.D. 140 Ariston wrote his Dialogue between Papisios that the Jewish people were proud to be able to offer the whole and Jason on Christ, which we have referred to, and which takes world, and the whole human race, belief in One God; a Spiritual the form of an admonishing dialogue throughout. Being. So they were the bearer and patron of Moral Law and Around A.D. 161-9 Miltiades the orator of Asia Minor Judge. These beliefs were also the most powerful means that gave Marcus Aurelius (emperor A.D. 161 – A.D. 180) a Defence the Christian proselytising mission had to combat the worship consisting of two volumes According to the Greeks, two volumes of soulless idols and promote recognition of the One God, According to the Jews, and a Defence of Christian Philosophy, all the Creator and judge of all things among idolaters. It would now lost. be beyond the scope of the present purpose to describe, even 115 briefly, what the spread of Christianity owed to the Jews of the Philosophy on the Book of The Wisdom of Solomon,Athens 1961 Diaspora. But the debt bears witness to the fact that the Diaspora (An address delivered in abridged form on 22nd January 1961 the of the Jews and the spread of the Greek people are the work of University of Athens Grand Auditorium on the occasion of the Divine Providence, as they paved the way for the establishment establishment of new principles for the university in the 1960- of Christianity through Judaism. 1961 academic year. Professor V. Vellas, Religious Figures of the Old Testament, 3 As far as the mutual influence of Greek philosophy and Athens 1934: in his prologue, A. Moesis says the following, which civilisation and Judaism is concerned, it has been a recognised fact is worthy of study, “The student is dazzled by the intensity of the since the time of the conquest of Palestine by Alexander the Great religion of the Great Moses for example, amazed by the eternal in 324 B.C. that the influence of Greek Philosophy and civilisation validity of the prophetic teachings, by the invincible power of on Judaism had indeed been profound and extensive since the 5th the teachings of the prophets. Centuries come and go, human century B.C. But the spiritual, religious, moral influence of Judaism ingenuity evolves with the passage of time, and respected theories, on the Greeks was also great. This mutual influence is evident principles and philosophies succeed one another, new states of in the Scriptures of both peoples. Here I merely mention works affairs and new mentalities emerge every day, everything seems by M. Friedlander, Griechische Philisophiim Alten Testament. to change daily, but the principles laid down by the great figures Berlin 1904, E. Sellin, Die Spuren grichischer Philosophie im alten of the Jewish religion seem always to be contemporary, always of Testament, Seipzig 1905 Lange, P. Heinisch, Die griech. Philos: im value, always new, permeated with eternal authority and invincible Buche Weisheit. Munster 1908, The Wisdom of Solomon and Plato, strength... These great figures remain an insoluble puzzle for the Journal of Bibl. Lit. 1936. I refer in more detail to the excellent later scientific community, no matter how strictly they apply their time- researcher and scholar of Old Testament issues and problems, honoured scientific methods. This is where scientific methodology, Professor V. Vellas, who many times spoke admirably on related unable to penetrate deeper, ceases and theology steps in. Working problems while analysing the Prophets, added astute observations on a plane which is above the senses, theology seeks to solve the and insight into everything he dealt with and included the puzzle through acceptance of the miracle that takes place in the necessary bibliography. See Vassilis Vellas, The Influence of Greek spiritual realm.

Day of Remembrance By Mrs Hélène Ahrweiler

irst of all, allow me to address the martyrs. It is only Some, like Milosevic, by claiming that Hitlers will always in the Greek language that the word “martyr” has exist. Some others by refusing the Holocaust, while others two meanings: it means him who reveals the truth by talking generally about genocides without being aware but also him who dies for the truth. that Shoah, the genocide of Jews, is unique. And it is unique FThe number of Jews who died suffering martyrdom for only one reason: because for the first time in history man for the truth cannot be counted. They chose April, this denied his fellow man, not in his capacity to be Jew but in merciless month as T. S. Elliot has written, for remembering his capacity to be a human being. This has happened only the largest atrocity in history, for remembering Shoah; this once in history and should never be repeated. But we must is the hell that man himself created for man. And they be vigilant, we must not be complacent and must not forget created Shoah next to museums, next to universities, next what a German Protestant priest wrote shortly before he to libraries, next to theatres, next to civilisation. Civilisation died, while Brecht also said the same thing: the tummy of does not necessarily make a person civilised. This is the horror is about to give birth again. The priest wrote: when conclusion that we, the supposedly intellectuals, can derive they came to arrest my neighbour because he was a Jew, I from the tragic events of Nazi atrocities. did not protest since I was not a Jew. When they came to What have we now to tell our children? I shall recall arrest my other neighbour because he was a communist, I the words of Lili Zografou, who in her work “Michael” did not protest since I was not a communist. When, some wrote: “When I encounter a Jew, I who come from the distance away, they arrested some Catholic Germans, I did other camp, that is from those who turned their heads not protest since I was not a Catholic. However, when they away or even led them to Auschwitz, have neither words came to arrest me, there was nobody left to protest! We nor any reason to be proud”. These are the words that we should never forget for whom the bell tolls, for it tolls for can tell our children, we who come from the other camp. each and every one of us. For Shoah is not something that concerns only Jews. The Your Eminence, in my capacity as a byzantinist, I would annihilation of Jews is the end of the European civilisation like to recall the history of this great European cultural and of the European intellect as it lived throughout the community, I am referring to the Israelite community and centuries. The horror is immense, the pain cannot be particularly its Greek community. Long before Slavonic measured and the shame is even greater. And we should Greeks, long before Greeks of Vlach descend and well not attempt to find excuses or reasons for sleeping better. before the Albanian Greeks, Jews had settled in Greece

116 during the first years A.D., as the inscriptions found in Corinth reveal. Thus, when Apostle Paul arrives Virtue and Courage in Macedonia, he addresses the Jewish Communities The Greek Orthodox Church in Macedonia to convert the population to the first and the academic world of the Greek people Christians. The blossoming of the Jewish community be it European, be it Greek or be it Byzantine was protest against the persecution always impressive. Even though the Byzantines always treated Jews as a kind of scapegoat, they never proceeded in a pogrom. When in the 12th century The letter that was sent by Archbishop Damaskinos to Benjamin of Tudela arrives in Greece to censor Jews, the Prime Minister K. Logothetopoulos at the time, is a he finds that thousands upon thousands had settled monument of courage, national dignity and respect for in every port and in every city. And when in 1492 human ideals. the Catholic “devout” Kings of Spain, naturally the This historical document, unique in the annals of occupied word devout must be used in inverted commas, Europe, was signed by representatives of the major cultural started the first pogrom, the largest in history, by institutions and organisations, speaking on behalf of the expelling hundreds of thousands of Jews from silenced Greek people. It required “virtue and courage” to Spain and Portugal, more than 70,000 Jews arrived sign such a document in those dark times. in Thessaloniki and in Macedonia. It was thanks to these Jews that Thessaloniki and its surrounding To region blossomed financially and culturally during The Prime Minister the period of Greek slavery under the Ottoman Mr. K. Logothetopoulos Empire. I must add that Bagiazit the Second, who Athens 23 March 1943 was the sultan at the time, welcomed the Israelites coming in waves in the Ottoman Empire by saying: Mr. Prime Minister “I am told that Ferdinand of Spain is a very clever monarch. I very much doubt it. For, by expelling Jews he Greek people were rightfully surprised and deeply from his country, he made me even richer. Nowadays, grieved to be informed that the German Occupation the Ottoman Empire is the richest country in the Authorities have already started to put into effect world thanks to the Jews”. a programme of gradual deportation of the Greek As you are aware, it was Thessaloniki that TJewish Community of Salonica to places beyond our national largely paid the price for Shoah. More than 90 borders and that the first groups of deportees are already on per cent of the Jews of Thessaloniki, some 46,000 their way to Poland. The grief of the Greek people was even people, were taken to the concentration camps. deeper since: Only 2,000 returned and they now try to survive in 1) According to the terms of the armistice, all Greek citizens, a Community that is smaller compared to the Jewish without distinction of race or religion, were to be treated equally Community of Athens. In an attempt to live, the by the Occupation Authorities. Community of Thessaloniki built its own museum. 2) The Greek Jews have proven themselves not only valuable As I see among the audience representatives of the contributors to the economic growth of the country but also law Greek State, I would like to take this opportunity to - abiding citizens who understand fully their duties as Greeks. say that someone should have the courage to delete They had their share in the common sacrifices for the Greek the following words from the French language guide country and were always on the front line of the struggles of the of Thessaloniki: “In 1492 a wave of Jews fell in the Greek nation to defend its inalienable historical rights. city of Thessaloniki”. This guide has been published 3) The law - abiding nature of the Jewish community in by a printing office located immediately next to the Greece excludes a priori any reason that it may be involved in Museum of the Jewish Community. actions or acts that might endanger even in the slightest, the I would not like to prolong my address. As a safety of the Military Occupation Authorities. historian, there is only one thing that I must say and 4) To the national conscience all the children of common this is what we must teach the future generations: mother Greece appear to be an inseparable unity; they are all that no one will ever understand how such an event equal members of the national body without regard to religion was possible to happen in the very land in which or dogmatic differences. centuries ago Antigone cried: “I was not born to hate 5) Our Holy Religion does not recognize any superior or but to love”. inferior qualities based on race or religion, stating that: “there is neither Jew nor Greek”, (Gal. 3:28) and in this manner, [Mrs Hélène Ahrweiler is a former Chancellor condemning any attempt to discriminate or create racial or of the Sorbonne University – Address to the religious differences. Remembrance Day of the Holocaust in the 6) Our common fate, in days of glory and in periods of Jewish Cemetery of Athens, 14 April 2002]. national misfortune, forged inseparable bonds among all Greek citizens, without exemption, no matter what their race.

117 Certainly, we are not unaware of the deep conflict detention of the active male population (except children between the new Germany and the Jewish community and the old) at a specific place on Greek territory under nor do we intend to become defenders or even simply the surveillance of the Occupation Authorities, so that judges of world Jewry in the sphere of the great political their security is guaranteed even against a hypothetical and economic affairs of the world. Today we are interested danger, and the Greek Jewish community will be spared and deeply concerned with the fate of 60.000 of our fellow of this deportation which is threatening it. In addition, citizens, who are Jews. For long, we have lived together in we note with regard to the above measure that the rest slavery and in freedom and we have come to know their of the Greek people will be willing if asked, to guarantee feelings, their brotherly attitude, their economic activity without hesitation for their brothers in need. and what is even more important their irreproachable We hope that the Occupation Authorities will realise patriotism. True witness of this is the great number of in time the aimlesness of the percecution of Greek Jews victims offered without regret and without hesitation by in particular, who are among the most peaceful and the Greek Jewish community on the altar of duty when productive elements of the country. our country was in peril. If, however, they insist on this policy of deportation, we believe that the Government as the bearer of any political Mr. Prime Minister, authority left in the country, should take a clear stance with regard to these events and let the foreigners bear the e are certain that the thoughts and feel- full responsibility of commiting this obvious injustice. For ings of the Government agree with those of all the rest of the Greek people we believe that no one should forget that all actions during on this matter. We believe also that you these difficult times, even those that lie beyond our will Whave already taken the necessary steps and applied to and power will be reviewed someday by the nation and the Occupation Authorities to rescind the grievous and will be subjected to historical investigation. During that aimless measure to deport the members of the Jewish time of judgement, the aspect of responsibility assumed community of Greece. by the leaders will weigh heavily upon the conscience of We hope indeed, that you have indicated to those the nation, if the leaders fail to make bold and express the in power that such a harsh treatment of Jews who are most justified protest of the Nation against measures like Greek citizens, as opposed to Jews of other nationalities the initiation of the deportation of the Greek Jews which in Greece, makes the instituted measure even more insult our national unity and honour. unjustifiable and therefore morally unacceptable. If it is With respect security reasons that justify it, we think that it is possible Damaskinos to suggest a solution, and to take measures such as the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece

Follow signatures of the heads of the major cultural institutions and organizations:

The President of the Academy of Athens, the Rector of the University of Athens, the Rector of the Polytechnical School of Athens, the Rector of the High School of Economic Studies, the President of the Medical Association of Attica, the President of the Roll of Barristers of Attica, the President of the Union of Notaries of Athens and Aegean, the President of the Journalist’s Union, the President of the Association of Greek authors, the President of the Culture Association, the President of the Pireus Chamber of Commerce, the President of the Athens Professional Chamber, the President of the Greek Association of Chemists, the President of the Athens Association of Pharmacists, the President of the Dentist’s Association, the President of the Athens Craftsman Chamber, the President of the Pireus Association of Pharmacists, the President of the Greek Actors, the President of the Greek Association of Pharmacists, the President of the Medical Association of Pireus, the President of the Athens Association of Commercants, the President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Vice-President of the Greek Union of theatrical and musical Criticals, the President of the Medical Association of Callithea, the Secretary General of the Panhellenic Association of Dentists, the President of the Greek Industrialists Union, the General Director of the Refugee’s Organisation, the General Director of Social Health Organisation.

118 ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΑΤΙΚΟ ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΟΛΟΚΑΥΤΩΜΑ ΤΩΝ ΕΒΡΑΙΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ

1η έκδοση: 1984 2η έκδοση: 1992 3η έκδοση (συμπληρωμένη & επαυξημένη): 2006

Σύνταξη - Επιμέλεια: Γραφείο Δημοσίων Σχέσεων Κεντρικού Ισραηλιτικού Συμβουλίου Ελλάδος

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