The Association for the Jewish Heritage of Gallipoli

We visited the town of Gallipoli Turkey, where our ancestors lived and successfully thrived for many generations. The enlightened Jewish Community which maintained itself in Gallipoli for hundreds of years, even before the expulsion from Spain in 1492 thru the 1970’s, has disappeared, dispersing itself throughout the world. In the early 1900’s many members of the community began to immigrate to the United States, South America and Israel. Those who remained were unable to maintain the community. Today, only one Jew remains in Gallipoli.

It is depressing to wander through the section of the city, which was previously the Jewish Quarter where our families had lived, seeing abandoned houses with their special architecture. It is heartbreaking    to see the synagogue in ruins.

It was most difficult, to the point of almost repulsive, to see the condition of the Jewish cemetery where our ancestors were buried starting back in the 15^th century. According to a survey conducted about 10 years ago by Prof. Mina Rosen there are more than 800 graves in the cemetery.

The cemetery is neglected and desecrated, its walls and fences have been breeched, the purification hall has been taken over by a local family and the place looks like a public dump. The cemetery is covered with underbrush and thorns which have grown over most of the graves. In addition the low graves are covered with dirt. Many tombstones are missing, some of which have been removed while other are strewn around the cemetery. A few years ago a six floor tenement house was built on a section of the cemetery. Last year, about one third of the cemetery, with at least 200 graves, was taken by the local municipality for a construction project. Without any notice the constructors dug the land using bulldozers, brutally desecrated the ancient graves and threw the tombstones to the dump.

If this cemetery is not immediately restored, it will cease to exist. It is essential to preserve this sacred and historical site for future generations and as a memorial to the Jewish Community of Gallipoli. In addition, a message will be delivered to the local Moslem residents that the Jewish people do not neglect and abandon their heritage and their sacred sites.

Therefore, we have decided to organize in order to raise the resources necessary to carry out the project of restoration and conservation of the cemetery. Our main tasks will include the following steps:

1. Repair the wall and fence in order to enclose what was left of the original cemetery and declare it as a sacred place again.
2. Clear the weeds and thorns and remove any trash and garbage.
3. Clean all tombstones from dirt, weeds, fungus and moss.
4. Find the tombstones which are strewn around and place them on the proper graves.
5. Mark the graves without tombstones relying on the survey of Prof. Mina Rosen

We will need to seek the full cooperation of the local authorities, who will also be responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the site.

We have registered as a non-profit organization, according to the Law of Non-Profit Organizations of the State of Israel, to be called:

«The Association for the Jewish Heritage of Gallipoli».

We created a Facebook group called «The Jewish Heritage of Gallipoli« with members and supporters from all over the world. Your participation, contribution, comments and feedback will be greatly appreciated.

At this point we would appreciate your willingness to join the families and persons who are ready to help promote this project of restoring and conserving the Gallipoli Jewish Cemetery. In addition, we will appreciate it if you can provide us with names and addresses of other individuals or organizations who may be interested in joining this effort. Your reaction to this project will also be appreciated.

Mimi and  Ilan Guy, Ashdod, Israel
Ruthi and David Elazar, Rishon LeZion, Israel
Sarah and David Kara, Petach Tikvah, Israel

The Association for the Jewish Heritage of Gallipoli
(A registered Israeli association No. 580582179)
c/o Guy family, 13 Har Gilboa St. Ashdod, Israel 7772013
Tel. 972-8-8543444
gallipoli.org@gmail.com
http://www.gallipoli.org.il

Fuente: www.kolsefardim.net