From Salonica to Aleppo: Narratives of the Alliance Israélite Universelle under the Ottoman Crescent – June 29 at 2pm

From the vibrant port city of Salonica to the desert crossroads of Aleppo, Jewish communities once thrived under the vast umbrella of the Ottoman Empire. Though separated by hundreds of miles, these communities shared more than a common faith—they were connected by a bold 19th-century educational experiment launched in Paris: the Alliance israélite universelle. Founded in 1860, the Alliance sought to empower Jewish communities through modern schooling, the teaching of French, and the promotion of values such as equality, dignity, and civic participation. It was not just a school system—it was a movement, bridging East and West, tradition and modernity.

Join us on Sunday June 29 at 2pm when Dvorah Serrao, the current CEO of the Alliance israélite universelle, will explore how the Alliance reshaped Jewish life in two strikingly different cities. In cosmopolitan Salonica, the schools helped create a new class of French-speaking merchants, teachers, and intellectuals. In more conservative Aleppo, the Alliance offered young boys—and eventually girls—a chance to enter the modern world while preserving their identity. We will trace personal stories, letters, and school reports that bring this history to life, revealing how education became a path to both opportunity and challenge for Jews living in the Ottoman Empire.

Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org