"Ottoman Salonika" by Bob Bedford to be shown at Kehila Kedosha Janina

Kehila Kedosha Janina Museum is honored to show a rarely seen documentary film by Bob Bedford, “Ottoman Salonika.” Bob Bedford is the Executive Vice President of the New York-based Foundation for the Advancement of Sephardic Studies and Culture, whose mission is to preserve and promote the complex and centuries-old culture of the Sephardic communities of Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, Europe, and the United States.

 
Ottoman Salonika offers a rarely seen glimpse into the Jewish world of Thessaloniki (Salonika) before it became part of Modern Greece in 1912. A must see for all those who descend from this traditional Judeo-Speaking Sephardic world and all those who are interested in the history of Jewish life in the Balkans.

Ottoman Salonica, 1430 -1912 is a 25-minute documentary which relates the history of the ancient Macedonian city of Salonica, and the rich culture of the Sephardic Jewish community that flourished there for nearly five centuries under Ottoman rule. Ottoman Salonica vividly recreates the distinctive character of Salonica, when the Spanish Jews dominated both the city’s commerce and cultural activity.

The history of Sephardic life in Salonica until the Balkan Wars of 1912 and the fall of European Turkey, is recreated by use of historic etchings, maps and more than 250 rare archival photographs from turn-of-the-century postcards and family albums. The sound track was prepared from authentic Sephardic and Turkish music, and includes specially recreated sound effects and authentic dialects. Below are some video captures from Ottoman Salonica.

Ottoman Salonica was written and directed by Robert Bedford, and narrated by Dr. Andreas Zavitsas. It was produced by Robert Bedford, Joe Halio, M.D., and Stuart Fishelson, for the Foundation for the Advancement of Sephardic Studies and Culture. Originally produced for the quincentennial celebration in 1992, Ottoman Salonica has had numerous showings throughout New York New Jersey, and Florida.

Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos, Mjuseum Director of Kehila Kedosha Janina and granddaughter of a ‘hamali’ from Salonika, will give a brief introduction to the film.
 
Open to the public. Entrance fee: $5
 
Where: Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum, 280 Broome Street, New York City, NY 10002 (located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, between Allen and Eldridge). For more information call 516-456-9336. 
 
When: March 13th at 1:00
 
Refreshments served.
 
Please RSVP at kehila_kedosha_janina@netzero.net

Fuente: Kehila Kedosha Janina and Foundation for the Advancement of Sephardic Studies and Culture