Jewish Salonica, the Sephardi Metropolis

Sunday, December 28

USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET

UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm

The talk will last approximately 90 minutes

About this talk

As Sephardi Jews settled throughout the Ottoman Empire, Salonica—Thessaloniki, now Greece's second-largest city—grew into a vital center of Jewish life and culture, earning titles such as "Madre de Israel" ("Mother of Israel") and the "Jerusalem of the Balkans." For several centuries, it stood as one of the largest and most influential Sephardi cities in the world, offering refuge to Jews from Spain, Portugal, and many parts of the Mediterranean.

This vibrant city became one of the great centers of the Jewish Diaspora, developing a rich cultural heritage whose influence endures today. We will trace the history of this remarkable community from its early development to the present, exploring the traditions and distinctive qualities that made Salonica an indispensable chapter in the story of the Jewish people.

About Joseph

Joseph Michael Vardakis was born in Athens, Greece. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Psychobiology, and he is currently completing his M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology. He has lived and studied in the UK, South Africa, and Israel, and he now resides in Athens.

Joseph has served as a student counsellor for the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration in Israel and has worked in an educational setting within the Jewish community of South Africa before beginning his academic studies. In his spare time, he offers themed tours in Athens, including visits to sites of Jewish interest.