Are we “equal citizens”?

 Everyone who is dedicated to continuing the Jewish heritage, whether young, old, those who have people from Edirne in their family and those who do not, is preparing for a return to the Edirne Synagogue thanks to the organisation of the Turkish Jewish Community. However, when we look at the history, has enough effort been made to allow our exemplary countrymen who were forced to leave this town during periods of time and who experienced the pain of history, particularly in the 1934 Thracian Incidents, to feel like equal citizens?  

The concept of citizen can be defined as a legal relationship of belonging between the state and the individual. These basic rights were first defined under the Convention on Citizenship and Human Rights dated 1789 which safeguarded equality, freedom, the right to property, the right to a secure life, the right to resist against pressures and in connection with these rights, the rights to elect and be elected, equality before the law in every area, freedom of thought and worship, the right to free travel, the right to education and the right to social security and employment. At the root of modern law, criteria such as the right to have individual and community rights, the right to take advantage of economic advantages equally and freely, the right to personally participate at every level of governance, the right to represent and be represented, the right to freely exercise cultural pluralism (language, religion, ethnicity, etc) and the right to associate politically and socially are at the forefront. In Turkey – just as in other all modern countries – these rights have been listed in the section on the fundamental rights of the constitution, however in the situation of minority communities there have been some problems in application. As it is known, after the negotiations in Lausanne in order to be considered “equal citizens” the Turkish Jews renounced their minority rights as defined in the area of Personal Rights (Article 42) of the Lausanne Agreement, and the other minority communities also followed suit. Support for the Turkish Jews in many areas such as the survival and contribution to the development of their religion, culture and identity, the provision of equal rights and conveniences, economic and social security so that the congregation can continue their way of life, the right to equal education and worship, the right to security and equal protection against all forms of discrimination should not be delayed.

One of the foremost issues that must be vocally brought up in the upcoming period, is the right to education. Currently, a parent who wants their child to be raised as a good Jew, can send their child to the Jewish School with the support of the state and without having to struggle against economic hardships associated with such an education. Support should be expected for the provision of rabbis and the maintenance of the physical requirements of the synagogues for coreligionists who want to worship, both in many cities such as Edirne, Kırklareli, Bursa and Antakya where the congregation numbers are low and also in comparatively larger cities of Istanbul and Izmir. Turkish Jews, whose numbers are falling, should not have to leave their property, reduce the size of or combine their institution in order to successfully continue their existence in these lands in fifty years time. A definition of equal citizenship, where the rights of all minorities are protected and where any acts of discrimination or hate crime can be opposed without being faced with a physical attack, must take its place in practice. Public activities that aim to remove the misconception about the Jews and that aim to continue a culture that has been blooming in these lands for over 700 hears should be encouraged, many activities such as European Jewish Culture Day, Ladino Day should be organized with this aforementioned support. Only if this is achieved, will the Turkish Jews – in the knowledge that they are equal citizens – proudly go to Edirne Synagogue without having to hide their identity to worship of Shabbat and on religious holidays.

My wish, on the day that the Edirne Synagogue – a place of worship that is this important to both Turkish and world Jewry – is re-opened, is that our esteemed senior statesmen invite our coreligionists from Edirne who are currently living in different countries, particularly those within the Association of Turks within Israel, so that this important day maintains an air or festivity. With the hope that, even though political problems persist, just as it has been in different periods of our history it is us who extend the olive branch and that the doves of peace are released hand in hand… May the Edirne Synagogue be a blessing to us all!

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