Turkish Jewish Community´s Honorary President Bensiyon Pinto Lost His Life
Bensiyon Pinto, the first and only Honorary President of the Turkish Jewish Community, has lost his life.
From his early years, Bensiyon Pinto dedicated his life to his family, friends, community, and country. His involvement in the Turkish Jewish Community started in 1954 as a founding member of Yildirim Spor Kulubu (Yildirim Sports Club). In 1976, he became the head of the Finance Committee of the Turkish Jewish Community and then the Vice President of the Chief Rabbinate of Turkey from 1979 until 1984. After a break in active participation in the administrative body of Turkey’s Jewish Community, he assumed the role of the President of the Turkish Jewish Community in 1989. He served as the President of the Turkish Jewish Community for a total of 10 years in various periods from 1989 to 2003.
After completing his duty as the President of the Turkish Jewish Community, he was awarded the first and only title of 'Honorary President of the Turkish Jewish Community'. Following his tenure, he wrote his memoirs in a book titled 'My Life as a Turkish Jew' published in 2008. His book which was written in Turkish has been translated into German and English.
Bensiyon Pinto, who had always played a great role in the continuity of social unity and solidarity in Turkey, was always in close and sincere relations with the people managing and directing Turkish politics. Throughout his life, Pinto had made it a principle for himself to carry out his works and studies in line with introducing the Republic of Turkey to the world in a correct way.