19 December
Becoming Your Own Apprentice and Master - Independent Learning 
December 19, 2024 Becoming Your Own Apprentice and Master - Independent Learning
December 16, 2024 Movie Review: A Real Pain
December 12, 2024 The Address of the American Rare Book Collection "Library of Congress"
December 5, 2024 New Exhibition from the Museum of the Princes´ Islands
Hanukkah´s Last Night Celebrated All Together at Bebek Park
This year the last night of the Hanukkah Festival was celebrated with a ceremony organized at Bebek Park in Istanbul, all together by the members of the Turkish Jewish Community and the wider society. December 30, 2022
Ambassadors and representatives of many countries participated in the ceremony organized by the Turkish Jewish Community, where the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Irit Lillian, Deputy Governor of Istanbul Hasan Gözen, Mayor of Beşiktaş District Riza Akpolat, Mayor of Beyoğlu District Ali Haydar Yıidiz, and Mayor of Kadiköy District Şerdil Dara Odabaşi were also present.
While the Turkish Jewish Community's co-President Ishak Ibrahimzadeh, Quincentennial Foundation President Silvyo Ovadya, Şalom Newspaper's Editor-in-Chief Ivo Molinas, Şalom Newspaper's Publications Coordinator Virna Gümüşgerdan, Avi Alkaş, Faith Board Representatives and journalist Hakan Çelik were present at the event, Chief Rabbi of Turkey Rabbi Haleva, who could not participate in the ceremony due to his illness, joined via live broadcast.
During the evening which the theatre actor Yosi Mizrahi presented and Yosi Gabay was the DJ, the Turkish Jewish Community's co-President Ishak Ibrahimzadeh took the stand first. As he prayed the Hanukkah candles shall light the darkness in our world, he also wished the miracle of Hanukkah shall come true for the Jews under bombardment in Ukraine. Ibrahimzadeh lit the Hanukkah candles together with two Ukrainian children who had run from the war and taken refuge in Turkey with their mother.
Chief Rabbi Haleva who had to join the ceremony from his home, thanked all those participating in the evening and said "My heart is with you. I pray to God, these lights shall bring peace and serenity to the world."
The Hanukkah candles, this year, just like every year, were lit all together by the joining mayors, ambassadors and representatives of other countries, religious representatives, members and administrators of Jewish institutions and organizations, and most importantly a crowded society of children and young people.
Celebrating in public squares since 2015
The first Hanukkah celebration at a public location in Istanbul was at Ortaköy square in 2015. The Festival of Lights celebration continued in the following years at various other squares and parks in Istanbul.
Related News
5 December
New Exhibition from the Museum of the Princes´ Islands
A new photography exhibition, "The Islands Were Here Before Bodrum, Marmaris Came Along!" is opened by the Museum of the Princes´ Islands, at the Historical Ferry Pier in Büyükada.
14 November
"Humor on the Margins: Cartoons in the Turkish Jewish Newspaper Şalom" by Rakel P. Meşulam
Rakel P. Meşulam signed her first book "Humor on the Margins: Cartoons in the Turkish Jewish Newspaper Şalom (1947-2016)" at Schneidertempel Arts Center.
7 November
The "Ottoman and Turkish Ketubbot" Exhibition
The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews is opening an exhibition of Ketubbot (Jewish wedding contracts), some from forgotten corners of our homes, some as already discovered works of art, some from the walls of the collectors, some from the Chief Rabbinate Collection, on November 7th, at Schneidertempel Arts Center, after they have been cleaned and maintained.
24 October
Izzet Keribar´s "Journey of Colors" Exhibition at Istanbul Modern
Istanbul Modern, Turkey´s first modern and contemporary art museum, is preparing to host photography artist Izzet Keribar´s solo exhibition "Journey of Colors".
8 August
Kasadolu Draws Attention to the Increasing Hostility Towards Turkish Jews
The businessperson Doğan Kasadolu wrote a letter to AKP´s Ankara Member of Parliament Tuğrul Türkeş, drawing attention to the increasing anti-Semitism.
30 May
Annette Bat Mitzvah Club and Yoel Bar Mitzvah Club Year-End Ceremonies
The 2023-2024 "Collective Bat Mitzvah Ceremony" of the Annette Bat Mitzvah Club girls, founded in 2002 within the Chief Rabbinate of Turkey Education Commission (HEGKOM), was celebrated in the Neve Shalom Synagogue on Sunday, May 26th.
