Izmir Rabbinic Books Collection
A Reflection of the Community's Rich and Enduring History
Books hold immense value as witnesses to the past, preserving the legacy of great religious leaders who played a pivotal role in shaping the Izmir Jewish community and influencing the global Jewish community. The Izmir Rabbinic Books Collection, comprising approximately 2000 books dating back to the 17th century, is a treasure trove of knowledge and insight.
Within the pages of these books lie hidden gems: marginalia, handwritten comments, and inscriptions left by community members and renowned rabbis. These annotations provide a unique glimpse into the thoughts, beliefs, and daily lives of the Izmir Jewish community throughout history.
As custodians of this exceptional collection, experts from the National Library of Israel meticulously examine and evaluate each book. Their dedicated efforts are unlocking the secrets of these ancient tomes, shedding light on the intellectual and spiritual journey of the community and its leaders.
History
The collection, unknown to the general Jewish community in Turkey and the world, remained unpublicized until it was brought to the attention of Dina Eliezer, a Jewish educator and native of Izmir. In 1999, while assisting the Sephardic Jewish community in reviving neglected Jewish education for children, Dina Eliezer encountered a dire situation. Locked in a room within the Hahamhane, the central rabbinate house, the 2000 books faced imminent destruction. Water seeping through the walls and a collapsing roof had caused mold to grow on the books and shelves, with traces of insects finding refuge within the pages of every book.
The books were rescued from a myriad of abandoned schools, Yeshivot, and neglected synagogues. Izmir's Jewish community, historically vibrant and esteemed as one of the Sephardic world's intellectual and religious centers, boasted illustrious rabbis like Isaac and Abraham Palacci, Rabbi Benveniste, and Rabbi Escapa, who were native to and resided in Izmir.
After their rescue, Dina Eliezer, with the support of the community, diligently compiled a comprehensive list of the books, including details on their year and place of printing and their location in the library.
In the summer of 2022, all the books underwent examination again to uncover any marginalia, and pictures of 350 books were documented.
However, the Izmir repository, now housed on the third floor of what was once the Jewish Hospital, remains in a precarious state, threatened by physical decay, destruction, and the risk of vanishing. As a result, the community's leadership continuously seeks funding to improve the books' conditions and environment. Like many physical relics from Turkey's Jewish history, preserving the Izmir collection is of utmost importance, safeguarding the cultural heritage and knowledge it holds for future generations.
The books in the collection were printed in various cities, including Izmir, Istanbul, Ankara, Thessaloniki, Jerusalem, Bilgordo (Belgrade), Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Frankfurt, Zoltzbach, Livorno (Leghorn), Venice, Piorda, Amsterdam, Pressburg, Warsaw, Krakow, Vilna, Basdiliav, Monkatch, Brin, Slavitta, and Lick. The collection holds diverse literary treasures, reflecting the rich cultural exchange and intellectual interactions during that time.
In 2002, the Avi Chai Foundation conducted a thorough study on the heritage of the Jews of Izmir. As part of this research, they dedicated a day to exploring the depository, collecting valuable data that led to the publication of a comprehensive report. The report included information about select books from the collection and also provided a list of the printing houses that once thrived in Izmir:
• Abraham Ben Yedidiah Gabbai (1654)
• Yona Ashkenazi (1724).
• Yaakov Balanci (1756).
• Yaakov and his brother, sons of Rabbi Shmuel Ashkenazi (1855).
• Ben Zion Binyamin Rodino (1860).
• Isaac Shmuel de Sigura (1868).
• Aharon Yehoshua de Sigura (1870).
• Avraham Pontremoli and Yaakov Poly (1876).
• Hayim Avraham (1889).
The list of books from the collection can be found at İzmir JCC.
As for information about the marginalia, it is currently pending a report from the National Library of Israel.
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Dina Eliezer is a passionate Jewish educator with over 30 years of experience, dedicated to celebrating Judaism with both children and adults. She served as the Educational Director for prominent congregational schools in Cherry Hill, NJ, and Dallas, TX, where she designed innovative programs and curricula, earning the schools accreditation and the Framework of Excellence Award twice.
Her commitment to inclusivity led her to initiate and design a Special Needs program, receiving the esteemed Solomon Schechter Gold Award. Thanks to this program, numerous children with special needs in her community were able to receive a meaningful Jewish education.
In a challenging political environment, Dina played a crucial role in establishing an after-school Jewish education program for 130 children in Izmir, and served as their consultant for five years.
Dina's academic journey includes attending various universities across three continents. She holds a BA degree in Foreign Languages from Edison College and an MA degree in Jewish Education with a focus on Administration from Gratz College. At the Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies in Chicago, under the guidance of the renowned Professor Byron Sherwin Z”L, she pursued classes towards a Doctorate degree in Jewish Studies. Dina has a deep passion for Jewish spirituality and mysticism, conducting numerous adult classes on these subjects, as well as Hebrew and Text study.
Her significant contributions have been recognized with awards, including the gold Medal award from the Community of Izmir for preserving their Jewish heritage. She also received a Leadership award from the JCRC for her exemplary work in initiating, creating, and leading the Yom Hazikaron programs in the community for over a decade.
In 2010, Dina created a unique Heritage Tour program that united her teachers, community leaders, and 184 IDF officers in Poland and Israel. Inspired by this experience, she produced short documentary videos titled: “Why Israel Matters”.
Dina Eliezer is a published author, having contributed the chapter titled: “The Rabbinic Library of Izmir, A new encounter and an attempt of preservation” in the book titled: “The Jewish Pearl of the Aegean: Izmir.”
Born in Izmir, Turkey, and raised in Israel, Dina currently resides in Philadelphia, PA, with her husband Edi. She is a proud mother of three children and three grandchildren.
Contact: dinae11259@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dina-eliezer-34869b48
