The Jews of Greece

The Jews of Greece- Οι Εβραίοι της Ελλάδας

An exhibition of the Jewish Museum of Australia

This exhibition sheds light on the little-known history of the Greek Jews.

The Jews of Greece explores the history of one of the most ancient Jewish communities in the world. The works of photographer Emmanuel Santos and documentary filmmakers Carol Gordon and Natalie Cunningham, provide an insight into the life of Romaniote Jews, Sephardim (Jews of Spain) and the smaller groups of Ashkenazi Jews of Europe that constitute the Greek-Jewish community.

This community witnessed, experienced and influenced the beginnings of Christianity, the rise and fall of Empires and the creation of the Modern State. While the Holocaust left the community devastated, the ancient traditions and cultural practices of Greek Jews have been kept alive by the few who remain.

The Jew of Greece exhibition celebrates this ancient community, who despite facing almost total decimation in the Holocaust, have continued to survive.

Emmanuel Santos says: “It was a very interesting project due to the fact that it owes its history dating back to Hellenistic Greece. This was an alluring prospect for me as I never came across any remnants of a Jewish community this ancient.”

Carol Gordon has always felt a strong connection to Greece and the Greek people. She says: “I became passionate about bringing this story out of the dark, in honour of 87% of the Jewish population of Greece who were murdered in The Holocaust.”

This exhibition in Sydney is dedicated to the memory and generosity of the late Maurice Segura (Thessaloniki 1919 – Sydney 2017)

Sydney exhibition generously supported by:

Australian Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (AIHGS)
Sharon & Peter Ivany AM
Andrew S Kostopoulos
Dianne & Andrew Krulis – Krulis Commercial
Roz & Gary Levin
Ouzo of Plomari
Charmaine & Stanley Roth AM
Sandra & Barry Smorgon OAM
Peter Souleles
Simon Spyrou – Spy Art
The Toga Group
The Consulate General of Greece in Sydney

Read more about the history of Jews in Greece here.