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On the evening of Wednesday, November 28, 2018, in the event hall of the Archaeological Museum of Arethousa in Chalkida, the presentation of the second book "The history of the Jewish community of Chalkida since 586 BC" took place. until 2001 AD THE CEMETERY", by Mair-Mariou Maisis.
During the event, the Mayor of Halkidiki Christos Pagonis, the deputy regional governor of Sterea Hellas Fanis Spanos, the MP and former Minister Evangelos Apostolou and the president of the Association of Chalkidians Soroptimists Dimitra Papamichail addressed the event.
This was followed by keynote speeches on the rich and particularly important content of the book by Leos Gavrielides and Thrasyvoulos Papastratis, while a text was read by the archaeologist Amalia Karapaschalidou, who for personal reasons could not attend. The author also spoke about the book.
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of Georgia Gleoudis*
Mair Maisis is at the Synagogue of Chalkida willing to show anyone who passes through its door and wants to know more about the Jewish community, but also about the Jewish cemetery of Chalkida. Motionless and full of energy, he will begin to explain to me the architecture of the - Romanesque type - Synagogue.
The columns of our Synagogue bear witness to its antiquity. A large part of scholars consider the Synagogue of Chalkida to be the oldest in Europe and many believe that the first presence of Jews in Evia dates back to 586 BC. Around the Synagogue was the Jewish ghetto, i.e. the Jewish quarter where most Jews lived until the end of the Turkish occupation.
On Good Friday 1854, a great fire broke out which destroyed most of the Synagogue. Of course it was incendiary action. Almost all the Community's records, books, relics and manuscripts were destroyed. Only three Torah scrolls from the 13th & 14th centuries survived, which still exist today. The Synagogue was reconstructed in 1855 with a donation from the Duchess of Placentia. Fortunately today we do not have any phenomenon of anti-Semitism here in our city. Only sometimes they stick some stickers on the outside. A well-known Nazi organization. But we don't care. These are not serious things.
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The big celebrations took place again this year with grandeur in our small Community. In Ros Assana the Synagogue was officiated by Mr. Haim Ishakis with the help of Mr. Minas Levi. The Selichot and the regular service of the day were performed, as well as the Taslich in the afternoon.
Kippur was officiated by Rabbi Mr. Handel Mendel with the participation of a large number of people, members and guests. The Rabbi was accompanied to the function by Mr. Victor Borbolis, to whom we are very grateful. In the evening we celebrated Tanit in the courtyard of the Synagogue with sweets and refreshments, offered by the Handel family and the Community.
On the eve of Sukkot, Community members traditionally prepared the Sukkah. For two evenings, after the Arvit service, Mr. Ishakis taught Kiddush and dinner in the Sukkah, offered by the Community.
In anticipation of the holiday of Simcha Torah, we wholeheartedly wish health and family happiness to the Hatanim, etc. Abraham Catalan and Benjamin Cohen.
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On the three days of July 7, 8 & 9, an event was organized in Chalkida, by the Civic Association "To Kastro", with the theme "The Tristrato of Religions" with the kind support of the Municipality of Chalkida, the Holy Metropolis of Chalkida, the Israelite Community, as well as others city bodies,
I.K. Chalkidas responded to the call of the "To Kastro" association by keeping the Synagogue open and open for visitors throughout the three days. The response of the citizens of Chalkida was incredible and the attendance high, culminating in the afternoon of Saturday, July 8, where the president of the community, Mr. Solon Maisis, received and welcomed our fellow citizens with a short presentation on the subject. Afterwards, Mr. Mairis Maisis spoke to a packed Synagogue on the topic: "The history of the Jewish community in the area of the Castle". The event was graced by the presence of the Mayor of Chalkideon, Mr. Chr. Pagonis, representative of the Metropolis, representative of the Prefecture and representatives of organizations and associations of our city.
The next day, a visit was made to the Jewish Cemetery, where Mr. M. Maisis, in the presence of the Mayor of Chalkidea and the head of the Byzantine antiquities tax office in Evia, Ms. P. Kalamara, guided a crowd of citizens and answered questions that showed the interest and enthusiasm of the visitors therefore the opening of the Community. Ms. Kalamara promised further cooperation with the community due to the important Hellenistic and Byzantine finds in the Cemetery.
The events ended with the promise of time to repeat and expand the Association's initiative that aimed to promote the three religions, which coexist harmoniously in the city of Chalkida.
ISRAELI COMMUNITY OF CHALKIDA
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As every year, the festivities in Chalkida were the reason for relatives and friends to meet to celebrate together. For his celebration Ross Asana and Kippur the services were performed by the priest Mr. Chaim Ishaki and the rabbi Mr. Mendel Handel respectively.
His surprise Kippur was that El Nora Alilah was sung by two young children, the son of Rabbi Mendel Handel, Levi and Victor Samuel. At the end of the holiday, we broke the fast in the courtyard of the Synagogue with sweets offered by the Mendel family and refreshments offered by I.K. Chalkida.
Particularly honorable for our Community was the presence of the ambassador of Israel in Greece, Ms. Irit ben Abba, as well as Ms. Carol Mioni, who participated in the liturgy at Sukkot in the Synagogue, as well as in the ancestral table that followed which was held in the specially designed area of the Synagogue's courtyard, which was decorated with myrtles, reeds and fruit.