Synagogue Attacks in Crete


As Family Historians, we should always be concerned about historical sites and record retention. There have been two anti-Semitic attacks within the last few weeks on the Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Crete. At first, it seems, there wasn’t an immediate condemnation from the Greek community in Crete. Now, after the second attack, there apparently is an outcry from some Greek organizations against these actions. Links to comments below and a link to the special edition of Greek News - The Jews of Greece.

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Kathimerini – Tuesday January 19, 2010 - “Synagogue Attack Condemned”

“An attack by arsonists on Crete’s only remaining Jewish monument, the 17th-century Etz Hayyim Synagogue, was condemned yesterday, as fears were expressed about more anti-Semitic attacks.

The synagogue was attacked for the second time in 11 days early on Saturday, resulting in severe damage to the building and its contents. Nicholas Stavroulakis, the founder and director emeritus on the Jewish Museum of Greece and the man responsible for reconstructing the synagogue, descried in an e-mail text the extent of the destruction from the two fires. “On the night of January 5, the synagogue was attacked by arsonists and, in the course of a quite rabid fire, my office was destroyed, along with it some 1,800 books and the two computers, among other things.”……… Read the complete article

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Greek News Agenda – “Attack Condemned” – January 19, 2010

“The government on Monday strongly condemned the weekend arson attack at a historic synagogue in the Cretan port city of Hania, the second such incident within the past month.

Justice Minister Haris Kastanidis said that the incident is “unequivocally condemned as an act that does not reflect the Greek people’s attitudes, who abhor expressions of racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism.” No group has claimed responsibility for the anti-Semitic attack.”

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AHEPA Press Release - AHEPA Condemns Continued Anti-Semitic Attacks upon Synagogue in Hania, Crete - January 18, 2010

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Greek News Agenda: Special Issue – The Jews of Greece

- The Jews of Greece

- Thessaloniki, “Mother of Israel”

- After the Balkan Wars

- World War II and the Shoah

- Aftermath

- Today

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Good luck with your continued research.

Georgia Keilman nee Stryker (Stratigakos)

http://HellenicGenealogyGeek.com

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