Turkish Jewish Museum reopens after update

An updated and modernized version of the Museum of Turkish Jews has opened at the Neve ?alom Synagogue in IstanbulThe Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews has opened at Istanbul's Neve ?alom Synagogue with updated content that makes the most of state-of-the-art technology.

"You will see in the museum our cultural features from Spain or northern Europe. We tried to show in our museum that we were useful citizens," Moris Levi, the museum's president, said at a press conference at the museum on Feb. 25.

"We, the Sephardic Jews, do not need lavish structures in which to pray. A small, modest venue for 10 Jews is enough for us. However, Turkish Jews did their best to build the two biggest synagogues in this region, in Edirne and Neve ?alom, in 30-40 years. Why did they do it? Because they continued seeing their future on this land despite everything. Like our fathers and grandfathers told us for generations, they believed this land was the country of miracles. They thought they would be unhappy in another place," said Levi. 

As the grandchildren of the Prophet Abraham, Jews have lived on this land for 2,300 years, Levi said.

"The Quincentennial Foundation accepts 1492, as its beginning. It is the date when the Sephardic Jews were dismissed from Spain. Sultan Beyaz?d II, who sent their vessels and brought our ancestors to this land, showed a human duty ahead of his time. On the other hand, he thought that Jews would be very useful here," he said.

Levi said a big state could be formed with armies, but working and producing people such as artists, artisans, intellectuals, teachers and doctors were needed for the continuation of the state. 

"It is rumored that Sultan Bayezid II, referring to the...