Finifter Lecture: “Language as Identity: the Greek Romaniote Jews in the 20th Century” featuring Dr. Andreas Bouroutis

Wed, December 7, 2022 7:00 PM at JMC Library

Greece’s Romaniote Jews are among the oldest and least known Jewish communities of Europe. Living in Greece since before the Common Era, the Romaniotes adopted the Greek language and blended it with Hebrew words, forming a unique dialect in written and oral form. Worshiping in Hebrew and daily speaking in Greek they kept their traditions, customs and habits living along with the local Christian population. During the dark days of persecution and deportation, they kept their Greek identity and language even in the concentration camps.