New York Jews to Hold a Memorial Service for the Victims of the Istanbul Synagogue Bombings

New York Sephardic community to hold a memorial service for the victims of the 2003 Istanbul synagogue bombings.

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 16, 2005 -- The International Society for Sephardic Progress and Mahazike Tora of New York will be holding a memorial service November 21, 2005 in memory of those who were killed by the double bombing attacks against the synagogues in Istanbul two years ago.

On November 15, 2003, Istanbul witnessed two horrific suicide bomb attacks. On this day, two nearly simultaneous car-bomb attacks targeted Istanbul synagogues, killing at least 24 people, (including both Jews and Muslims) and wounding more than 255. The Neve Shalom synagogue, which sustained major damage, was the scene of an earlier attack in 1986, when Palestinian Arab terrorists entered the building, murdering 22 Jews and wounding six others on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, in the middle of prayer.

The double bombing in 2003 was one of peacetime Turkey’s worst episodes of violence. A Turkish cell with links Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the four attacks, and 69 people have since gone on trial for their suspected roles in the bombings. Throughout the ordeal, the Turkish government stood by the Jewish community, coming to their aid and providing them with assistance during the recovery.

The memorial has been arranged by Mahazike Tora of New York, a program for Turkish Jews in the New York area, as well as others who would like to learn about Jewish traditions and culture of the Jews from the former Ottoman Empire. Sponsored by the International Society for Sephardic Progress, Mahazike Tora strives to educate and provide information for Jews who are descendant from Turkish lands including Turkey, Rhodes, the Balkans and others former Ottoman territories.

In advance of the memorial, Rabbi Nissim Elnecave of the International Society for Sephardic Progress stated:

"Many don’t remember, but New York was home to some 25,000 Ottoman Turkish Jews that had arrived in the early twentieth century. The remnant of the Turks who still live here, as well as those which came of late, together, wish to pay their respects to those who we lost during the bombings, as well as those who were wounded."

The memorial will take place Monday, November 21, 2005 in Brooklyn, New York and is open to the public. The evening event will include a brief prayer service, a slide show of photos from after the bombing, a reading of the victim’s names, and discussion. Refreshments will be served and there is no charge. The event will take place at the Sephardic Institute Synagogue 511 Avenue R, Brooklyn, New York 11229. Call 347-350-7695 or visit www.isfsp.org for more information and details.

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