For more than 500 years, the Jewish community in Turkey has been self-sufficient. It has always had the means to support itself and sustain Jewish communal life, including services for the elderly and Jewish schools. Many members of the Jewish community have lost their livelihoods in the wake of the country’s severe economic crisis and the Turkish Government does not provide social assistance.

JDC is currently:

• Helping the Turkish Jewish community cope with the economic situation while remaining as financially independent as possible.
• Providing technical assistance to the community in its continuing effort to upgrade communal institutions and services.
• Facilitating ongoing contacts with other Jewish communities worldwide.

To learn the details of JDC’s response to the community’s current needs, click on JDC’s Response.

2006