20 October
Mindy Sterling: A Life in Laughter and Goodness 
October 20, 2025 Mindy Sterling: A Life in Laughter and Goodness
October 20, 2025 A postmodern leader analysis and the Nobel Peace Prize
October 17, 2025 "ANTAKYA: From Past to Present" Exhibition Opened
October 16, 2025 Turkish Jewish Community´s Message of Gratitude to President Erdoğan
October 6, 2025 One Battle After Another - A Cinematic Rebellion
Buyukada, Once The ‘Jewish Island’ Of Turkey, Still Keeps Its Traditions
When I first visited the island of Buyukada, about an hour from Istanbul, it was on a ferry chartered by the Jewish community. That was about 25 years ago. It was a summer weekend, when it seemed the entire community of Istanbul would decamp to this island retreat to get away from the sweltering summers of the city. Think Coney Island back in the 50s, but in this case, everyone spoke Turkish.
Buyukada, the largest of the Princes’ islands in the Sea of Marmara, is no longer “the Jewish island.” Mainly because there are far fewer Jews in Istanbul, owing to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the hostility by the Erdogan government toward Israel. Jews, who arrived from Spain after the Inquisition and Expulsion, found Turkey a hospitable home for over 500 years. That era is drawing to an end, though for a substantial remnant, Buyukada is still a favorite summer destination.
Ferry from Istanbul entering Buyukada island. Courtesy of Richard Nowitz
With its graceful Ottoman mansions (kosks) and villas (konaks) behind walls of bougainvillea and ivy, and mountain peaks overlooking the Sea of Marmara, it’s easy to understand what attracted affluent and middle class Jews, Greeks and other minorities to Buyukada. There are no cars or motor vehicles allowed. Travel around the island is by foot, bicycle, or the popular horse-drawn carriages – modeled on 19th Century phaetons – whose clop-clop on the cobblestone roads seems like a soundtrack of the island.
There were three active synagogues on the island. Now, only one, Hessed L’Avraham, the domed shul with an enormous chandelier that is the venue for Shabbat services. There is also a Jewish beach club, a kosher butcher and restaurant for the community.
My Turkish hosts who invited us to Buyukada back in the 80s would not have anticipated the changes that came to the island. Instead of seeing Jewish friends and neighbors from Istanbul at the cafes around the iconic Clock Tower Square and beach clubs, the island now draws Saudi vacationers and more traditional Turks, the women dressed with headscarves.
Still, as long as there are Jews in Istanbul, Buyukada probably will remain the local vacation retreat. Nostalgia for community, a short ferry ride, and an island seemingly lost in time are a strong incentive to visit Buyukada.
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17 October
"ANTAKYA: From Past to Present" Exhibition Opened
The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews in Istanbul opens its doors to a meaningful exhibition.
16 October
Turkish Jewish Community´s Message of Gratitude to President Erdoğan
The Turkish Jewish Community published a message of gratitude to President Erdoğan on the X platform for his great contributions to the Gaza Peace.
26 September
Now it´s time to go to the polls
The Turkish Jewish Chief Rabbi Election will take place on September 28th and 29th.
21 July
JOYBeing: A Guide Full of Hope for Those Lost in the Chaos of Life
JOYBeing by Gila Şeritçioğlu and Ann van Eron, published in English, is on the shelves by Gözlem Kitabevi.
12 June
The Greek Orphanage In Büyükada will Become a Hotel
The Fener Greek Patriarchate decided to convert the historical Greek Orphanage in Büyükada into a hotel.
5 December
New Exhibition from the Museum of the Princes´ Islands
A new photography exhibition, "The Islands Were Here Before Bodrum, Marmaris Came Along!" is opened by the Museum of the Princes´ Islands, at the Historical Ferry Pier in Büyükada.
