Page 9 - Roxanne Aubrey Marina

recognized as a legal entity under public law, and has a 20-member assembly chosen by general election every four years. Committees elected by Jewish community councilmen
are responsible for specific sectors of the community, including cemetery, synagogues, schools, and welfare. The community’s infrastructure includes a Jewish primary school, nursery school, summer camp, elder care home, social and athletic clubs, and youth centers--all dedicated to keeping Jewish culture alive in Greece. The community offers subsidies to less privileged members
of the community, as well as a loan fund for businesspeople and small industry owners.
Several smaller organizations are dedicated
to specific causes. The Ladino Society, established in 1999 to contribute to research in Jewish studies and Sephardic culture and
to promote interest in the Ladino language, holds conferences to teach Ladino to young members of the community, sponsors new publications about Judeo-Espanol culture, and is involved in creating a new library.
Athens has a small but vibrant Jewish community as well, with a similar structure The Jewish community elects a General Assembly of 50 people, who elect a Board of Directors. As in Thessaloniki, there are numerous special-purpose committees, completely run by volunteers, which offer valuable services to the members of the community. There is one full-time primary Jewish school with more than 100 children enrolled, a cemetery, an old-age home, youth and women’s organizations, and social activities.
Although the Jewish communities of Greece are well organized, they face several obstacles. Anti-Semitism continues to grow throughout the country. Greece’s economic crisis has caused some citizens to commit hate crimes against minorities, including Jews, blaming them for the country’s economic hardships. Activists in Greece are working to prevent
this type of behavior. The country’s unstable financial condition has also had an impact
on the ability of the Jewish communities to fund all of their activities. Donations have decreased as taxes have increased.
Greece currently has a very good relationship with Israel. In 2010, trade between Greece and Israel totaled about $500 million, and was expected to grow. Jewish schools throughout Greece focus on teaching students about Israel and finance the studies of their Hebrew teachers in Israel. Greek-Jewish communities organize events focused on Israeli arts, sciences, politics, and the Middle East conflict.
Through our partners The Jewish Agency
and JDC, Federations are helping the Jewish community care for its most vulnerable members, connect with Israel and develop
a new generation of leaders. Despite some economic hardships, the Jewish community
of Greece—with its well-organized structure and strong focus on Israel, and with a helping hand from the North American Jewish community and from Israel—is positioned to meet the needs of its members today and into the future.
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