Jews in Belgrade (1521–1942)

HOW PEOPLE ONCE LIVED MODERN HISTORY

Čedomila Marinković

JEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942) Discover over 400 years of Jewish life in Belgrade!

Find out: ♦ Who Sephardic, Ashkenazi and Romaniote Jews are ♦ How Jewish houses and gardens looked like ♦ Where Belgrade’s famous synagogues were located ♦ What Belgrade yeshiva was and why it was important ♦ Which rituals marked religious coming of age ♦ A few Sephardic proverbs ♦ About kosher diet and Jewish traditional dishes.

9 788652 907830

Čedomila Marinković ♦ ЈEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942)

HOW PEOPLE ONCE LIVED edition describes everyday lives of people from the central Balkans from prehistoric times to modern day. Texts by renowned experts, lavish illustrations, treasures from museums’ collections and archives, but also results of archaeological studies, will unveil an exciting past, full of new and unknown details.

JEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942)

CONTENTS

Arrival of Jews in Belgrade and the Balkans 4

Anteriya and tukadu 13 Challah, pastel and cholent 14 People of the book 16 The Golden Age 18 Migrations and destruction 19 Moving towards Belgrade 22 Officials, benefactors, innovators 23 Jews in Zemun 26 Neighbours who are no more 28 Index 32 Timeline

Director Ljiljana Marinković, M.Sc. HOW PEOPLE ONCE LIVED Modern history

♦ Three synagogues and one Jewish school are active in Belgrade ♦ 1644. Belgrade yeshiva is founded ♦ 1688. Jewish community gets deported to Osijek and Mikulov

♦ 1717–1739. Second arrival of Ashkenazi Jews to Belgrade ♦ 1739. Belgrade is conquered by the Ottomans, a portion of Jews relocates to Zemun ♦ 1806. After Belgrade is liberated by Karađorđe and his revolutionaries, Jews and Ottomans are subject to forced conversion

Author Čedomila Marinković, Ph.D.

♦ 1819. The old synagogue in Dörtyol undergoes reconstruction ♦ 1837. Royal Serbian Press begins printing books in Hebrew

Illustrator Siniša Banović Editor Milena Trutin Design Dušan Pavlić Translator Ana Brdar

♦ 1907. Bet Israel Synagogue is consecrated ♦ 1912–1918. Jews participate in Serbian liberation wars and WWI ♦ 1926. Ashkenazi Synagogue is built and consecrated, Ashkenazi Religious Educational Community Center is built

Copyright © Kreativni centar 2020

а) Јевреји -- Историја -- Београд -- 1521-1942 б) Јевреји -- Културна историја -- Београд -- 1521-1942 в) Свакодневни живот -- Јевреји -- Београд -- 1521-1942 COBISS.SR-ID 283177484

♦ 1869. Elementary school (cheder) opens in Kosmajska Street.

Jews begin serving in the Serbian military

♦ 1894. Benefactor Women’s Society is founded

Year 2020

ISBN 978-86-529-0783-0

♦ 1861. Expulsion of Jews from Serbia

♦ 1888. Rights of Jewish citizens are guaranteed by the Constitution

Copies 500

MARINKOVIĆ, Čedomila, 1969 Jews in Belgrade : (1521-1942) / Čedomila Marinković ; [illustrator Siniša Banović] ; [translator Ana Brdar]. - 1st ed. - Belgrade : Kreativni centar, 2020 (Kragujevac : Grafostil). - 32 str. : ilustr. ; 24 cm. - (How People Once Lived. Modern History) Тираж 500. - Registar.

♦ 1860. Elementary school (mildar) opens in Dörtyol

♦ 1879. The Serbian Jewish Singing Society is founded

Print Grafostil

94(=411.16)(497.11 Београд)”1521/1942”(02.053.2.025.2) 930.85(=411.16)(497.11 Београд)”1521/1942”(02.053.2.025.2) 316.728(=411.16)(497.11)”1521/1942”(02.053.2.025.2)

♦ 1846. Mass arrival of Jews in Belgrade after ban on settling down in Šabac, Smederevo and Požarevac

♦ 1874. Jewish Women’s Society is founded

Technical editor Marko Huber

CIP – Каталогизација у публикацији Народна библиотека Србије, Београд

HOW PEOPLE ONCE LIVED MODERN HISTORY

♦ Ashkenazi Jews move to Belgrade from southern Hungary. Sephardic Jews arrive from Spain by way of Thessaloniki, settling on the banks of the Danube

JEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942) First edition

19th century

At the bazaar 10

Publisher KREATIVNI CENTAR 8 Gradištanska, Belgrade Phone: +381 11 38 20 464, +381 11 38 20 483, +381 11 24 40 659 www.kreativnicentar.rs, E-mail: info@kreativnicentar.rs

20th century

The Jewish quarter 6

18th century 17th century 16th century

TIMELINE

Jewish diaspora 2

♦ 1928. Jewish Home is built – Sephardic Religious Educational Community ♦ 1941. April – bombing of Belgrade; introduction of anti-Jewish measures; August – Topovske Šupe concentration camp is opened; December – deportation of women, children and the elderly to the Jewish concentration camp in Zemun at Staro Sajmište (Old Fairgrounds) ♦ 1942. March – gas van is dispatched to Belgrade; liquidation of staff and patients from the Jewish hospital; May – after murdering more than 6,300 people, Jewish concentration camp in Zemun at the Old Fairgrounds ceases to operate; July – Jews from Zemun are deported to Jasenovac concentration camp

HOW PEOPLE ONCE LIVED

MODERN HISTORY

Čedomila Marinković

JEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942)

Jewish diaspora After Romans conquered Jerusalem in 1st century CE, Jews were forced to flee Israel and settle in other parts of the world. Over time, three groups distinguished themselves in Europe: Romaniote, Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. Jewish population would remain dispersed until the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.

Menorah, a six-branched candelabrum Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Vespasian conquered Jerusalem in the summer of 70 CE and destroyed its Second Temple. After having lived in Jerusalem for over ten centuries, Jews were forced to flee their land and migrate to Europe and other parts of the world. From this moment until the State of Israel was founded in 1948, Jews had to live in galut or exile. oins found in C Jerusalem at the time of destruction of the Second Temple

elief depicting a menorah, located R on the inner panel of the Arch of Titus in Rome, built to commemorate Roman conquest of Jerusalem he most established paths of Jewish T dispersal in the 2nd century led to the Balkans, Central Europe, France and Spain. In spite of dispersion, Jerusalem was never fully abandoned. Jews have been continuously living there since 10th century BCE to the present day

Belgrade Istanbul

Jerusalem

EXPULSION FROM SPAIN A decree issued in 1492 by the Spanish monarchs Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon ordered expulsion of all Jews from Castile and Aragon. As a result of this pogrom, around 200,000 Jews fled to Portugal, and later to North Africa and countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Others migrated to Italy and the Ottoman Empire. Spanish economy suffered a tremendous blow in the wake of Jewish expulsion.

The Alhambra Decree

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Many exiled Jews took keys to their homes, hoping they would one day return.

Ashkenazi Jews Venice

Sephardic Jews

Belgrade

o mSplit a n Dubrovnik Istanbul iote Jews Thessaloniki

R

Over time, three distinct groups formed within the Jewish diaspora – Romaniote, Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. Romaniotes, the oldest Jewish community in Europe, settled on the territory of the Roman Empire, later the Byzantium, as early as the beginning of the new millennium.

Ashkenazi Jews populated Central and Eastern Europe, as well as France and Germany.

Sephardim are Jews from Spain and Portugal.

Jerusalem

Romaniotes spoke Judaeo-Greek, Ashkenazi Jews spoke Yiddish (Germanbased language infused with Hebrew and Slavic words), while Sephardic Jews used Judaeo-Spanish or Ladino (medieval form of Spanish with words taken from Hebrew, later Turkish and Serbian).

Paths of Jewish migrations after the expulsion from Spain

Sarajevo Haggadah – illuminated Hebrew manuscript originating from 14th-century Catalonia, currently kept in Sarajevo

Judaeo-Greek and Yiddish utilise Hebrew alphabet, whereas Ladino can be written in Hebrew alphabet, but also in Latin and even Cyrillic script!

Due to centuries of life in hostile environments, Ashkenazi Jews developed humour as a specific form of resistance to the persecution they faced. Over time, they would also create a unique form of instrumental music called klezmer.

Klezmer musicians, etching

Unlike Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardic Jews who lived in Ottoman territories were more traditional and carefully preserved their Spanish heritage in form of language, female names and cuisine. They expressed wisdom through a myriad of proverbs, and nurtured lyrical tradition through ballades known as Sephardic romances.

Cultural differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews were pronounced to such extent that marriage between members of two communities would be considered “mixed” until World War II.

Sephardic proverbs: An empty sack does not stand upright.

Even honey makes you sick in exaggeration.

Good always comes with a broken head.

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Arrival of Jews in Belgrade and the Balkans Pogroms of Jews that occurred throughout the history and across the European continent triggered numerous Jewish migrations. In the early 16th century, Ashkenazi Jews arrived in Belgrade from southern Hungary, followed by Sephardic Jews, who settled in this region after expulsion from Spain. By the end of the 16th century, Sephardim grew to be the largest Jewish community in Belgrade.

The first mention of Belgrade in relation to Jews appears in a letter from 950, sent to the Khazar Khan by Hasdai ibn Shaprut, counsellor to Abd ar-Rahman III, Caliph of Cordoba. From this document, it is apparent that Jews had already been living among Slavs near the lower Danube at the time.

Ottoman conquest of Belgrade in 1521

Ashkenazi Jews settled in Belgrade, a major hub at the time, at the beginning of the 16th century, after having been expelled from Szeged and southern Hungary. Sephardim arrived some time later via Thessaloniki, in mid-16th century, following their expulsion from Spain. It is estimated that around 1,200 Jewish families arrived in Belgrade during this period.

Contemporary travel writers noted that Italian and German Jews had also been living in Belgrade, and that each of these groups had its own synagogue.

To this day, one of the former Jewish quarter’s main streets, which housed the synagogue, the school and the ritual bath, is called Solunska (Thessaloniki) Street.

After expulsion from Spain, at the invitation of Sultan Bayezid II, Sephardic Jews settled in the Ottoman territories, particularly Istanbul, Izmir, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Bitola-Monastir and Belgrade.

Sultan Bayezid II

Jews in Thessaloniki in the early 20th century

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By the late 16th century, Sephardim were Belgrade’s largest Jewish community and would account for 80% of the city’s Jewish population until its destruction in World War II. The predominant language of Jews in Belgrade was Judaeo-Spanish or Ladino.

Number of Ashkenazi Jews in Belgrade fluctuated throughout the history: it increased during periods of Austrian rule over Belgrade (1717-1739 and 1788-1791), and dropped when the city was taken over by the Ottomans.

Even though Ashkenazi were Belgrade’s first Jewish residents, the community would develop at a considerably later date, in mid-19th century. Compared to its Sephardic counterpart, this community was much smaller, albeit wealthier. Since mid-19th century, it was largely Belgrade’s Ashkenazi Jews who were at the forefront of country’s Europeanisation and modernisation.

First Ashkenazi religious educational community was founded in 1869. Today, the Ashkenazi Synagogue is located in 19 Maršala Birjuzova Street, at the site of the former National Theatre. It was built in 1926 and is currently the only active synagogue in Belgrade.

Ashkenazi Synagogue before World War II

Bond for the construction of the Ashkenazi Synagogue ata’s Home, seat M of the Sephardic Religious Educational Community, was built in 1928 Igniat Schlang, Rabbi of the Ashkenazi Synagogue in the interwar period The only Romaniote from Belgrade at the beginning of the 20th century was Matatya (Mata) Levy, benefactor who funded the construction of the Sephardic Religious Educational Community.

5

The Jewish quarter In the period between the Ottoman conquest and the end of the 16th century, Belgrade underwent rapid development, and its population was steadily increasing. The city was divided into mahallahs (quarters), which were home to various ethnic groups.

JEWS, SUBJECTS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE Ottoman laws classified citizens according to their faith. Muslims made up the ruling class; everyone else who held belief in one God – Jews and Christians – was categorised as dhimmi, the “tolerated” or second-class citizens who were obligated to pay tax. They were granted religious autonomy and the right to live according to their own laws in designated parts of the city.

Prior to the Ottoman conquest, Jewish community in Belgrade was modest in size, settling mostly along the banks of the River Sava. Their houses were built out of wood and mud. This area is also where the earliest recorded Jewish cemetery was located. After a massive fire in 1560, which burned down many houses, shops and warehouses, Jews relocated to the slopes along the Danube, forming a neighbourhood that would be known until World War II as the Jewish quarter – Yali.

At the time when Jews began settling in Yali (from Turkish yali, meaning “shore”), it had already been populated by Muslims and other residents, likely from Dubrovnik. Even though Yali wasn’t the ideal place to live – its proximity to the river made it prone to floods – the neighbourhood had its advantages. It was in the vicinity of the town’s fortress and main market, making it important for trade activities, the source of livelihood for the majority Belgrade’s Jews.

anukkiah, an eightH branched candelabrum used during Hanukkah Much like other parts of the Ottoman Empire, Belgrade did not have a ghetto, i.e. a neighbourhood inhabited

by Jews that was segregated with ramparts, moats and gates. Instead, Jews lived in a certain quarter or mahallah.

J evrejska (Jewish) Street is the oldest one in Belgrade whose name hasn’t been changed to this day All of the major Jewish institutions were situated in the quarter – synagogues, mikveh (ritual bath), school and ritual slaughterhouse.

It is also believed that the Jewish cemetery was located nearby.

T he news on floods in Yali, Sephardic Religious Community Herald

The old Belgrade synagogue El Kal Viejo (El kal viježu) was located in the central part of the Jewish quarter in the neighbourhood of Dörtyol (from Turkish, meaning crossroads).

It was probably constructed after 1690 and demolished after World War II

Traditional family life among Jews in Belgrade was characterised by strictly defined roles. The man of the family represented it to the outside world: at the bazaar, before God and the law. He had to provide for the family, pray at the synagogue and be its representative before local authorities. As a result, Jewish men spoke multiple languages – in addition to Hebrew and Ladino, they often knew Serbian and Turkish.

ircumcision, illustration from a book C on Jewish customs, Venice, 1600

Jewish ritual bath, mikveh, was situated in a repurposed Turkish hammam Families always got together at Shabbat (day of rest), during religious holidays and ceremonies celebrating various milestones (circumcision, coming of age, engagements, weddings).

Ketubah, marriage contract Marriage was arranged by parents, which often led to family rifts and even tragedies. Women’s material status was determined by their dowry.

Married women were protected by ketubah, marriage contract which guaranteed material safety. In some cases, they were even allowed to request marriage termination.

J ewish wedding in Dörtyol around 1930

Chaim S. Davicho published stories about Yali in Serbian literary magazines Otadžbina (Homeland) and Delo (Artwork)

Chaim S. Davicho (1854-1918), writer and diplomat, often described marriage arrangements between Belgrade Jews in his collection titled Stories from Yali (Priče sa Jalije).

7

Spice box with a stem; the scent of burning spices (besamim) marks the end of Shabbat

Mezuzah

Houses in Yali were usually built in oriental style; they were on one or two floors, and had tile-covered roofs, verandas and enclosed balconies, much like the Ottoman houses. They were characteristically clean; according to Jewish ritual laws, washing hands and maintaining hygiene of one’s body and home were especially important. All rooms had a mezuzah on the right side of the doorway, a ritual object containing inscription with a prayer.

Indoor kitchens were uncommon; women cooked and baked using communal stoves. They also did laundry together.

Virtually every house had its own spacious garden full of flowers – tulips, roses, lilacs and jasmine trees. Women and girls spent most of their time in the gardens, doing house chores, socialising and relaxing. Married women were expected not to leave the house unless they had a good reason. Connected gardens were one of Yali’s unique features; one could go from one end of the quarter to the other without ever stepping out on the street. Street-facing side was lined with shops that had shutters called ćepenci (kepenk in Turkish), which functioned both as doors and platforms for presenting goods.

The Jewish quarter (known as Čifutana in Turkish) included present-day Jevrejska (Jewish), Solunska (Thessaloniki), Visokog Stevana and Braće Baruh Streets.

Prior to World War I, Yali was also home to the New Synagogue, located at the corner of Jevrejska and Solunska Streets.

Shop with ćepenak in Yali

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WOMAN, QUEEN OF THE HOME Women ruled the household and day-to-day life. They took care of large families, children and the elderly, prepared meals, and took care of household members’ health and hygiene.

Bazaar to Sephardic men was what kurtiju (courtyard) was to Sephardic women – the centre of everyday life. This where they did laundry, prepared food, exchanged stories, arranged marriages and educated children.

Prikantera – traditional healer

Traditional healers who used herbs were called prikanteras. They helped Sephardic women with keeping everyone’s health in check, while komadres (midwives) assisted in childbirth. Women were responsible for raising female children, who did not attend school but learned about life from their many tias (aunts) and nonas (grandmothers). Until mid-19th century, Sephardic women in Belgrade spoke exclusively in Ladino.

Sephardic proverbs Woman is the queen of the home.

A woman is only married from evening until morning.

Women lighting candles at Shabbat, illustration from a book on Jewish customs, Venice, 1600

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Cleaning the house in preparation for Passover, Golden Haggadah, 14th century Women’s pious duties included keeping the food clean, maintaining cleanliness of marriage and lighting candles at Shabbat.

HOW PEOPLE ONCE LIVED MODERN HISTORY

Čedomila Marinković

JEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942) Discover over 400 years of Jewish life in Belgrade!

Find out: ♦ Who Sephardic, Ashkenazi and Romaniote Jews are ♦ How Jewish houses and gardens looked like ♦ Where Belgrade’s famous synagogues were located ♦ What Belgrade yeshiva was and why it was important ♦ Which rituals marked religious coming of age ♦ A few Sephardic proverbs ♦ About kosher diet and Jewish traditional dishes.

9 788652 907830

Čedomila Marinković ♦ ЈEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942)

HOW PEOPLE ONCE LIVED edition describes everyday lives of people from the central Balkans from prehistoric times to modern day. Texts by renowned experts, lavish illustrations, treasures from museums’ collections and archives, but also results of archaeological studies, will unveil an exciting past, full of new and unknown details.

JEWS IN BELGRADE (1521–1942)