The Jewish community of Xanthi

The Jewish community of Xanthi, although small in number, played a crucial role in the development of the city. The first Jewish families seem to have settled in the city in the second half of the 19th century, when the urban centers of Thrace attracted large numbers of economic migrants. The community grew rapidly and became actively involved in the economic and commercial development of the city, with “anonymous” professionals (like the watercolor peddler) and important figures, such as Isaac Daniel, standing out and making donations to build the synagogue and the community club. Unfortunately, World War II and the events of the Holocaust resulted in none of the 526 Jewish residents, who resided in the city in March 1943, returning from the concentration camps.

Creator: Uknown (1852-1857)
Source: Aikaterini Laskaridi Foundation Library collection