History of the Monastir Community
Monastir in the 19th century
This is the story of a community of many years and a multitude of virtues, a community that did not allow poverty or other troubles to disturb its Jewish traditions, the story of a community that was almost completely destroyed.
Jews expelled from Spain who settled in Monastir found a small Jewish community there. Throughout its existence, Monastir's Jews maintained ties with other Jewish communities across the Ottoman Empire, with the town’s rabbis gaining particular prominence. The community grew steadily, comprising over 10,000 souls by the beginning of the 20th century; however, most of them emigrated from the town before World War II. Despite the grueling conditions and internal strife, the Jews of Monastir were diligent in their charitable support of one another.
This is the history of a community that once was, and is no longer. These are the stories of the Jews of Monastir.
