Letter from the ChairmanWelcome to the new website of the Arkadash – The Turkish Community in Israel.
The association was established by me and a group of friends young and older. Then, as today we thought that it is important to give the community a place in the pages of history. The Turkish Jewish community in Israel has contributed so much to the settlement of the state of Israel in her early days.
When the state of Israel was established it was important to produce the "TZABAR", with one language and one culture and to throw all the various cultures that the Olim brought with them from the Diaspora.
In those days it was probably important to create the "ISRAELI".
Today that I am a real Israeli, Hebrew-speaking, after 3 years service in the Israeli army, and without doubt a real Tzabar, it was important for me to learn and to know more about where I came from.
During journey to my past, searching for my roots over the Internet I found that there are no sources about the Turkish Jewish community in Israel, there was no center that will tell the community story for future generations.
There was no organization that produces cultural and social activities designed for the Turkish community; there is no organization that raises the culture, the Ladino language and the heritage of this wonderful community.
Therefore, since 2002 me and my friends' colleagues invest our efforts and time to correct this injustice.
I invite you to join the association, to participate in the association activities and if you wish to be a part of our volunteers group.
I invite you to join the mailing list, here on the right and get updates and news of the association, you can also subscribe to the website.
Eyal Peretz
