I'm Jewish and live in the midwest. My parents are from Europe and whenever we go overseas I like to visit the jewish neighborhoods and synagogues. After seeing all the famous churches and cathedrals it just seems fair to scope out something I can relate to. And we meet some wonderful people. The Marais in Paris and the Ghetto in Venice are 2 of my favorites. This June we are going to Turkey and we would like to visit the jewish neighborhood in Istanbul, but I hear you need special permission to visit a synagogue there. We try not to use tours, we like being on our own, but will if thats the only way to get in. Anyone out there have any info that can help us? Thanks.

It is true that you must prearrange to visit the synagogue in Istanbul; I think you have to send a copy of your passport or something like this. I was told this could only be done with a tour. You might inquire with the conceirge at your hotel or a tour company such as Troy Tours to see if they can make arrangements for you. Let us know what you find out

Mary: <BR>On a quick search of 'Jews in Turkey' I was able to come up with this info. I suspect that either the newspaper or monthly journal is available on-line and they may be able to direct you on who to contact to be able to visit a synagogue. <BR>------------------------- <BR>Some 25,000 Jews live in Turkey out of a total population of over 60 million. <BR>The great majority of Jews live in Istanbul, but there are also communities in <BR>Izmir and in several other cities, including Ankara. More than 95 percent of <BR>the Jews are Sephardim. <BR>The Jewish community is represented by its Chief Rabbinate, which is <BR>headed by the Haham Bashi. There are about 30 synagogues in Turkey, <BR>more than half of them in Istanbul, where there are also Jewish schools. The <BR>community publishes a weekly newspaper in Turkish and Ladino, Shalom, <BR>and a monthly journal, Tiryaki. <BR> <BR> <BR>http://www.amyisrael.co.il/europe/turkey/ <BR> <BR>ISTANBUL <BR>Chief Rabbinate: Rabbi David Asseo, Yemenici Sokak, 23, Tunel 80050 Beyoglu. <BR>Tel: 293-8794/95 <BR>Community Centre: Buyuk Hendek, Sokak. No. 61, Galata. Tel: 293.7566. <BR>Synagogues: <BR>There are several old synagogues in the Balat and Haskoy areas which are worth a visit. <BR> <BR>Ashkenazi Cong., 37 Yuksek Kaldirim. Tel: 244-2975 <BR>Italian Cong., 29 Okcu Musa Caddesi, Galata. Tel: 293-7784. <BR>Neve Shalom, 61 Buyuk Hendek Caddesi, near the Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi). Tel: 293-7566. <BR>Sisli Syn., 4 Efe St., Osman Bey. Tel: 240-6599. <BR> <BR>The syn. at the summer resort of Buukadalsland is open from June to Sept. inclusive, as well as for the High Holydays. <BR> <BR>

Thanks to Nancy and Helperbee. I'm printing out the info you provided and it sounds like if I need more then that, we're not going to get into a synagogue! Thanks again, Mary

Several years ago I visited the synagogoue in Istanbul with another couple. We just showed our passports to the man in charge and went in. One of the gentlemen in our little group spoke Spanish, which is close enough to Ladino, so maybe that helped, but we did not have to arrange anything in advance. I think it's worth a try.