The Jewish Community of Salonika: The End of a Long History

Abstract

Salonika, Greece’s second-largest city, does not often attract the world’s attention. Neither its scenic setting at the head of a natural bay across which, on clear days, one can discern the outlines of Mount Olympus, nor its numerous and beautiful Byzantine churches, nor even its easy access to attractive seaside resorts seem to offer much incentive to outside visitors. Occasionally, some spectacular event, if only momentarily, focuses the world’s attention on the city. This happened in 1948, during the Greek civil war, with the assassination—why and by whom remain unclear—of the American journalist John Polk. Then, in 1963, another murder once again put the city’s name in the headlines of the international press, when George Lambrakis, a Greek deputy of the Left, was murdered by a gang of rightwing thugs.