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Tuesday Feb 26, 2008

When Balkan Muslims were rescued by Jews

Posted by Ashley Perry (Perez)

The recent turmoil in the Balkans and the hosting of the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism in Israel last week make it an auspicious time to remember a little-known event in Jewish history.

During wars and fractious national events, Jews are usually caught in the middle to a devastating extent. The Jewish community as the ultimate 'other' is rarely trusted by any side in conflict and tries to keep as low a profile as possible. The opposite was the case during the siege of Sarajevo from 1992 to 1996.

The Jewish community of Sarajevo can trace its existence back to a safe haven for those Iberian exiles that fled the Inquisition and ultimately the expulsions. Even today the majority of the Jewish community is Sephardi and although many were wiped out during the Holocaust, Ladino is still spoken by many.

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The Sephardi Perspective A (surprising) Sephardi 'take' on culture, history, politics and current events by Ashley Perry (Perez).
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Mark: "Good Listener" # 10 - I don't know who you listen to, but my info reveals that R' Avraham Sherman headed the 3-judge panel that issued the decision. The 2 other judges who signed off on the decision are Hagai Izerer and Avraham Sheinfeld. Also, the comment by Hacham Yosef (if made) is of no relevance to the discussion at hand. Regardless, the fact that there are Sephardi Rabbis that are following the Ashkenazi-Haredi paradigm (an unfortunately growing group) does not change the fact that the Haredi paradigm (with the garb etc.) owes its origin to the EU yeshiva world.
Debra: It is the fulfillment of all of HaShem's promises as prophesied by Isaiah, Ezekiel, and the rest of the Nevi'im. Do these Rabbies get it? or any of you for that matter?
Harry Carrie: Quote: "There have always been many days added throughout Jewish history where the authorities have instructed they be commemorated in prayer and with the recitation of Hallel." Other than the Regalim, Chanuka and Rosh Chodesh, did you have anything else in mind? Discard Regalim and Rosh Chodesh, as we say Hallel then for different reasons. Are you comparing Chanuka to Yom Ha'Atzmaut?