A delegation of Leo Buck students visited Istanbul a week ago

Journey to Istanbul

Leo Buck's students were invited to stay at the Jewish school "Olus" in Istanbul and at the Galata Sarai Istanbul Rotary Club. The highlight of the trip was an exciting meeting with the chief rabbi of Turkish Judaism.
The stereotypical perception that Istanbul is a religious Muslim city dispelled immediately upon landing. As soon as we got off the plane, the students say, Istanbul was revealed to us in all its glory, a city full of life and bustling 24/7.
Upon the arrival of the delegation, it was welcomed by Rotary members in Istanbul who organized a seminar and a meeting between Leo Bak students and local students from Istanbul Technical University.
The students and the group guide felt that the seeds of cooperation, understanding and friendship were sown. After this visit, they continued with a guided tour of Istanbul accompanied by Rotary members, the tour included a visit to the historical sites such as the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Waterworks, and then the delegation stayed at the Jewish retirement home where they met, according to them, "a disappearing generation of Ladino speakers, with memories and stories from far away." They also talked on the spot with the representative of the embassy, ​​who told about Turkey after the Marmara and the feeling of the Jews there.
The second part of the visit was dedicated entirely to the Jewish community, with the center of the stay at the "Olos" Jewish school. His uncle Barkat adds, "When we arrived at the school, the school principal met us for a hearty conversation. After that, we conducted activities in the classrooms, including board games. The look in the eyes of the "Olos" students, their love and admiration for Israel, was a highlight for us on the trip. The cooperation, the listening and the desire to know On Israel and in the future, to be a part of Israel, to study in it, to live in it, reflected the mindset in which we were received in the classrooms"
Later in the day, the students visited the synagogue in Ortakoy where they met Rabbi Naftali Halva, who gave us a tour of the synagogue.
From there they continued to a very impressive meeting with the chief rabbi of Turkey who with a big smile told about the community and Judaism in general.

It is worth noting that last year a delegation of students from the Technical University in Istanbul was hosted at Leo Bak, following a similar visit made by Leo Bak students in Istanbul.
The feeling that the friendly relationship with Turkey, as learned from the meetings with the Turkish students and members of the Rotary Club, will continue, despite the political events, gives Leo Buck great satisfaction.