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'Jerusalem of the Balkans': Exploring Thessaloniki's lost Jewish history - opinion

I had long wanted to visit the city where the port once closed on Shabbat, and where Jews were both longshoremen and leaders in commercial development.

  • Thessaloniki called "La Madre de Israel" or "Jerusalem of the Balkans"
  • Jews lived in Thessaloniki since 140 BCE, comprising half the population by Golden Age end
  • Jewish Museum in Thessaloniki displays recovered tombstones from 15th century

Half of Israel is in Mykonos - and the Greek island has noticed

I swapped overpriced margaritas at the beach club with my non-Jewish friends for a place to exhale and remember my reality and identity.

  • Half of Israel's population visits Mykonos during summer.
  • Israelis favor Mykonos for its popularity and easy access via new direct flights.
  • Mykonos attracts a diverse crowd, with Americans being the least common nationality.

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