“Did you know the Jewish Synagogue of Chalkis boasts a history spanning over 2500 years?” A remarkable testament to resilience. This very spot on Kotsou Street has witnessed it all. Imagine the generations who have walked these paths. The Jewish community of Chalkis holds a unique place in European history. They lived here uninterrupted for millennia. One of the few such communities in Europe. They settled mainly in the northeast of the fortress. Even Flavius Josephus mentioned their presence 2000 years ago. A testament to their enduring presence. The traveler Benjamin de Tudela noted 200 Jews here in 1159. Mostly silk manufacturers and dyers. Remarkably they suffered no discrimination then. They spoke Greek and already had their own synagogue.
The Venetian conquest brought a stark change. The Jews faced discrimination living in a ghetto. Additional taxes and a ban on citizenship added to their hardship. In 1402 they were even banned from buying land outside the ghetto. The Ottoman Empire’s rule brought further suffering and exploitation. Similar to the Venetian occupation. By 1840 the community numbered 400. Their synagogue however faced a devastating fire in 1854. Luckily it was rebuilt the following year. Thanks to the generosity of Sophie de Marbois the Duchess of Plaisance. Sadly much of the archives and parchments were lost to the flames.
The old and new Jewish cemeteries are located on the Street of the Jewish Martyrs. A street renamed by local authorities in recent years. At the end of the 20th century a restoration of the tombstones was undertaken. On the eve of World War II around 325 Jews lived in Chalkis. Among them Colonel Mordechai Frizis a Greek officer who famously dropped arms in hand. A hero of the First World War. He distinguished himself in the Second World War as well. He bravely fought during the Italian attack in 1940-41. After repelling the Italians he was killed in an air attack. He died on the battlefield alongside his men. His remains were reburied in 2004 in Salonika’s Jewish cemetery. His grandson officiated the ceremony with military honors.
During the German occupation the Jews found refuge in the hills. Locals and resistance fighters helped them. Some fled to Palestine via Turkey. Many however were deported by the Nazis. A monument stands in memory of the Holocaust victims. You can see busts of Bishop Grigorios and Colonel Frizis there. His memory is honored. With a statue near a Chalkis bridge a street and other monuments in Athens. By the 21st century only about 60 Jews remained in Chalkis. Many moved to Athens or abroad. The story of the Jewish Synagogue of Chalkis is a poignant tale of endurance. A remarkable legacy in this historic city. It’s a story of survival. A story of resilience. And a story of faith.