22 October 2008

Miami: The Jews of Ioannina, Nov. 2

The Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Miami will host independent scholar Dr. Annette Fromm on the "Genealogy of the Greek-speaking Jews of Ioannina, Greece," at 10am, Sunday, November 2.

Fromm's book on the Romaniote Jewish community of Ioannina is "We Are Few: Folklore and Ethnic Identity of the Jewish Community of Ioannina, Greece" (Lexingon Books, 2007). She holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University.

The Jewish community of Ioannina, in Northwestern Greece, traces its roots to Byzantine times if not earlier. In the early 20th century, at least half of the community's population emigrated to settle in Athens, Israel, and the United States because of economic and religious reasons. The cataclysm of the Holocaust dramatically decimated the community. This steady outward movement created an abrupt rupture of their patterns of traditional culture.

"We are Few" brings this unique community to life in a series of ethnographic sketches of history and traditional culture in order to understand its intense allegiance to ethnic identity.

The venue is the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. Parking entrance at rear of building; bring picture ID.

For more information, click on the JGSGM site here.

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