The nation of Turkey has featured prominently in recent news (as recently as yesterday, when US media editorialized that this past weekend’s election solidified the authoritarian ambitions of President Recep Erdogan, and that the regime’s tactics of intimidation and suppression cast a blow against democracy in the ally country). Stories of ethnic strife and government turmoil contrast with the country’s struggle to absorb an unprecedented influx of Syrian refugees.  How has Turkey’s Jewish minority fared during this dramatic period of upheaval in theMiddle East?

On Sunday, November 22, 2015 at 11:15 am at Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) in Rumson, Professor Louis Fishman, an Assistant Professor of History at Brooklyn College, visits Congregation B’nai Israel to present a program about current events in Turkey. His topic is Turkish Jews: Between citizens and the “other.” The lecture is open to the public, and all are invited to attend the 11:15 am event.

Fishman, who received his undergraduate degree in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Haifa and his MA and Ph.D in Middle East History from the University of Chicago, has written extensively about Turkish, Israeli and Middle Eastern affairs.  His articles have been cited in the New York Times, the Forward and Haaretz, as well as in scholarly articles and books. His recent work has focused on modern Turkey and the future of the Sephardic Jewish community there. He currently divides his time between New York, Istanbul and Tel Aviv.

The lecture is free for members of CBI, with a $5 fee charged to non-members.  Bagels and coffee will be served, and seating may be limited, so advance registration is requested at www.cbirumson.org. Take it here for an in-depth interview with Dr. Fishman, on the website researchturkey.org.