"Ottoman Jewry: Leadership, Charity & Literacy", with Yaron Ayalon
April 9, 2025
Yaron Ayalon, associate professor of Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies at the College of Charleston, presented his new book, Ottoman Jewry: Leadership, Charity, and Literacy. In his talk, Ayalon explored how Jewish everyday life in the Ottoman Empire was shaped by a mix of social and cultural forces beyond religious authority, and how charitable and educational initiatives gradually shifted from communal oversight to private practice, weakening traditional lay and rabbinic leadership. His presentation was followed by a lively conversation with Orit Bashkin, Mabel Greene Myers Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago, and a vigorous Q&A session with the audience.