Ali Bernstein

Hi everyone! My name is Ali and I am a Junior Theatre Studies major. I am an actor and up-coming director, and I almost always have a book with me on hand. I believe that learning your roots is essential to learning more about yourself. I have always identified as Jewish (as both of my parents are), but our practice of the religion has always been confined almost entirely to the celebration of some of the major holidays. But because being Jewish has always been one of my identifiers (I was the "token Jewish kid" in my school), I think that I have a lot to learn about my roots and the history of the Jewish people. This became especially relevant to me after I went on Birthright and was thrown completely out of my element.

What was the Millet system?

The Millet system was used by the Ottoman Empire and was based on an Islamic law that recognized Jews and Christians as their own, separate nation (or millet) with their own religious and legal self-rule within their own community. What set the Ottoman Empire apart was its toleration of other religions and beliefs. The Turks of the Ottoman Empire were Muslims, but they did not force their religion on others within the empire. The Jews and the Christians and other religious communities were responsible for their own courts, schools, and welfare systems. Separate millets even built their own roads, water fountains, and communal buildings for their neighborhoods. Ottoman toleration was not perfect, though. The Ottoman Empire was a Muslim state that of course gave preference to Muslims, but by allowing Jews and Christians to practice their religions, the Ottoman Empire defended itself against revolt.