Emily Weiner - Jews in Salonika

What role did Jews of Salonica play in the Ottoman economy? What kind of occupations and trades did they enter?

The Jews had a huge role in the Ottoman economy of Salonica. In other words, the Jews were the reason for such a prospering economy and you could say they ran the economy. Salonica was a great location for trade, which was a contributing factor in the idea of it being such a prospering economy. The Jews in Salonica were the successful traders across the Mediterranean. One of their main economy boosters was the Jews responsibility to manufacture the uniforms for armies. This gave the city of Salonica the reputation as the principal producer and exporter of cloth in the eastern Mediterranean. Others were trading with Salonica in order to get their hands on such things as these. The wealthier Jews of Salonica were stocking up and buying abundant amount of wool, dyes and then hiring the poor Jews of Salonica to actually produce the uniforms. I think the dynamic of Salonica is really great. I really like how the richer community members are making an effort to help the poor by giving them jobs. The article mentioned, that by mid-century Salonica was supplying military uniforms as well as clothing the entire city and sending exports to Buda and beyond. This was the start of a huge economical jumpstart, which allowed Salonica to prosper.

Salonica also had silver-mining as well. Prior to this, there was a large silver shortage. To solve this problem, Jewish metallurgists were brought in. Within a short span of a few years, the city had become one of the largest silver producers in the empire. Due to Salonica being such a large producer of many goods, surrounding areas needed to have good relations with them in order to attain what they needed.

Overall, the main point here is that the Salonican Jews played a vital role in the economy.

What role was played by the rabbis in the Salonica Jewish community?

During this time, in Salonica, leaders were appointed from each group or millet. Some responsibilities expected from them were collecting taxes, administering justice and ecclesiastic affairs. The first rabbi appointed, was a Romaniote rabbi who had served under the last Byzantine emperor. His main priority was to obtain obedience of the Salonican Jewry. In Salonica, rabbis also formed a privileged ruling caste, which eliminated communal and government taxes. Rabbinical courts existed as well, within these courts, they constituted the chief means in which Jews were able to settles any tiffs or differences that were occurring. Overall, rabbis played a huge role in the community and also held quite a lot of power. They were largely involved in the government and overruling decisions, which made them vital in the successes of the city of Salonica.