Joey Randazzo- Introduction

Hey Class, My name is Joey Randazzo and I am a junior transfer student at IC. I major in History and minor in Philosophy. I am most interested in contemporary history, but I have a deep liking for ancient philosophy. Some of my favorite philosophers include Zeno, Aristotle, and Theophrastus. I was raised a Jew as a member of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in Manhattan, New York. I went to Hebrew school from third grade to seventh and received my Bar Mitzvah at age thirteen. I have lost some touch with my Jewish roots since I started attending College. I saw this class and immediately saw it as an opportunity to rekindle some of my Jewish heritage and knowledge.

            The Millet system was a policy put into place, by the Ottoman Empire, in order to separate the religious minorities. The Ottoman Empire was primarily Muslim so in order to distinguish Muslims from Christians and Jews they gave autonomy to the religious minorities. Christian and Jewish communities were seen “as a separate nation” with religious and legal authority over themselves. These communities were able to build their own places of worship and teach their own religions. They were also responsible for their own court systems, welfare, and schools. This was effective because it prevented the Ottoman Empire from dealing with revolt. The religious minorities were not being oppressed and they could live as they please so there was no need for insubordination.