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Living in Harmony: Jewish Costumes in the Ottoman Empire
Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas
Exhibition: January 26 — March 31, 2006
Opening Gala and Reception: Sunday, February 19, 2006
Dear All:
The "Jewish Costumes in the Ottoman Empire" exhibition
presented a selection of paintings depicting traditional
Jewish attire. The contemporary works were based on art and
historical sources of the tenth to early twentieth centuries,
from paintings to postcards, and represented the disparate
regions of the Empire. Developed by Turkish curator Silvyo
Ovadya, this exhibition was brought to the United States
with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Turkey.
After visiting such US cities as New York, Boston, Denver, Seattle, Washington DC, and Detroit,
the exhibition was brought to Kansas City as its last stop in the US.
The exhibition and the opening gala on February 19 were planned and implemented by the
Jewish Community Center and our Association.
Major funding was provided by the Earl J. and Leona K. Tranin
Special Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation.
Beatrice Fine of the Jewish Community Center and Emru A. Erten, Honorary Consul General of Turkey for
Kansas City, Missouri and the State of Kansas, led the effort with vigor and personal dedication.
The gala event featured an opening lecture by Dr. Carla Klausner of UMKC History Department; a classical Turkish/Jewish music concert
by Selim Giray, Necati Giray, and Gulimina Mahamuti of Pittsburg State University, Kansas; and, a festive reception of Turkish foods prepared and
served by volunteers from our Association.
Dr. Klausner's lecture addressed the Jewish presence and experience throughout the Ottoman lands and centuries,
briefly touching the state of modern-day diplomatic relations between Israel and Turkey.
Selim Giray violin, Necati Giray cello, and Gulimina Mahamuti piano performed various selected compositions, many from among
the works by Isaac Romano, Jewish composer and music teacher of Sultan Selim the Third (1789–1807).
Dr. Klausner's informative lecture and Giray-Giray-Mahamuti trio's exquisite music were attended by an audience of about 250 distinguished guests
from the Jewish and Turkish communities of Greater Kansas City.
At the reception afterwards, the guests were treated to a Turkish foods sampler that featured dolmas, hummus, piyaz, and baklava.
On behalf of the organizing committee,
I would like to express gratitude to all our volunteers who worked hard and fast from food preparations to set-up and clean-up.
Saliha Francis, Lale Broderson, Ramazan Başata, Sülün Berköz, Suna Özgen, and Sibel Afşar prepared the foods.
Barış Şahin, Kerim Yurtbay, Saliha Francis, Ersin Özharat, Simge and Eda Sofuoğlu, Lisa Telgemeier, Esra Alsancaklı,
İlker Eser, Ali Sözen, and Rezzan and Emre Erten helped with the set-up, service in traditional costumes, and clean-up.
Saliha Francis was particularly instrumental and assured that the preparations went smoothly during the extremely busy hours leading up to the reception.
Last but not least, the following officials of the Jewish Community Center were directly involved in the effort.
Diane Azorsky was instrumental in obtaining funding for the event.
Sandra Czarlinsky led the publicity and marketing operations.
Cindy Hipsch supervised and assisted our volunteers during food preparations and service, and was very helpful.
With special thanks to the Earl J. and Leona K. Tranin
Special Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation...
Sincerely yours,
Nihat C. Oğuz
President, TAA-KC
On behalf of the Organizing Committee: Beatrice Fine, Emru A. Erten, and Nihat C. Oğuz
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