İzmir Sephardic Women
Hand in Hand (2022)

In 2021 and 2022, the İzmir Jewish Community undertook a remarkable project to document the century-long contributions of Sephardic Jewish women in İzmir. The result was "İzmir Sephardic Women Hand in Hand," a compelling two-hour documentary produced as part of the EU-funded Despertar İzmir project.

Directed by Sarit Bonfil with Nuray İsrael as assistant director, the film brings to life the inspiring stories of 44 Sephardic Jewish women who played a crucial role in shaping their community. Through heartfelt interviews, historical insights, and archival materials, the documentary explores their tireless work in charitable organizations, education, social welfare, and cultural preservation.

These women dedicated themselves to strengthening their community and responding to challenges with resilience and solidarity. The documentary highlights the evolution of these organizations and the lasting impact of their efforts on both the Jewish and broader İzmir society.

With English subtitles, "İzmir Sephardic Women Hand in Hand" ensures that this powerful history reaches a wider audience, celebrating the strength, perseverance, and contributions of İzmir’s Sephardic women for generations to come.