The Romaniote Jews are Europe's oldest Jewish community, predating the better-known Sephardic and Ashkenazi groups.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For over 2,300 years, the Romaniote Jews have maintained a distinct identity in Greece, speaking a unique Greek-Hebrew dialect called Yevanic. While often overshadowed by later Sephardic arrivals, this ancient community preserved its own liturgical rites, mystical traditions, and customs, surviving empires and the devastation of the twentieth century.

The Romaniote Jews trace their presence in Greece back to the era of Alexander the Great, with archaeological evidence like the 4th-century CE synagogue on Aegina confirming their deep roots. Their name derives from the Eastern Roman Empire, or Rhōmanía, where they lived as Greek-speaking citizens for centuries. Unlike the Sephardim, who arrived in Greece after the 1492 expulsion from Spain, or the Ashkenazim, the Romaniotes developed a unique cultural synthesis of Hellenistic philosophy, Palestinian rabbinic traditions, and Byzantine influence.

Their intellectual life was remarkably robust, peaking between 1350 and 1550. Scholars like Shemarya HaIkriti and Mordecai Komatiano produced works ranging from biblical apologetics to astronomy. They maintained a distinct prayer rite, the Mahzor Romania, which is closer to Italian Jewish traditions than to the later Sephardic or Ashkenazi liturgies. Even their physical practices were unique; for instance, Romaniote Torah scrolls are housed in cylindrical containers called tikim and are traditionally read while standing upright, as laying them flat is considered improper.

The community faced catastrophic losses during World War II, when 86% of Greek Jews were murdered under Axis occupation. While their ability to speak Greek helped some hide more effectively than Ladino-speaking Sephardim, the post-war period saw a massive exodus to Israel and the United States. Today, the largest Romaniote community is in New York City. Despite their reduced numbers, they continue to maintain functioning synagogues in places like Ioannina, Chalkis, and Athens, preserving a legacy that spans from the Second Temple era to the modern day.

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