‘Centuries-old’ Jewish prayer book with gold lettering recovered in Turkey
It was found by officers during when a car was stopped in the east of the country
Police in Turkey say they have recovered a tiny medieval Jewish prayer book from the boot of a car.
The officers found the tiny tome, which appears to contain Jewish symbols and handwritten Hebrew lettering in gold-leaf, when they stopped the vehicle.
The search took place in the eastern city of Ardahan, close to Turkey’s border with Armenia.
Officials impounded the book while an investigation into its ownership takes place.
It’s not the first time in recent weeks that apparently ancient Jewish texts have been recovered in Turkey.
In late October police officers seized a similar Tanakh with gold-leaf lettering in the southeastern city of Mardin.
Authorities said that book was at least a thousand years old.
One suspect was taken into custody in connect to the earlier discovery.
But there is also a flourishing trade in counterfeit Judaica in Turkey.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
