The first Jews are estimated to have settled in Anatolia in the 6th
century B.C., making the Jewish community in Turkey one of the oldest in the world. Biblical references in Isaiah (66:19) and Joel (3:4-6) testify to the Jewish presence in Anatolia, pointing to a place called Sepharad in Obadiah (1:20).
In the first few centuries A.D. there were rich Jewish units in Hierapolis (Pamukkale) and Cappadocia (Kapadokya) in central Anatolia. During the time of the Byzantine Empire, most Jewish communities were settled in western Anatolia and in Istanbul, then called Constantinople. Jews' rights were significantly restricted by laws enacted by Byzantine rulers Constantine, Theodosius and Justinian, and they suffered the most severe blow during the Crusades when Constantinople was temporarily occupied by the Latin Kingdom and the Jewish districts were set on fire. Thus, when Mehmet II conquered Constantinople in 1453, the Romaniot (Byzantine) Jewish community hailed him as a liberator. Over the next two centuries, the country became a haven for Jews fleeing repression and expulsion from various parts of Europe, including Hungary, France, Spain, Sicily, Salonika, and Bavaria. Ottomans greatly encouraged Jewish immigration, which became a torrent when Spanish and Portuguese Jews were expelled from their homes by the Spanish Inquisition and fled to Turkey. These Jews used their international connections and linguistic skills to develop the Ottoman Empire's foreign trade. In the liberal atmosphere of Ottoman rule, Jewish activity flourished and many Jews held important positions. Istanbul was the home of great rabbis and scholars and one of the main centers for the printing of Hebrew books. The community began to ebb in the 17th century, reflecting the decay of the country's international position. In the 19th century conditions for Jews improved somewhat, but economic hardship compelled many Jews to emigrate. The majority settled in the Americas. Modern Turkey emerged as a secular, democratic republic out of the country's debacle in World War I. In 1992, the Jewish community celebrated the 500th anniversary of the arrival of the first Sephardim. Today, approximately 25,000 Jews live in Turkey as Turkish citizens. The Jewish community is officially recognized by the state through its Chief Rabbinate. 
Harran was the abode of prophet Abraham for an extended period of time (Genesis 11:26, 25:10). Abraham is presumed to have received God's word at about 75 years of age when he was living in Harran. Houses in Harran are built of blocks of stone in igloo style to avoid direct sun exposure. Each dome covers a separate room, and the rooms mostly have no windows for the purpose of keeping the heat out. The architecture in Harran has remained the same since the time of Abraham.
Sardis was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom. During the time of the Roman Empire, it became a city of 100,000 with a large and prosperous Jewish population. The synagogue in the picture was built on the Sardis-Ur Way, most probably after being converted from a basilica-like building the Romans gave the Jews as a gift. There is a magnificant gymnasium connected to the synagogue which supports this theory. The synagogue measures 120 meters in length and 18 meters in width, and dates back to 3rd century A.D. On the front of the synagogue facing the Sardis-Ur Way, there is an arcade of stores that appear to have been run by Jews. The original floor mosaics can still be seen intact today, whereas the marmor panes on the walls have been rebuilt mimicking original materials and craftsmanship. Excavations around the synagogue yielded many finds, most of which are on display in the Manisa museum. The building was first restored around 400 A.D., but it was all but destroyed in 616 by the Persian king Khosrau. The synagogue possesses two Aron Hakodeshim (Holy Arks) on the eastern front, where the entrance is. The mighty columns most probably carried a second story for centuries. In the court yard facing the eastern front, a tablet displays the names of the American benefactors who enabled the recent full restoration of the synagogue.
The Hierapolis Necropolis (Pamukkale), the largest Roman cemetary in Anatolia, is spread over one square kilometer. On the various different styles of tombs, menorahs can be observed next to crosses and scripts in Greek and Latin. Hierapolis and Laodicea, which were home to large Jewish settlements during the Roman Empire, became important centers of early Christian expansion. This area was a thriving commercial community specializing in textiles, and the Jews took an active part in this trade. When the cities were abandoned in the 7th century A.D., the Jewish population also left the area.
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