Private Primary School J.C.T. “Joseph Nissim”
The Legacy of Education in the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki: A Lighthouse of Knowledge and Culture
The Jewish Community of Thessaloniki has always been distinguished over the centuries for the interest it has given to education and the high level of knowledge of its members. There were many rabbinical schools, girls’ colleges, schools specialising in special talents and schools specialising in foreign languages and commercial vocational guidance. The Alliance Israelite Universelle alone operated more than 10 schools in our city. This shows not only the large size of the community at that time, but also the great importance it always attached to education. It is characteristic that many Thessalonians, regardless of their religion, sent their children to a Jewish school for a better education. This tradition was abruptly interrupted with the outbreak of World War II and the passage of the Nazi horde through Thessaloniki. The sudden and rapid purge of the Jewish element of the city by the Nazis led to the total annihilation of the community – 96% of its population – which then numbered more than 55,000 people. The annihilation of its members led to the dissolution of the enviable structure of the community and with it all the Jewish schools in the city, which reportedly numbered 28 before the war.
After the end of World War II and with the return of the few Thessaloniki Jews (1,800 people were declared to have returned and of these only 1,100 remained in the city), the first efforts were made to re-establish the Jewish Community of the city. From the very first moment, emphasis was placed on the education of post-war children. Already in the 1950s, a new kindergarten was established, where pre-school children could attend.
At the same time, prominent members of the Community envisioned an organized primary school and at the end of the 1970s, after great and tireless efforts, the goal of its establishment was achieved. 1979 was the first year of operation, with 2 primary school classes and a kindergarten. Today our school is the only Jewish school in our city.
Operation of the School
At the same time, prominent members of the Community envisioned an organized primary school and at the end of the 1970s, after great and tireless efforts, the goal of its establishment was achieved. 1979 was the first year of operation, with 2 primary school classes and a kindergarten. Today our school is the only Jewish school in our city.
The year the school was opened it operated with only 2 classes but over the years all classes and 2 preschool classes have operated.
Since then until today it offers children aged 3 to 12 years old a high quality education and Jewish education.
Apart from the teaching staff consisting of 15 teachers of all disciplines, the school has a school psychologist, who provides counselling, helps in solving various problems and organizes informative workshops for parents.
The level of teaching staff is and remains particularly high due to their continuous training. The physical infrastructure of the school is excellent.
There is a fully equipped computer room and a separate unit per classroom, sports equipment, a lending library with a large number of books of various contents, a science room, an audiovisual room and a multi-activity room.
The high level of education is achieved through the combination of the implementation of the full YMCA programme and a variety of Judaic programmes, Hebrew language teaching and many cultural and scientific programmes of general interest.
During the school year, young students have the opportunity to visit many museums and follow the current cultural events of our city.
Once a year, they exchange visits with students from the corresponding school in Athens, in order to strengthen relations and exchange knowledge and ideas.
Upon graduation from school, the children enjoy a wide range of general knowledge as well as a good knowledge of the Hebrew language, Jewish history and tradition.
The English teaching programmes offer children Lower (Cambridge) level knowledge.
As regards French, which has been taught in recent years at school, children acquire a basic knowledge and become able to communicate in French at first level (Delf 1).
Students often participate and excel in national competitions in various subjects.
A few words about the building that houses the Primary School and the Kindergarten
Its original use was to house the community’s institution, Matanot Laevionim, whose purpose was to provide food for its orphaned and poor students. It therefore provided two hot full meals to these children. His entire operation was based on donations and was run by very important personalities of the time and with the support of the Jewish community.
Baron Hirsch, Revah, Matarasso, Salem, Aroesti and Modiano are some of the names of people who envisioned a poverty-free community that would provide equal opportunities for all its members. In the front and inside the building one can see the memorial, marble plaques in their honour. The feeding institution continued to operate until World War II. After the end of the war, the building became the property of the I.C.T., serving various purposes.
In the early post-war years, group weddings were held there, often involving more than 10 couples of young people who had lost their families during the war. Expecting a better future and being very poor, they married with the help of the community.
In the 1960s and 1970s it was used as a gym of the G.S. Makampi Thessaloniki for the training needs of the basketball, boxing and table tennis teams of the club.
In 1979 the use of the building was changed and, after renovation, it has since housed the primary school and the kindergarten.
Activities of the school unit (Primary-Kindergarten)
In addition to the daily programme, the students of the school enjoy a variety of opportunities to enrich their knowledge. From time to time very important programmes have been carried out such as:
Holocaust Teaching
History of writing
Literacy
Publishing a school newspaper
Advertising
Book illustration
Museum education
Tour of the city of Thessaloniki
Introduction to the Olympic Games
Theatrical play
Traditional Games
Environmental education
Healthy nutrition
Cooking and pastry
Sports
Our school is also a pioneer in the implementation of innovative programs, such as the teaching of Greek Sign Language, first aid seminars, educational programs implemented in cooperation with other schools in Greece, abroad and with international Jewish organizations. The students of the school have been awarded and honored for the results of their work both in Greece and abroad. This work led, in 2021, the President of the Bolton Hope Foundation, and Marina Nissim to the decision to support, with a significant donation, our school. In recognition of this act of great generosity, the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki renamed the Primary School and the Kindergarten “Joseph Nissim Primary School of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki” and “Joseph Nissim Kindergarten of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki” respectively, thus honouring Ms. Nissim’s late father, Joseph Nissim, a worthy child of our Community.
For information about the school, one can contact:
Address: Eua Sebi
Email: jcschool1979@yahoo.gr
