Hellenism ISA
* school projcet assignment:ID: e28b8a01-ac7b-4acb-a09d-6ea77c755838
1. Write a 200-word paragraph describing the features of hellenization in the city of Alexandria
Be sure to include some of the unique buildings and structures in the city that helped make alexandria a true model of a Greek City. Using examples from the sources below will help to strengthen your paragraph
Hellenization in Alexandria appeared through its architecture, universities, and the cultural blending inside its multicultural population. The city was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great (Gillam-Smith 2010, 4:30–38:08; “Alexandria, Egypt” n.d., 82) and laid on a clear grid that still resembles modern Alexandria (Gillam-Smith 2010, 26:55–28:56). It was placed outwards facing the Mediterranean. Earlier Egyptian cities were built along the Nile, but Alexandria's placement signaled a change towards Greek ideals (Gillam-Smith 2010, 11:51–15:40). Also, it linked the island of Pharos to the mainland and formed an artificial harbor that became one of the busiest ports in the world (Gillam-Smith 2010, 11:51–15:40). Knowledge was a key part of Alexandria's design: universities where scholars openly discussed experimental ideas were built (Gillam-Smith 2010, 18:36–22:12). It also housed the largest library of the ancient world, created to store works from across many regions, collected through extensive copying efforts by scribes, where an early cataloging system was developed (Gillam-Smith 2010, 33:27–38:09). In conclusion, these structures and institutions made Alexandria a model Hellenic city, positioned at the crossroads of the East and West and supporting a multicultural environment shaped by Hellenic influence (Gillam-Smith 2010, 26:55–28:56, 33:27–38:09).
2. Write a 250-word paragraph on the life of Jews in the ancient city of Alexandria
Be sure to explain how the jews responded to the hellenistic culture they lived in and include your opinion on the impact of hellenization on the Jews?
Jewish life in ancient Alexandria developed inside a prospering Hellenistic urban environment that affected their institutions, cultural practices, and communal identity. Jews settled into Alexandria by the early third century BCE and formed an organized community with an ethnarch who handled internal affairs and legal matters (Tcherikover 1959, 82). Alexandria's success and economic opportunity drew many Jews to the city, specifically those seeking refuge from the forced Hellenization in regions ruled by Antiochus IV (Efron, Weitzman, and Lehmann 2018; Urowitz 2017, 85). Living in a majority Greek made Jews in Alexandria more exposed to Hellenization than their Judean brothers, and they responded by adopting certain Greek practices while maintaining their religious identity (Efron, Weitzman, and Lehmann 2018). An example of this adaptation was the translation of the Torah into Greek, the common story is that seventy-two scholars worked independently to produce identical texts, a version known as the Septuagint (Scharfstein and Gelabert 1996, 76; Urowitz 2017, 85). The translation emerged because many Jews there were more fluent in Greek rather than Hebrew because the city's planning encouraged participation in scholarly activity. Also, Alexandrian Jewish philosophers integrated Greek philosophical ideas into Jewish thought and tried to spread respect for monotheism (“Alexandria, Egypt” n.d., 82). In my view, Hellenization had a positive impact: it allowed Jews to engage fully in Alexandria's civic and intellectual life, strengthening their view. It also introduced new ideas to Judaism and made way for philosophical discussion (“Alexandria, Egypt” n.d. 82).
3. Write a 300-400 word report answering the following question:
In this report, you must draw comparisons between the jews of anceitn alexandria and jews in toronto today. Every point of comparison must directly reference and the readings from this assignment.
3.1. Question: How did the jews of alexandria living 2300 years ago maintain their jewish identity in the diaspora and how is this similar to what the jews in toronto face today in keeping our jewish identity?
Use 3 of 4 examples below.
[ ]Synagogues and places of worship in ancient alexandria and modern toronto[X]The role of language in jewish community and identity[X]The relationship between the diaspora communities and israel[X]Secular culture and the jewish relationship
Jewish communities in ancient Alexandria maintained their identity through adaptation and preservation, which remains true for Jews living in Toronto today. Jews settled in Alexandria by early 3rd century BCE and formed an organized community with an ethnarch who handled internal affairs, securing continuity of Jewish practices even within a strongly Hellenistic environment (Tcherikover 1959, 82). A central challenge for Jews in Alexandria was language: because many Egyptian Jews were more fluent in Greek than Hebrew, the Torah was translated into Greek, producing the Septuagint (Scharfstein and Gelabert 1996, 76; Urowitz 2017, 85). The adaptation allowed Jews to connect to their heritage even though they lived in a Greek-speaking society. Similarly, Jews in Toronto often use multiple languages: English in public life, and Hebrew in religious contexts. Like the Alexandrians, we also used translation and billingual education.
Another point of comparison is the relationship between the diaspora communities and Israel. Ancient Jews lived far from their geographic origins but maintained ties through scripture, shared traditions, and the work of philosophers who wanted to spread monotheism and preserve Jewish values (“Alexandria, Egypt” n.d., 82). Now, Jews in Toronto maintain cultural and emotional ties to Israel through private schools, public speakers, travel, and communal organizations. Although the mechanisms differ, both communities rely on shared narratives and collective memory.
Finally, both communities compete with the influence of a dominant secular culture. Jews in Alexandria adopted certain Greek elements in order to integrate into society, including exposure to Greek philosophical ideas, but refusal of the adoption of polytheistic practices (Efron, Weitzman, and Lehmann 2018, 1; “Alexandria, Egypt” n.d., 82). This parallels the experience of Jews here, who sing the anthem, participate fully in Canadian civic and cultural life, while staying true to their religious practices, rituals, and communal norms. The tension between participation and preservation is a characteristic feature of diaspora Jewish life .
In conclusion, Jewish identity in the diaspora survives through engaging with the surrounding culture while maintaining the core defining elements.
4. Elsewhere
4.1. References
4.2. In my garden
Notes that link to this note (AKA backlinks).