The Jewish community of Chalkida holds an extraordinary place in the history of both Greece and the wider Jewish world as one of the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish communities in Europe, with roots tracing back to antiquity. Its unique Romaniote heritage, a Jewish tradition distinct to Greece, is characterized by centuries of cultural and linguistic integration into Greek society while maintaining a strong Jewish identity.
As early as 1159, Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela documented the presence of a thriving Jewish population in Chalkida, noting their integration into the city’s life and their exclusive use of the Greek language. Over the centuries, this community flourished under various rulers, including the Venetians, during whose rule Jews in Chalkida excelled in trade, particularly in exporting wine, as well as in crafts such as leather dyeing and silk production.
The Jewish population in Chalkida grew steadily and numbered around 400 in 1840, following the incorporation of Euboea into the Greek State. Despite a devastating fire in 1854 that destroyed much of their cultural and religious infrastructure, the community quickly rebuilt its synagogue and persevered.
By 1940, the Jewish community of Chalkida numbered 325 individuals. During the German occupation of Greece, Chalkida’s Jews faced the same existential threat as Jews across Europe. However, the resilience and solidarity of the local Greek population and the organized Resistance movements in Euboea played a critical role in protecting the community. The Resistance facilitated the transfer of many Jews from Chalkida to remote, rebel-held villages in the mountainous areas of the island, where they found refuge and safety.
As a result of these heroic efforts, the Chalkida Jewish community suffered relatively few losses during the Holocaust, with only 18 members perishing—a tragic loss but a far lower proportion than most other Jewish communities in Nazi-occupied Europe.
Following World War II, the community’s numbers dwindled as many survivors sought new opportunities in Athens, Israel, and the United States. Today, the Jewish Community of Chalkida is a small but vibrant group of approximately 65 members. It remains proud of its Romaniote traditions and its historical contributions to Greek society.
