Olga Borovaya Libros

Explores the literary culture of the Ottoman Empire's Sephardic Jews

Focusing on the 1840 Rhodes blood libel, this study explores the intersection of Ottoman and Jewish histories amidst a surge of anti-Jewish violence instigated by local authorities. It utilizes newly uncovered Ottoman and Jewish sources to argue that the acquittal of the Rhodian Jews is best understood through the lens of the Tanzimat reforms and the diplomatic landscape of the time. This work reveals that the effects of these reforms were felt earlier than previously thought, providing insights into intercommunal relations in the Eastern Mediterranean during the late Ottoman period.

Focusing on the contributions of Moses Almosnino, this book explores his significance as a prominent Ottoman Sephardi writer whose works resonated with both Jewish and Christian audiences in Europe. Olga Borovaya argues for the inclusion of Almosnino's writings in Ladino literature, challenging previous timelines by suggesting that Ladino's literary history dates back 200 years earlier than thought. Through meticulous historical analysis, she offers a new perspective on the evolution of Ladino and its role in early European print culture.