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The most important cemetery of the Jews of Izmir is the historic cemetery in Gürçeşme. The cemetery was in use from mid 19th century until 1934, when a new cemetery was reserved for the Jewish community in İzmir. In 1920’s tombs from another cemetery, which was located at the center of the town were transferred here, including respected rabbis. Among them was the tomb of Rabbi Haim Palache, which attracts many Jewish pilgrims today. The contains around 10.000 tombstones providing quite valuable information on the Jewish community of the town. Having decoration from simple to very elaborate styles, they are of inscription in Hebrew, Ladino, French, German and Turkish, indicating the origin of the individuals in the community, and the cultural changes that they went through over time. The decorations of the tombstones contain symbols on the professions of the deceased as well as textual hints about her/his life. There is also a fountain and a poll for ritual baths. It is believed that its water is warm in winter, and cool in summer, and which is attributed to the spiritual powers of Rabbi Haim Palache.

Ḥayyim ben Jacob Pallache (Palache, Palaggi) (1788-1868), was a chief rabbi of the Ottoman city of Izmir (Smyrna). Ḥayyim Pallache was already a rabbi at the age of 25 in 1813. By the time he reached forty in 1828, he had been appointed head of the Bet Yaʿaqov rabbinical seminary. Ten years later, he became the head of a religious court (1838) and achieved the rabbinical titles of marbiṣ torah (teacher of Torah study) and rav kolel (head rabbi) by 1855. In 1856, he was appointed haham başı (chief rabbi) of the Jewish community of Izmir by Sultan Abdülmecit I (r. 1839–1861). In his lifetime he wrote more than seventy books on religious issues.

The cemetery lies next to one of the main roads connecting the city center and a crowded district of Buca. The cemetery is relatively big surrounded with homes around and gives the impression of how big the Jewish society was earlier. Please note that Jewish population in the city is said to be around 2000 and for the local population of the city (around 3 million) they are quite invisible.

There is no specific religious influence to speak of.

- Direct visit
If possible, a direct visit would be of most value.
- Virtual visit (specify how)
A virtual visit by PPP prepared by the teacher.
- Classroom activity (pre- and post- visit)
A pre-visit research on cemeteries from different faiths in the region and burial ceremonies.
Post-visit discussion can be on different ways of burials according to the faiths and the reasons behind.