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The Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community of Rhodes
Address: #5 Polydorou Street; Rhodes, Greece 85100
Telephone #: 22410-22364; Fax #: 22410-73039
email: jcrhodes@otenet.gr
Jewish Community of Rhodes
 |
 Sam Angel, Custodian of the Synagogue and Museum |
I was born in Los Angeles and am a third generation "Rhodesli". I am an attorney in Los Angeles where I have been practicing immigration law since 1980. During my first three years of law practice, I worked for the Jewish Family Service in Los Angeles representing the agency with their refugee and asylum cases. Since March 1982 I have practiced immigration law in the Westwood area of Los Angeles.
In 1974, and more recently in July 1996, I have written articles for the Western States Jewish Historical Quarterly concerning the Rhodeslis who emigrated to Los Angeles. This was carried out with the encouragement and cooperation of its editor, Rabbi William Kramer.
I was inspired to visit the Island of Rhodes in 1975 by stories told to me by my grandparents. Its special charm and history fascinated me. Several years later, in 1995, I went back to Rhodes with my family for my children to learn of their family heritage. It was during that trip that I noticed the need of advancing the public awareness and appreciation of its unique history unfortunately devastated by the Holocaust.
Over the past year I created two institutions to fulfill this goal. First, I established The Rhodes Jewish Museum, which exhibits photographic materials and other artifacts, and secondly I set up The Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation, which is a non-profit organization to be used as a vehicle for furthering this goal. In October 1997, I created this web site in order to be an information source for people interested in the history of the Jews of Rhodes as well as those planning to travel to Rhodes. The web site has been technically designed with the kind assistance and computer expertise of my brother, Don Hasson.
I hope the web site will be an enjoyable learning experience for all viewers.
Aron Hasson
So why a museum? The Jewish community on the Island of Rhodes, known as "La Juderia", was once a thriving center for learning and living which was ended by the Holocaust. Today, the Island of Rhodes is one of the most popularly visited vacation places in the Mediterranean Sea. The vacationers come from all countries of the world, utilizing international charter air flights as well as luxury cruise ships. These visitors walk the streets of "La Juderia" lacking knowledge of its Sephardic Jewish history. In fact, during the months of April to October, the Kahal Shalom has approximately 75 visitors per day. Unfortunately, there is almost nothing at the Kahal Shalom to inform it's visitors of it's unique history. Although most of the remnants of Jewish life is absent as a result of the Holocaust, this Museum is an important first step of more expansive efforts in preserving the unique history of the Jews of Rhodes.
Planning the restoration with team of workers in the courtyard ("cortiju") of the Kahal Shalom. The team consists of: architect, electrician, carpenter, painter and assistants.
Photo shows Jacob Sakkis, one of the three members of the Rhodes Jewish Community, directing the construction of the first phase of the museum. In the photo, left to right: Joseph Alhadeff (of Brussels), Lefteris Paraskevas (office manager) and Jacob Sakkis. The rooms were quickly renovated within a short 3 week time period.
The photo below shows Aron Hasson helping to direct the work being undertaken to restore the women's prayer rooms for the Museum.
This after photo was taken in September 1997 at the Kahal Shalom synagogue in Rhodes.
