Rhodes documents

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The following are various types of documents and visual artifacts from "La Juderia". These items have been displayed at the Rhodes Jewish Museum. At the end of this page is a link to a partial reproduction of the newspaper printed in the Judeo-Spanish language ("Ladino") in Rhodes in the 1930's called "El Boletin".

1852 marriage contract ("ketubbah") of Yedidiah Yosef Israel and his wife, Reina.

The decorative marriage contracts are a distinctive Sephardic tradition that was continued even after the Jews fled Spain and Portugal. In the "ketubbah" below you will notice the double arched design (containing the text) that originated from the Moorish art of Spain. In the center of the "ketubbah" is a building that contains the "hamsah" (la mano), as a symbol for protection against the evil eye. (Translation from Hebrew of the outer rim of the "ketubbah":) "Song of Madrigal". Happy is all who fear God and walking in His ways. With the toil of your hands you will eat. Happiness and the best to you. Your wife is like a fruitful vine, within your home. Your sons are like young olive trees around your table. Therefore, shall be blessed, the man who fears God. God shall bless you from Zion, and you shall see the goodness of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see sons of your sons. Peace on Israel. God saved Joseph's life, and he was a very successful man, and all that he touches succeeds.

Click here to see a large picture of the Ketubbah (184k).
Click here to see a poster size picture of the Ketubbah Warning!!, this is HUGE!(1,672k or 1.67MB).

1891 marriage contract ("ketubbah") of Avraham Amato and Rahel Capelouto.

1888 book for religious studies. It was written in Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino") and the front cover states: "Libro de Instrucion Religionza. Comporto por Yakov Kabouli. Rhodes, 1888. Segunda Edicion".

1910 Turkish travel document of Isaac Nessim BenVeniste, who was twenty years old. It was issued in Rhodes, under the authority of the Sultan Mehmet Reshat, to allow BenVeniste to leave with his family.

1934 diploma from the Rabbinical College of Rhodes of Rabbi Michael Albagli.

October 1935 issue of "El Boletin" (120k). It was the monthly Jewish newspaper in Rhodes and written in the Judeo-Spanish language ("Ladino").