Documents

Sample documents and visual artifacts from “La Juderia”. 

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” (above), 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, & he was a very successful man, & all that he touches succeeds.”

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: “Livro de Instrucion Religioza. Compuesto por Yakov Kabouli, Professor de Hebreo en la escola de la Aliansa Israelit. Rhodes = 5684 (1924). Segunda Edicion”

1910 Turkish Travel Document 

It was issued in Rhodes to Isaac Nessim BenVeniste, who was twenty years old, 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.