Emigration

Rhodesli Jewish Calendar September 2013.

At the beginning of the 1900’s a growing number of Jews left the Island of Rhodes for other lands primarily in search of better economic opportunities. At first, most were young men who traveled with the intention of making some money and then return to pursue their family life on Rhodes. As time went by they tended to stay and then called for their family to establish a home in their new location.

The most popular destinations at that time were the Congo, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and the United States. A smaller number emigrated to South America, other countries of Africa and to Israel. Almost all of those that traveled to the United States passed through Ellis Island in New York.

A large number of Jews left Rhodes in 1938 and 1939 due to the War in Europe and as a result of the passing of anti-Jewish laws.

The postcard was donated by Leon Levy. RJHF Archives.

The postcard image was sent from Rhodes by Haim Benveniste to a family in the Los Angeles. It was written in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) handwriting called “Solitreo”. It says: “Kon este vapor parto el 12 de Desember”. English Translation: “I am leaving on this steamship on December 12”

 

Audio Recording

capeloto

A portion of the audio recording of Joseph Capeloto emigrating from Rhodes to the United States in 1907 at 14. 

After arriving in New York, Joseph stayed in New York for 8 days and then traveled to Seattle, Washington, where his brother-in-law, Behor Joseph Alhadeff, had preceded him three years earlier. In Seattle, Joseph earned $8 per week and sent monies to his family that helped them immigrate to the U.S. in 1909. (Interview by Aron Hasson, April 26, 1972.)

nissim-treves

A portion of the audio recording of Nissim (Nace) Treves emigrating from Rhodes to Africa. He boarded the ship, Giulio Cesare from Genoa to Cape Town in 1939.

Due to the difficulties caused by the Italian fascist government policies, he obtained documents to travel and join his brother, Alex, who was living in the Katanga province of the Congo. (Interview by Aron Hasson, March 16, 1998, in Los Angeles). Read Stories of Emigration: Oral History Transcript – Nissim “Nace” Treves. 

 

Images of Places Where the Rhodeslis Emigrated:

Montgomery, Alabama

montgomery

1912 photo in Montgomery, at the “brit milah” of Morris Rousso. In the center (each holding a baby): Mazaltov Piha holding Isaac, Baruch Cohen holding Diana (Polichar), Sol Cohen holding Victor, Sultana Capelouto holding Bolly, Sultana Rousso, a domestic helper holding Morris Rousso. Standing left to right: Emilie Franco, Bension Taranto, Elie Hanan, Victor Franco, unknown, Solomon Rousso, Sadie Taranto. Four men on the floor: Ralph Cohen (with mustache), Efraim Taranto (with white shirt), Abraham Franco and Joe Taranto.

Atlanta, Georgia

atlanta

1912 in Atlanta of many immigrants from Rhodes of the wedding party of Ezra and Joya Touriel at the Cohen home. Guests included Rabeno Galanti, Leo Amiel, Morris Hanan, Behor Arogeti, Mazaltov and Moreno Benvenisty, Morris Capouano, Victor Benatar, Chilibi Amato, David Tourial, Behor Levy, Daniel Rousso, Jack Galanti, Abraham Franco,Joe Galanti, Victor Behar, Louise Behar Barocas, Sadie Behar Mardy and Jack Behar.

Los Angeles, California

1920 picnic at Griffith Park (left to right): Front row: Joseph Mayo, Marco Tarica, Jack Menashe, Joseph Behor Hasson, Reuben Israel, Solomon Israel, Victoria Israel Levy (young girl sitting in front), Morris Capelouto, Isaac Shemaria. 2nd row:  Mrs. Tovil, Haim Tovil, Samuel Israel, Nahman Hanan, Mike Hasson, Joseph Benveniste, Rosa Benveniste, Mr. Perikle (Greek), Jack Benditcha Israel, last person is blurred. 3rd row:  Morris Conae (with “ud”), Joseph (“Piloto”) Hasson, Louie Cohen, Morris Hasson, Nissim Franco, Aslan Cohen (with daughter in front), Rosha Capelouto Cohen (with Beulah Cohen Moore in front), Behora Mosafir Soriano, Vital Soriano (with Regina Soriano sitting in front), Hermana Caden Alhadeff, Haim Benditcha Israel and Rosa Hasson Israel (holding infant, Morris). 4th row (starting from middle of the photo):  Ruben Pizante, Sarina Altabet, Victor Pizante, Lena Pizante, Ricucha Menashe and 3 children: Regina Nassie Hasson, unknown child and Victor Cohen. 5th row:  Miriam Israel, Rose Israel Cadranel (little girl), Boulisa Angel, Rosa Capelouto, Victoria Angel, Gracia Hasson, Victoria Hasson, Rahel Tarica, Behora Berro, Rahel Tarica Hasson, Behora Benveniste, Luna Hanan Nassie, Mazaltov Hanan Mayo and Yuda Nassie. Back row:  Lou Angel, Mike Angel, Yehuda Angel, Clara Hasson, girl unknown, Rose Pizanti Israel, Mike Capelouto, David Capelouto, Nissim Angel, Jack Angel, Mary Hasson, unknown child, Victor Hasson, unknown child, Louie Benveniste, Isaac “Bob” Benveniste, unknown, Esther Israel.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

buenos-aires

1922 photo: Left to right, standing: Moises Hana, Benjamin Hana, unknown, Alejandro Hana and Hanula Berro. Left to right, sitting: Jose Capeluto, Rachel Cohen, Samuel Hana, Esther Hana de Capeluto, Alejandro Capeluto, Rebecca Mizrahi de Berro, Roberto Berro, and the baby “Muicu” (Moises) Capeluto. Photo from Nora Graciela Cohen. 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1923 photo of the Musafir Family in Rio de Janeiro. Standing: Jacques Israel, Mussani Musafir, Jair Musafir, Ricardo Rahamim Musafir and Victor Musafir. Sitting: Bulissa Musafir Hazan, Rosa Musafir Israel, Rosa Barki Musafir, Lea Alhadeff Musafir, Rebecca Menache Musafir and Leonor Soriano Musafir. Front: Leonard, Charlotte and Josue Hazan. From: Jacques & Ricardo Musafir.

Seattle, Washington

seattle

1924 photo in Seattle of the wedding of Morris Israel and Gentil Levy on the steps of the synagogue of the immigrants from Rhodes called, Ezra Bessaroth. The two flower girls in front are Bona Israel Hasson and Sarah Levy.

Portland, Oregon

portland

1929 groundbreaking ceremony in Portland of the Ahavath Achim Congregation. People in photo include: Ezra Menashe, Zimbul Eskanazi, Fannie Eskanazi, Rabbi Fain, Isaac Hasson, Ojen Babani, Samuel Babani, Benjamin Selling, Rebecca Hasson, Abraham Hasson, Joseph Hasson, Mordechai Menashe, Isaac Cordova and Abraham Hunio.

Harare, Zimbabwe

zimbabwe

1933 photo at the Hunyani river near Harare, Zimbabwe. In the center, standing left to right: Violette Hasson Mizrahi (child at her right hand is Elsie Menasce Mizrahi), Flo Galante Benatar and Hermana Behora Almeleh Hasson. On the ground in front, left to right: Morris Almeleh, Ida Alhadeff Hasson-Lebovitz, Lucia Almeleh Habib (holding Raymond Hasson), Sarina Capelouto Tarica, Victor Capelouto, Sarah Almeleh Rousso and the boy at right is Jacky Ferrera. Child sitting in the “Austin 7” automobile is Solly Benatar, child next to auto is unknown. (3 men in the background are unidentifiable.)

Katanga, Congo

congo

1933 photo of a picnic in the Katanga province of the Congo. Sitting, left to right: Mr. Capelouto, Marco Benatar, Sammy Tarica, a Belgian, Eliachon Piha, Isidore Levy, a Belgian, Selma Benatar, Rosa Soriano, Moreno Soriano, Sam Hasson and Moise Rousso. Standing, left to right: a Congolese, Salvatore Israel, Alfred Habib, Yedid Alhadeff, unknown, and Isaac Levy.

Jerusalem, Israel

jerusalem

1934 wedding of Caden Berro and Masud Dudaie in Jerusalem.

New York, New York

new-york

1935 photo in New York of a banquet held by the Brotherhood League of Rhodes. It was originally organized in 1910 and incorporated in 1912. Similar to the experience in other U.S. cities, a group would be formed to aid the new immigrants regarding burial requirements as well as to conduct religious services and organize social affairs.

Cairo, Egypt

cairo

1935 of the Tarica family in Cairo. Left to right: Elio, Sarina Galante, Eliakim and Violette.

Montevideo, Uruguay

Fotografia “Dolce” of Catalina Tarica and child. From Rose Avzaradel Behar.

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Janell
Janell
1 month ago

My great great grandfather Mauricio (Morris) Hasson was born May 11, 1897 in Rhodes. He and his father Haim moved from Rhodes to Brazil sometime before 1920. There, Mauricio met his wife Izabel Caliguiri, who was born in Brazil but had Italian parents. Mauricio and Izabel emigrated to Los Angeles with their son Wilson Hasson on the Vasari in 1921 and had 4 more children: Matilda, Victor, Catherine, and Ralph Hasson. Mauricio had a brother-in-law in Los Angeles named Juda M Mayo. Mauricio also had a cousin named Irmoas Hasson who lived in Brazil. He is buried in the Home… Read more »

Victor Barocas
3 years ago

My Family is shown in the 1912 photo taken in Atlanta. My mother’s family arrived in Atlanta, Georgia initially in 1903. My Grandfather, arrived with some friends. His name was Victor (Vitaly) Behar. He was on his way to the 100th Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase held in St. Louis – known as the Louisiana Exposition. I still have his book of tickets. He went to find a business to operate in Atlanta. He left and returned in 1911. Shown in the photo are my mother, Louise Behar Barocas; My Aunt Sadie Behar Mardy; My Uncle, Dr. Victor Behar; My… Read more »

Ariel Gerardo López Merchán
Ariel Gerardo López Merchán
4 years ago

Nora Graciela Cohen. Mi nombre es Ariel López Merchán, quisiera contactarme con usted… desde ya muchas gracias

Vincent Franco
Vincent Franco
4 years ago

(from the “Emigration” page): So glad to find your page, especially to see picture of my relatives at the Hunyni River (Rhodesia/Zimbabwe) where we all used to picnic.

Robert Weinraub (from Perú)
Robert Weinraub (from Perú)
5 years ago

I studied in Israel with Samy Tarika(ca) at Mosad Aliya and that was in 1961 and 62. He seems to be mentioned here. Would like to hear his whereabouts. Thanks

aron
Admin
5 years ago

Hi Edelin. I will send you a copy of a family registration document of a Hazdai Hazan who was born in Rhodes in 1899. His parents were Perahia Hazan and Rica Sciami. If that is your family then I could send you more information.

Edelin Gilbert
Edelin Gilbert
5 years ago

I am looking for information on my grandfather Hazdai Hazan who emigrated from Rhodos to France during WW1 (where he had a daughter, Esther, my mother, in 1919) then to Buenos Aires likely early 1920. After several unfruitful attempts for several years, I expect this site might help to find a link with the family he founded in Argentina: the one with his french family was disrupted after the death of my grandmother and all the official documents had to be burned during WW2 in Paris to escape to the Gestapo. Anyway, I thank you very much for implementing such… Read more »

Rachel Ravitch
Rachel Ravitch
5 years ago

This is an incredible page to stumble upon! I am researching the Hasson side of my family, which I know came from Rhodes. My great grandfather, Raymond Hasson immigrated to Los Angeles as a young man. We don’t know anything about his family as he left my great grandmother when my grandmother was only 1 year old. My great grandmother didn’t talk about it much. She remarried quickly and the man she remarried was known as my grandmother’s father and my mom knew him as her grandfather. Does anyone know who the relatives are of the child Raymond Hasson shown… Read more »

Maribel Sanches De Cos Jackson
Maribel Sanches De Cos Jackson
6 years ago

would like to know more about Sam C. Franco and Samuel J. Hanan. Anyone who can help, please email me.

Thank you.

Mari

Rochelle DeLeon
Rochelle DeLeon
7 years ago

My grandpatrnts came from Island of Rhodes in the early 1900 Jacob DeLeon and Sarah Peha.. They come to Seattle. Grandfather one of the founders of Ezra Basarroth. Is there any information on them. My mother Stella Hasson and aunt Flora Hasson came to Los Angles after the consentration camp.

jacob alhadeff
jacob alhadeff
8 years ago

I am yakov, son of issac alhadeff, born in Rhodes in 1916. He emigrated to Israel in august 1939 & died in 1999 in haifa, Israel, where he lived 60 years. His parents sara(notrica) and jacob were sent to aushvitch on july 1944. To their end in august 1944.
Very intersting to read further aspects of the history of the Jewish Community of Rhodes.

Roz Massel
Roz Massel
8 years ago

My grandfather, Ovadia Fiss left Rhodes about 1908 for NY. He went back to bring his wife, Esther and their 3 children to the US. They were related to the Cohen/Soriano families. Not sure on whose side, however. I believe my grandmother’s last name was Hasson. I know very little about their relatives. We had family in New Lots in NY as we used to go visit them. I have identified with being Sephardic my whole life. If anyone remembers them, please let me know. My Grandfather’s brother/family moved to Seattle in the 1930s. My daughter and I will be… Read more »

Nora Graciela Cohen
Nora Graciela Cohen
11 years ago

I’m from Argentina and my family came from Rhodes. The names of the people in the 1922 Buenos Aires picnic photo are: standing: Moises Hana, Benjamin Hana, Unknown, Alejandro Hana and Hanula Berro. Sitting on the grass: Jose Capeluto, Rachel Cohen, Samuel Hana, Esther Hana de Capeluto, Alejandro Capeluto, Rebeca Mizrahi de Berro, Roberto Berro, and the baby Moises Capeluto. They were all born in Rhodes except for the baby that was born in Argentina.

Richard Sadis
Richard Sadis
11 years ago

Photo of New York, New York, 1935, found my grandfather and grandmother (Morris and Julia Sadis) right smack in the middle of that picture. That’s an amazing photo. I just showed the photograph to my Dad and Mom, today Thursday 11/22/2012 Thanksgiving day, it made our family very thankful.

Marc Kopman
Marc Kopman
11 years ago

Most interesting, my grandfather, Marco Habib, arrived in the Congo 1912 from Rhodes and was one of the founders/ pioneers of elizabethville and its jewish community. I was brith milah in the elizabethville synagogue during February 1955 by Rabbi Levy who had officiated at my parents wedding during 1954, he also performed the brith milah of my brother in 1959. I had brief contact with the Rabbis daughter and son about a year ago. Am looking to visit Lubumbashi soon to see the synagogue, cemetery, our home at Avenue Churchill and my school Athenee Royale (if they still exist). Marc… Read more »

Dr. Victor Alhadeff (Ben Ruben - Haim)
Dr. Victor Alhadeff (Ben Ruben - Haim)
11 years ago

Great! I have some pictures to share one day in my forthcoming book (“Memory”). I traveled in five continents when I was the Representative of the World Health Organization until 1999. My Grandpa Alhadeff Salomon Ben Joseph went to Argentina and returned to Rhodes Island. I met relatives in USA: Washington Seatle, California, New Orleans, Atlanta, Miami Florida, York PA, Europe: Belgium, Italy, Spain, France, Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, the Congo where I am born. Today there are two Synagogues: one in Lubumbashi and anothor in Kinshasa. William Kaplan: “In the Katanga photo, is Yedid Alhadeff related to Joseph or… Read more »

Regina Franco Bearman
Regina Franco Bearman
12 years ago

I am the daughter of Isaac and Matilda Franco from Rhodes. I enjoyed seeing a picture of my dad’s brother, Abraham and many of the people in Montgomery and Atlanta. what wonderful photos.

William Kaplan
William Kaplan
12 years ago

In the Katanga photo, is Yedid Alhadeff related to Joseph or Maurice Alhadeff, or possibly actually one of them using a different first name? I am going to be in Rhodes in October, 2011. I am researching my good friend Allegra Alhadeff’s family history prior to our visit. Allegra is the daughter of Joseph (b. in Rhodes) and Rachel Alhadeff (b. in Izmir, fled to Rhodes). She and her 2 brothers have resided in the US since about 1947-8. Her father was a younger brother of Maurice Alhadeff, who brought Joseph to the Congo in the 1920’s to help him… Read more »

Ebondo Mpinga-young
Ebondo Mpinga-young
13 years ago

Iam the grant daughter of Abner Tarica from the Island of Rhodes. He immigrated to Congo just aound the time indicated inthis site He later moved to Canada where he died. Everytime I visited Grand- Pere he got on my case for not making an effort to find his familly members who emmigrated to the United States. He had I beleive 8 sisters. He was the only Boy. Prior to his death i promised him that I will find them all, If you have an uncle, grand father or great grand father with a similar story, please leave a note… Read more »

aron
Admin
13 years ago

Hi Helene. Yes, I’ll email it to you.