The Rabbis of Rhodes
The Jewish communities of the Ottoman Empire operated as self-governing bodies, known as “millets”. The Jews of Rhodes organized and conducted their communal life according to the teachings of the Jewish traditions.
Because they were so involved with Jewish law and custom, it was necessary for them to have teachers and scholars who could interpret and clarify the requirements of these laws. Consequently, the rabbinic authorities were held in high regard and respect.
A “Chief Rabbi” was assigned to lead the rabbinic authorities. For centuries, the small Sephardic community of Rhodes was fortunate in having a number of additional religious scholars. There were many rabbis and “hahams” in Rhodes to serve the community.
Rhodes was always known for its traditional observance of Judaism. In fact, from 1927 to 1937, Rhodes maintained a Rabbinical College which served the Aegean Sea area.
The last Chief Rabbi of Rhodes was Reuben Eliahu Israel. He served the Jewish community from 1922 to 1932. He was also the 12th descendant of the same religiously prominent family to serve as Rabbis, a succession which lasted over 200 years. Rabbi Israel devoted a great part of his life to the translation in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) of psalms, proverbs, poems and religious works, such as the “Kryiat de Izhak” (The Sacrifice of Isaac) and the “Pirke Avot” (The Sayings of Our Fathers).
4 Rabbis who served during the early 20th Century
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| 1900 of Rabbi Chilebi Nissim Codron | 1915 of Rabbi Yehuda Moshe Franco | 1920 of Rabbi Yakov Capuya | 1931 of Rabbi Reuben Eliahu Israel |
The Rabbinical College
For centuries, the Jewish community of Rhodes held an important position both religiously and geographically. It was home to the Romaniot Jewish community and later to the Sephardic Jewish community. It was an “in-between” position for various Jewish communities of the Aegean Sea and Europe to the Holy Land. It also developed an increased measure of importance relating to questions (“responsas”) for interpreting Jewish laws and practices.
In 1928 the Rabbinical College was established as the natural need for the development of a center for spiritual learning. The school attracted professors and students from several countries and earned an international reputation. Its graduates have played important roles in several Jewish communities.
Originally, the Rabbinical College was located in the Old City of Rhodes in the Jewish Quarter. Later it was moved to larger premises in the New City of Rhodes.
In 1938 the College was closed down when the anti-Jewish laws were passed by the Governor of Rhodes. In its relatively short existence, it had become one of the leading rabbinical seminaries among Sephardic communities.
1934 Rabbinical College of Rhodes
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Students and Professors, left to right:Top row: Albert Fintz, Jacques Taraboulos, Moise Capelouto, Herzl Cohen, Rafael Capelouto, Haim Menashe, Moise Israel, Aron Angel and Moise Levy. 2nd row: Henri Camhi, David Harari, Prof. Calabro, Prof. Bergman, Prof. Marcus, Michel Sidis and Jacques Camhi. Front row: Samuel Levy, Samuel Cohen, Prof. Breger, Director Pacifici, Prof. Azus, Robert Hanan and Haim Aboulafia. |
1934 Diploma
| Diploma of Rabbi Michael Albagli. He was born in Izmir, Turkey and graduated from the Rabbinical College in Rhodes. He later served as the Rabbi for the Rhodes Jewish communities of Los Angeles, California and later in Portland, Oregon. |  |
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| A study room of the Rabbinical College. This was a time when the Italian government was tolerant of Jewish activities. | This is the reading table (known as the “teva”), which was used by the students for religious study. | Professors, sitting, left to right: Rabbi Marcus Breger (Prof. of the Talmud), Riccardo Pacifici (the Director) and Shlomo Azus (Prof. of Shohet and Mohel). Standing left to right: Mr. C. Calabro (Prof. of Mathematics), Mr. F. Bergmann (Prof. of French) and Mr. Simon Marcus (Prof. of Hebrew). |
The 4 Locations of the Rabbinical College
The first two locations were within the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and the last two were in the New City.
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| The first location was owned by the Alhadeff family on Calle de los Ricos. | For a few years the College was housed in a building built by the Crusaders (the Hospice of Saint Catherine). | The Rabbinical College located in the New City of Rhodes with the Aegean Sea in the background. | Photo of the last location of the College, also located in the New City until it was closed in 1938. |
1934 list of the Rabbinical students of Rhodes and their city of origin:
| Name | City |
|---|---|
| Aboulafia, Haim | Izmir |
| Angel, Aharon | Bourgas |
| Camhi, Jacques | Alexandria |
| Capelouto, Moise | Island of Cos |
| Capelouto, Raphael | Rhodes |
| Cohen, Herzl | Rhodes |
| Cohen, Samuel | Izmir |
| Fintz, Albert | Andrinople |
| Hanan, Robert | Rhodes |
| Harari, David | Alexandria |
| Iakoel, Moise | Alexandria |
| Israel, Moise | Rhodes |
| Kamri, Henri | Cairo |
| Levy, Moise | Rhodes |
| Levy, Samuel | Rhodes |
| Menashe, Haim | Rhodes |
| Romano, Maurice | Sarajevo |
| Sidis, Michel | Rhodes |
| Sutton, Mourad | Aleppo |
| Taraboulos, Jacque | Cairo |
1932 of the funeral procession of Chief Rabbi Reuben Eliahu Israel.
The Extraordinary Israel Family Rabbinical Lineage
There was a unique family on the island of Rhodes which provided the Jewish community with a lineage of rabbis, all coming from the Israel family. Please find below two charts of this family which has been compiled by Leon Taranto.
Leave a Comment
26 Responses to “The Rabbis of Rhodes”
April 2nd, 2013
Leon Taranto:
To Joseph Cohen: I would like to follow-up with you concerning your message on our Capouya/Capuya family. I have developed a 1550+ person tree for our Capouya family, on which I have been working for almost 20 years. I would be interested in comparing information with you. If your parents are Sol Franco and Albert Cohen, I have you in our tree. I was pleased to have the honor of speaking quite a bit, and corresponding and spending time with your Uncle Herzl Franco, Yes, I am on Facebook, so you can reach me there. Alternatively, Aron Hasson can place you in contact with me. Or you can write to me at lbtept@aol.com Please contact me. Leon Taranto
April 2nd, 2013
Leon Taranto:
To Marisa Dichter: Several different sources, including the book by Marc Angel on the Jews of Rhodes, refer to King Victor Emmanuel’s knighting of Rabbi Reuben Eliyahu Israel, the last of his family to serve as Grand Rabbi of Rhodes from the very early 1700s to his death around 1931. How are you related? If you can provide the specifics to me, I would be pleased to add you to our extensive family tree. Leon Taranto
March 31st, 2013
Marisa Dichter:
I’m in the middle of writing a genealogy report for a college course and this Website has proven to be really helpful!
I am a direct descendant of Rabbi Reuben Eliyahu Israel, he is my great great great grandfather. I currently reside in Seattle, WA. According to my family, Rabbi Reuben Eliyahu Israel was honored by the King of Italy at some point, have you found any proof of that?
Thanks!
January 7th, 2013
Joseph Cohen:
To: Elias Gateno Capuya, Judith Brudner, Alberto Capuya, Leon Taranto (and others..) I just read your messages. It appears that we are far cousins since our great grand father was Rabbi Yaacov Capuya. I have made extensive research on my origins and established a genealogy tree on Heritage.com. If you are interested, please contact me. Are you on Facebook? Joseph Cohen, living in Paris
December 28th, 2012
Solomon Azouz:
Thank you for the great work! My grandfather’s grandfather is Shlomo Azus (pictured). I am trying to get some more information on where he was from. Any other documents or information that mention him?
November 27th, 2012
al maimon:
i just found this part of the site- a very impressive work.i want to study it more before making a comprehensive comment, but for now, i have two comments:
1- jack raiton, a voice from the past, hi, i hope you read this, we grew up close to each other for awhile… and have lost touch, i hope all is well with you, lo’ores alDio, we’re doing well… i’d love to hear from you and “catch up” the last 50 or 60 years…
2- fyi, about the origins of the name gallant(e or i), i have found it told in a book called shem hagedolim, a very significant bibliographic/ biographic work, written at the end of the 18th century by a rabbi haim yosef david azulai. he writes that, in about the 15th, early 16th century, the name gallant(e/i) was taken by a rabbi, rabbi moshe, in rome, where his father had dealings at court, and he made a very positive impression there because of his demeanor, presence and values and he was called “il gallant”, and from then on, his family name became gallant(e/i) instead of his original name angel…
August 19th, 2012
Saul:
Wow. What an amazing piece of work! My father has been in posession of a huge photo of an original painting of his great great grandfather rabbi Michael yaakov ISRAEL. We havent been able to find out more abour him until now. All we knew was that he was a chief rabbi of rhodos. What a tremendous zechut to finally see our lineage. I would love to know where I could find more information regarding any family as we have no connection with this extremely rich heritage. Again – thanks for the amazing family tree. We can now trace our lineage all the way to the 1500s!
July 28th, 2012
Gabriel Capuia:
Mis bisabuelos vinieron a Argentina Buenos Aires en el 1900 desde esmirna turquia.
Me gustaria conocer sobre mi familia parterna quienes puedan aportar informacion les dejo mi email.
Gabriel.capuia@gmail.com desde ya muchas gracias
October 30th, 2011
Elias Gateño Capuya:
Judith: Soy hijo de Guilson Capuya de Gateño hija del Rabino Jacob Capuya. Ella tenia un hermano, Isaac, que vivía en Argentina seria para mi un gusto comunicrme contigo. Yo se que mi mama tenia varias hermanas y hermanos. Bolisa, Sarina, yo nací en Asuncion, Paraguay.
Mi correo: gatenoelias@gmail.com
Nos vemos pronto.
September 25th, 2011
liba breger feuerstein:
dear aron,
felicitations as well as congratulations, all honor–kol ha-kavod–are due you and your work regarding the jewish community of rhodes. may 5772 be a year bounded by sweetness, robust health and friendship among all jews, all israel and may the world gain the joy of a honeyed peace.
affectionately,
liba breger feuerstein
December 5th, 2010
Jack Raiton:
My maternal grandmother, born in Rhodes and later came to the USA, was Hanula Israel Angel. Her parents (my great grandparents)and her siblings all remained in Rhodes and presumably perished during World War II. Her parents (my great grandparents) were Samuel Israel and Rizula Cohen Israel.
Do you have any records of Samuel Israel, Rizula Cohen Israel or their children (other than Hanula)?
Thank-You,
Jack Raiton
Portland, Oregon
October 27th, 2010
Judith Brudner:
I want to know about my grandmother Amada Kaplan, born in Rhodes, married to Isaac Capuya. They emigrate to Argentina.
Para Roberto Capuya, como hago para comunicarme contigo? por favor mandame un mail a mi casilla
jugut24@hotmail.com
soy Judith, la hija de Maruca
October 17th, 2010
Carol Gallant Marks:
I believe that the name, Galante that I saw on a stone tablet on the facade of the synagogue might be my ancestor who I was told had been a Chief Rabbi of Spain during the Inquisition. I know there were Galante families on Rhodes in the 1900′s, but I can’t find a reference to the stone tablet on the synagogue that seemed to be of the founding families. Do you have any information about this?
I have been reading about the Jewish exodus from Rhodes to Buenos Aires. I was om Buenos Aires several years ago, and met a member of the synagogue, who told me that there were Galante members there. I also noted about 50 Galante names in the phone book. How do I know if these are related to my family? Thank You
October 4th, 2010
Sara Varzan:
Judith, I just realized that our great great grandfather was a Rabi, what a blessing. I also want to know more about our family so if anyone has information please share it with us. all the best
September 30th, 2010
Jack Raiton:
My mother was Katherine Angel of Seattle, daughter of Ralph Angel and his wife, Hanulah, both originally from Rhodes.
I notice Aharon Angel of Bourgas and Aron Angel, who attended the Rabbinical College of Rhodes in 1934. Do you have any further information on these two gentlemen? Are they related to Ralph (Raphael) Angel, my grandfather and father of my mother. Ralph’s father’s name was Yehudi and his mothers name was sometimes Boulisa Esther and sometimes Kaden (my mother’s and granddaughter’s Hebrew name)Esther.
I grew up in Seattle at the Ezra Bessaroth, first on Fir St and then in the Seward Park area. Oddly, I had my Bar Mitzvah at the Sephardic Bikur Cholem (Rabbi Maimon) because EB was in the process of moving from Fir St to the Seward Park area. I now attend Neveh Shalom in Portland.
Thank you, Jack Raiton of Portland, Oregon
September 19th, 2010
aron:
I have a list of the students, which includes your brother. It states his name as “Maurizio Romano” and it says that he was from “Sarajevo”. I’ll email the copy of the page to you.
September 19th, 2010
Romano Jakob:
I am the brother of Romano Maurice from Sarajevo who studied in Rhodes in 1934 and you mentioned in the list in your site. do you have any document of his studies? Shana Tova sincerly yours, Jacob Romano, ISRAEL
September 4th, 2010
romano raphael:
Jewish museum of Rhodes: In the list of the graduate of the 1934 year, you published on your site, appears the name of my father Romano Maurice from Sarjevo. I wonder if you have more infromation about his studies? what was he studied? how many and where did he go when he finished the studies. Do you know what did he do un the period before world war 2. Thank you in advance. yours, raphel romano
July 25th, 2010
liba breger feuerstein:
Dr. Marcus Breger, rabbi and professor of Talmud, later Av Bet Din–in Rhodes– distinguished himself in many fields. A collossus, he strode many worlds. Mussolini invited R. Breger to Collegio Rabbinico and exiled him from it. He secured refuge -together w/ his wife, Dr Bertha Breger and his daughter, born in Rhodos, in Tucson, Arizona–til he enlisted in the U.S. army even though he was an enemy alien. Rising from Private to Major–highest ranking Jewish chaplain in the Pacific area. Receiving Army-Air Force commendation for providing kosher l’pesach food and wine for the Jews in Shanghai and other Jewish refugee enclaves, Dr Breger returned to serve as rabbi in the town that offerred haven to his family after his expulsion from Rhodes. He served as Mara D’atra of much of Jewry in the American southwest founding most of the Jewish communal organizations. Upon his retirement from the active rabbinate life, r.Breger taught Jewish Studies at the University of Missouri. Returning to Tucson, my father founded the Judaica Dep’t at the University of Arizona. A man of extraordinary accomplishment, he remained a teacher and mentor till his dying hours. His ultimate hours he spent in editing a text, The Jews of Rhodes, m. angel.
The University of Arizona has established a rabbinics library–mostly from his personal library, some of which date back to the halcyon days in Rhodos. A lecture series at the university is dedicated to his and my mom’s memories. Remembered as the chief rabbi of the Southwest and, of course, Arizona, my father led a Kollel for all the rabbis of the area in Talmud. The crown of a good name brings nachat to all…..My father bore that crown most humbly….
July 20th, 2010
Moshe G.:
my great great grandfather was Rabbi Nissim Codron. is he related to Rabbi Capuya? if yes, how? my great grandfather was Yaacov Codron, married my great grandmother Mazal-Tov Alaluf, also from Rhodes. they immigrated to the Belgium Congo by world war 2.
July 19th, 2010
Judith Brudner:
Alberto, claro que me acuerdo de vos, sos el hermano de Raquelita, como andan todos? Estoy muy interesada en saber cosas de nuestros antepasados, como y cuando llegaron a America, porque vinieron, donde vivian en Rodhes, TODO lo que sepas por favor. Con el que mas contacto tengo es con Davy Coen. Lo del apellido de la abuela Amada ya se, me equivoque al escribir.
For Leon Taranto, you are right, my grandma was Sara, so you are my mother’s third cousin. How can I do to get that tree that you are talking about? I would love to share information with you!!!
July 18th, 2010
Alberto (Beto) Capuya:
Querida Judith. Asumo que sos hija de mi prima “maruca” Miriam Varzan y nieta de Sara Capuya que fue hermana de mi padre Roberto Capuya y tia mia. El rabino Jacob Capuya fue el padre de mi abuelo Isaac quien estuvo casado con Amada Caplan (no Cohen). Por lo tanto Jacob Capuya seria tu bisabuelo materno. No tengo demasiada información. pero si puedo ayudarte lo hare con gusto. besos para todos
May 2nd, 2010
Leon Taranto:
For Judith Brudner: I have developed an extensive tree for our Capouya (Capuya/Capuia) family, through which we are cousins. Your grandmother Sara Capuya was a granddaughter to Yaacov (Jacob) Capuya (rabbi of the Kahal Gadol on Rhodes), making you his great-great-granddaughter. His brother Raphael was my great-grandfather.
April 8th, 2010
aron:
Yes, you’re correct, the last location of the Rabbinical College is located at the end of Laskou street in the New City of Rhodes.
April 8th, 2010
Magnus Alkarp:
First of all: this is a really impressive site. Nearly as impressing as your museum. (I visit Rhodes every year). I have a question about the photo of the last location of the Rabbinical College. The building seems very familiar to me. Is it at Laskou street, close to Papalouka?
February 1st, 2010
Judith Brudner:
I am a descendant from Yakov Capuya, he might be my gret grandfather, I live in Paraguay, South America and my grandfather was Isaac Capuya, who came to Argentina, married to Amada Cohen. I would like to know more about my ancesters and the only person that could tell me, is already dead, my grandmother, but even she didn’t know much because she was born in Argentina.