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RHODES JUNE 2002 CONFERENCE AND REUNION COMMEMORATED WITH THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

By Aron Hasson

An unforgettable 5 day Conference and Reunion took place in June with cultural events surrounding the dedication of the Holocaust Memorial. The participants came from many countries to share special moments linking them to the Island of Rhodes. It was a remarkable occasion that intertwined learning, reflecting, fun and emotions.

The Conference and Reunion was highlighted by lectures and walking tours of the Jewish Quarter presented by former residents of Rhodes. The program offered the participants, many of whom were descendants of Rhodes, an opportunity to learn about the unique history and heritage of the Jews of Rhodes. The events also included a tour of the Jewish cemetery, which is one of the oldest and best preserved in the world.

The Conference and Reunion was presented and sponsored by The Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation and the Sephardic Educational Center.

The Holocaust Memorial was unveiled on June 23, 2002 in the Square of the Martyred Jews in the former Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Rhodes. It was a respectful ceremony to remember the tragedy that fell upon the Jews of the Islands of Rhodes and Cos. The dedication was a culmination of several years of planning by the Greek government, who authorized the memorial, along with the support by the Jewish Community of Rhodes.

The Holocaust Memorial dedication was preceded by several events, including musical performances, memorial services, a bus tour as well as lunches and dinners. It was well planned and implemented by the President of the Jewish Community of Rhodes, Bella Angel Resti, with special assistance from many others.

June 2002 Lectures at the Kahal Shalom synagogue by former residents of Rhodes:

Left to right: Audience listening to lecturer, Joseph Alhadeff and Isaac Levy.

Left to right: Nace Treves, Albert Almeleh and Stella Levi.


June 2002 Walking Tour of the Jewish Quarter:

A few of the people leading the walking tour.

Joseph Alhadeff describing background history of the Jewish Quarter to the participants.

Touring the streets, buildings and locating families' homes.


June 2002 Holocaust Memorial Dedication:

June 23, 2002 at the Square of the Martyred Jews in the Old City of Rhodes
The monument is six sided wrapped with a barbed wire symbolizing the concentration camps. Each of the six sides has a different language, Greek, Hebrew, English, Judeo-Spanish (Ladino). French and Italian, with the words: IN ETERNAL MEMORY OF THE 1604 JEWISH MARTYRS OF RHODES AND COS WHO WERE MURDERED IN NAZI DEATH CAMPS. JULY 23, 1944.

The photo on the left is of Samuel Modiano and Jack Hasson, both survivors of the Holocaust. The photo on the right is of Lucia Soulam, the caretaker of the Kahal Shalom synagogue and also a survivor.



May 2000 Tour Program Initiated for the Kahal Shalom Synagogue and The Jewish Museum of Rhodes

By Aron Hasson

In May 2000, while in Rhodes, I initiated a model "tour program" for the Kahal Shalom and The Jewish Museum of Rhodes. The synagogue and museum currently receives up to 200 visitors each day in the summer months. The "tour program" offers visitors an interesting opportunity to learn about the history of the synagogue and the Jews of Rhodes. The tour is occasionally being conducted by the Jewish youth of Rhodes and hopefully will be expanded to be a formal tour.

The tour begins with an explanation of how the Jews lived in Rhodes from ancient times through the Middle Ages. The story also explains how as a result of the Spanish Inquisition the Sephardic Jews found refuge in Rhodes and integrated with the pre-existing Romaniot Jewish community. The program then describes how the Jewish community managed to continue living through the Turkish and Italian occupations of the Island and then the unfortunate German occupation, deportation and Holocaust.

The tour then describes the architectural layout of the Kahal Shalom synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Greece, which was built in the 1500’s. Then the tour informs the visitors of the several plaques and artwork on the walls of the synagogue as well as other design details.

The tour is then led through the larger courtyard to The Jewish Museum of Rhodes. Visitors then have an opportunity to view a collection of over 100 photos of Jewish life in Rhodes before the Holocaust - from school and family photos to weddings and social affairs. Playing in the background while the visitors are in the museum is an audiotape of folk songs and prayer songs sung by Jews who were born in Rhodes.




May 1998: The Jewish Museum of Rhodes Enhanced for this Year's Visitors

The Jewish Museum of Rhodes was upgraded this past week for the many visitors expected for this summer and High Holiday season. The improvements were a result of the contributions of many people to The Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation.

The Museum's photographic collection was expanded by adding new photos, and they are now sealed with lamination for better protection and appearance. Among the new additions is a beautifully designed marriage contract ("ketubbah") from 1852. This unique document was shared by Menache Israel of Seattle.

The interior of the Museum was improved by the installation of new lighting and an air conditioning system. This aesthetically improved the Museum, as well as adding comfort from the summer heat. In addition, it makes it a safer environment by eliminating the need for wires along the floor.

In addition to the Museum project, I was able to improve upon the historical information regarding the plaques of the Kahal Shalom synagogue. For the first time, the Hebrew and Ladino plaques now have translations into English. This has enabled many more visitors to understand the content of the several interesting religious dedications of the synagogue. (See the same translations in this web site on the Kahal Shalom page.)

Sincerely,

Aron Hasson





March 1998: Exhibition of the Photos of The Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation has a Special Display at the Jewish Museum of Greece in Athens

The following is a March 1998 photo of a small republicated portion of the photos of The Jewish Museum of Rhodes. They are being displayed at a temporary exhibit of the Jewish Museum of Greece in Athens. Underneath the photo is a letter received from the Jewish Museum of Greece.


Picture taken in March 1998.

13 March 1998

Mr. Aron Hasson
The Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation
10850 Wilshire Boulevard #750
Los Angeles, California 90024

Dear Aron,

The Jewish Museum of Greece would like to express its gratitude for your generous contribution of the historical photos portraying Jewish life in Rhodes prior to the Holocaust.

This interesting material, dedicated to the historically important Jewish community of Rhodes, has notably enhanced the resources of our Museum's photographic archive. In view of the official inauguration of our new premises which took place a few days ago, a number of these photographs have been presented as part of a temporary exhibit, illustrating everyday life in pre-war Jewish Rhodes, which would have been incomplete without your photos. This exhibit has received much attention, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Dodecanese islands to Greece.

Once again, thank you for this valuable addition to the Museum's collection. I look forward to further fruitful collaboration with your Foundation.

Sincerely yours,

Zanet Battinou
Curator

January 1998 Cemetery Restoration Project

Recently, the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community of Rhodes has undertaken the enormous task of restoring and preserving the Jewish cemetery. The project has involved improvements to the tombstones to enhance their construction as well as appearance. The Administrative Committee consists of: Maurice Soriano (President), Albert Covo (Vice President) and Jacob Sakkis (Secretary). The accomplishments of the cemetery restoration project have received respectful praises from individuals and institutions from around the world. In the course of its restoration project, the Administrative Committee recovered over two hundred ancient tombstones. This discovery is historically important since it contains perfectly preserved tombstones as early as the 1500’s. Prior to this recent discovery the oldest Jewish tombstones in Rhodes were from the 1850’s. For additional information with accompanying photos of the tombstones please see the page on this web site entitled "Cemetery".
The two photos below show the "before" and "after" of the tombstone restoration for part of the cemetery.


Picture taken in October 1997.

Picture taken in January 1998 after restoring.

October 1997: The Grand Opening of The Jewish Museum of Rhodes

Re: The Opening of a Museum for "La Juderia" of Rhodes

Dear Interested Friends,

This letter is to inform you that my plan of creating a Museum in Rhodes has been accomplished.

It was completed in time for the large number of visitors who attended Rosh Hashanah services at the Kahal Shalom synagogue. I am enclosing photos showing the Museum. My efforts of establishing the Museum were honored during the services with an announcement regarding the inauguration of the Museum.

The Museum is the first phase of a more comprehensive effort to preserve the history of Rhodes.  In furtherance of this thought, Rhodeslis, and their descendants, may want to share with me in this experience.  Anyone interested may contact this Foundation at my address or telephone number.

Also, this week I have set up an internet web site to promote the establishment and development of The Jewish Museum of Rhodes. The web site will present news, as a focal point of the latest information for the Rhodesli communities around the world. The web site intends to keep people informed of the restoration of the Kahal Shalom synagogue and the Jewish cemetery.

Anyada buena and thank you for your continuous interest and support.

Sincerely,

Aron Hasson

Copyright © 1997-2002 by The Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation.
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