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    The former Jewish Quarter of Rhodes is located in the eastern section of the Old City of Rhodes near the pier of the cruise ships. The Kahal Shalom synagogue and The Jewish Museum of Rhodes are located on Dossiadou Street (see map below). They are open daily during the tourist season (April 1st to November 1st) from 10am to 4pm. If you are traveling to Rhodes during the off-season you may visit the synagogue and museum by making prior arrangements with the office of the Jewish Community of Rhodes.
    The Jewish community of Rhodes consists of approximately 40 people. The Kahal Shalom synagogue conducts High Holiday services, as well as Friday night services when there is a minyan. There is no kosher facility in Rhodes.

Map & Highlights of "La Juderia"

1. "La Calle Ancha" located at the end of the "Square of the Martyred Jews"
   The square was the heart of the Jewish Quarter and was situated between the residential area and the business district. The main street was known for hundreds of years as "La Calle Ancha" which means in the Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino") language "the wide street". The present fountain ornamented with three seahorses replaced a previous fountain that was destroyed during World War II.
   
2. Holocaust Memorial; located in the "Square of the Martyred Jews"
   The Holocaust Memorial was dedicated on June 23, 2002 in memory of the World War II victims from Rhodes and the island of Cos. The dedication of the black granite column was a culmination of several years of planning by the Greek government in collaboration with the Jewish Community of Rhodes.
   The monument is six sided, each having a different language: Greek, Hebrew, English, French, Italian and Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino"). The memorial is inscribed 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."
   Background information: The memorial is located in what is now a small park at one end of "La Calle Ancha". The park is an area that used to be Jewish homes. The homes were bombed during World War II, and in its place was established the present day park.
   
3. Joseph Notrica Donation of 1915; located on the corner of Perikleous & Ikarou Streets
   
   There are a few homes surrounding a courtyard that was donated by Joseph Notrica for the Jewish community. There are two plaques, one on each side of the corner.
   Background information: Joseph Notrica was a prominent banker who had no children. The income monies received were designated to help the poor of the community, particularly for needy children. The courtyard has a prominent date palm tree, and it was known to the community as "El Datlar".
   Translation from Italian and Hebrew: "House of Joseph. The houses around this courtyard are dedicated to the benefit of the community's institutions. Donated by our beloved Mr. Joseph Notrica, son of Masliah, and his wife Mrs. Boulissa. To establish a name for them in Israel for generations to come. Rhodes, this 21st day of the month of Sivan, 5675 (1915)."
4. Alhadeff Family Donation Plaque of 1935 ; located on Calle de los Ricos (#5 Gavala Street)
   Background information: In September 1935 there was an article written regarding the above donation in "El Boletin", which was the Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino") newspaper for the Jewish Community of Rhodes. It was written in the section called "News from Our Community", entitled "A Beautiful Example". The following is an English translation:
   In our edition before last, we gave public recognition to our eminent coreligionist Isacco Alhadeff's fine gesture towards our Community. His generosity did not stop there. We can now announce that he has donated the first floor of one of his two apartments located in building number one.
   With this new donation, he enables economically disadvantaged students in our school to continue with their studies. He probably wished to put into practice the shining principle that our wise teachers once stated: "If there is no bread, there is no law, and if there is no law, there is no bread". We can only welcome the donor's latest generous gesture and we hope that his actions and example are emulated by other people.
   The plaque translated from "Ladino" states: "In the Good Name, Donations of Isaac A. Alhadeff; for the benefit of the Jewish community of Rhodes; this building civ. No. 1, Street of the Rich, consisting of both floors; the top floor donated in memory of their deceased parents: Giacobbe Alhadeff, Rachelle Alhadeff. The first floor donated of her name, and in where of his dignified spouse senora Rebecca Alhadeff. In the building civ. No. 3, where the revenue goes to the organization of the "Refectorio School" of this community in memory of their deceased grandparents: Hagi Buhor Salomon Alhadeff, Esther Alhadeff. In the building civ, No. 5, where the revenue goes to the "Rabbinical College" of this community. Rhodes, 14 December 1935, XIV. The Jewish community is grateful."
   
5. Kahal Tikkun Hazot Synagogue; located on Calle de los Ricos (#8 Gavala Street)
   The "Tikkun Hazot" was built in the 1870's and the name comes from the "midnight service" and refers to the services at dawn.
   Background information: It is situated on the street known in Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino") as Calle de los Ricos, because the wealthier people lived on that street. The synagogue was therefore informally called "Kehila de los Ricos" because it was attended by the wealthier families of the Jewish community.
   
6. Old Jewish Cemetery; located just outside the wall of the Old City
   The cemetery existed there for hundreds of years until 1938, when it was forced to be moved by the Italian fascist government to its present location 1½ kilometers (1 mile) away.
   
7. Alhadeff Park; located in the central part of the Jewish Quarter
   This park cross-sects (intersects) a main part of the old Jewish Quarter. The street running through the park is called Salomon Alhadeff Street. In 1933 the land was donated to the city of Rhodes by the prominent Jewish family of Salomon Alhadeff.
   
8. Kahal Grande Synagogue; located between Calle de Kahal Grande and Calle de la Escola (between Thiseos & Kisthinou Streets)
   The full name of the synagogue was the Kahal Kadosh Gadol (the Holy Great Congregation) and was also called Kehila Grande in Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino"). During World War II the synagogue was accidentally damaged by Allied bombings targeting German ships docked at the nearby port.
   The remains of the Kehila Grande, including the perimeter, floor and other features can still be seen. Along the northern walkway are two seating areas.
   Background information: The synagogue is believed to have been built in the late 1400's after the Turkish siege of 1480. It actually replaced an existing Jewish synagogue that was built earlier but destroyed by cannon balls during the conflict of 1480. It is understood that this synagogue was attended by the Greek speaking Romaniot Jews. Subsequent to the arrival of the large number of Sephardic Jews in the 1500's the synagogue eventually utilized the Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino") language and rituals.
   Although heavily damaged in 1944 during World War II bombings, the structural walls of the Kehila Grande synagogue remained standing for several more years. During the next thirty years, the walls collapsed and the area filled with rubble. In 2003, the Greek government cleared away the 4 feet of debris which had accumulated exposing the foundation of the perimeter walls, floors and other features.
   
9. 1904 Dedication Plaque of the Alliance Israelite Universelle School; located in the center of Calle de la Escola (Kisthniou Street)
   The dedication plaque above the fountain of the Jewish school of Rhodes is all that exists today. The large two story building was damaged during the bombings of World War II and eventually came down during the 1960's.
   Background information: During an August 1903 visit to Rhodes, the Baron and Baroness Edmond de Rothschild donated 15,000 francs to build the school. The school building was completed at the end of 1904. During the Italian occupation, the school changed its name to "Scuole Israelitiche Italiani". Different from previous schools in Rhodes, the Alliance school was attended not only by boys, but girls as well. Included in the entryway is a 1913 inscription that recognizes the beneficial deeds of the Italian regional administrator.
   
10. Notrica Foundation Community Building; located at the north end of Calle de la Escola (Kisthiniou Street)
    Established during the 1920's this building was used as a Jewish community center for several purposes. This building was donated by the Joseph Notrica Foundation to the Jewish Community of Rhodes. It is now a Greek school.
    Background information: As explained by Heskia Franco, in his book the Martyrs of Rhodes and Cos: "The Jewish Community had a fine building, called the Notrica Foundation, a Foundation which was established thanks to the generosity of Joseph Masliah Notrica, our great benefactor. The ground floor was used for overflow classes from our school which was next door. The upper floor housed the Community's offices and those of the Bene Brith Association, and a vast hall was used for lectures, and also as a meeting place for all Community activities. This splendid Foundation was an honour to our Community and to its generous Founder."
    At the top left facade is a white plaque with the inscription (translated from Greek): "Establishment of Joseph Notrica".
    
11. "Puerta de la Mar"; located in the northeast corner of the Old City
    Translated from Judeo-Spanish ("Ladino") "Door to the Sea". This was a relatively small gateway to the sea and was situated in the northeast residential area of the Jewish Quarter.
    
12. The Rabbinical College; located at the end of La Calle Ancha
    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.
    During that time it had 4 locations. The first two locations of the Rabbinical College were located in the Old City of Rhodes in the Jewish Quarter while the second two premises were located in the New City of Rhodes.
    For a few years (approximately 1929 to 1932) the Rabbinical College was temporarily housed in a building built by the Crusaders, the Hospice of Saint Catherine. This is at the end of "La Calle Ancha" as it was known to the Rhodeslis and this part of the street was called "el espejo" in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) because it looked like a mirror.
    
13. Plaque of 1767; located in the middle of Calle de Talmud Torah (#4 Vizantiou Street)
    The small white tablet is located above a doorway located close to the Kehila Midrash synagogue. In this small room was where the community coffins were kept.
    Translation from Hebrew: "With a good sign, this 8th day, month of Nisan, year 5527(1767) from creation of the world."
    
14. Kahal Midrash Synagogue; located in the middle of Calle de Talmud Torah (Vizantiou Street)
    The Kehila Midrash was built in 1865 by the wealthy Camondo family from Constantinople (Istanbul). It was located upstairs and is the vault area above the street. It is currently a residence.
    Background information: it was built with money donated by the wealthy banker, Abraham Camondo. It became known as a synagogue which had shorter religious services than other synagogues.
    The Talmud Torah (religious training school) was located across the street from the synagogue. After the Talmud Torah was closed in the late 1920's, it was replaced by the public oven of Yakov Gabriel.
    
15. Kahal Shalom Synagogue & the Jewish Museum of Rhodes; located on Calle de Kahal Shalom (Simiou Street)
    The Kahal Shalom, also known as Kehila Shalom, is the oldest synagogue in Greece, and the sole remaining Jewish synagogue on Rhodes used for services. The Kehila Shalom is believed to have been built in the year 1577. The full name of the building is Kahal Kadosh Shalom (the Holy Congregation of Peace).
    The interior of the Kehila Shalom synagogue follows the traditional Sephardic style of having the "tevah" (the prayer reading table) in the center of the sanctuary facing southeast toward Jerusalem. The floor is decorated with black and white mosaic stone patterns, which is a distinctive design motif used throughout the Old City of Rhodes. On both sides of the synagogue are two courtyards with a traditionally designed stone pattern.
    There is also a balcony that was created in 1935, as a result of a liberalization of religious policy, to be used as a women's prayer area. Prior to that time the women sat in the rooms adjacent to the south wall of the synagogue that viewed the sanctuary through curtained openings. Those rooms are now being utilized for the Jewish Museum of Rhodes.
    

Square of the Martyred Jews

Hotels and Accomodations

Excursion to the Jewish Cemetery

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