Family Trees, Stories and Travels

Family Photo Trees

Meir Israel and Rahel Piha Family Tree

Aron Menashe & Caden Benveniste Family Tree (Updated April 2022)

Mussani (Moshe) Tarica & Rica Turiel Family Tree (Updated February 2022)

Five Sons of Joseph Behor Hasson & Luna Hanan Family Photo Tree

Samuel Benoun & Perla Menashe Family Tree (Updated February 2022)

Isaac Menashe & Reina Benoun Family Photo Tree

We invite you to share your family tree, stories, and travel photos, email: info@rhodesjewishmuseum.org

For genealogy resources, visit: Links.


Photographs of Rhodes

Circa 1910s. Elders of “La Juderia” (L-R). Israel Sadis, Mrs. Menashe, Isaac Cohen, La Hermana Caden, Isaac Codron, Miriam Pihas Kapuya, Haham Yacov Kapuya and Estrella (de Nessim) Hasson. From: RJHF Archives

1925 photo of the students of the Alliance Israelite Universelle school. Included in the photo are: Joseph Hougnou, Aaron Franco, Leon Raphael Franco, Yedid Alhadeff, Rafael Capelouto, Victor Soriano, Victor Shemaria, Victor Amato, Salvator H. Alhadeff, Leon Capelouto, Alberto Levy, Adam Kabouli, Albert Menashe, Jacques Sourmani, Moshe Rozio, Amelie Capelouto, Violette Mayo-Fintz, Yomtov Notrica, Bertha Israel, Hiskia Galante, Aldo Lattes (Director), Salomon Capelouto, Moshe Hougnou, Moise Vital, Mathilda Merjian-Cohen, Marie Alhadeff, Marie Alhadeff, Salvator Alhadeff, Isaac Avzaradel, Saul Menashe, Victor Capelouto, Alberto Sourmani, Nissim Ferrera, Moshe Hasson, Isaac Capelouto, Haim Habib and Albert Capouya. From: RJHF Archives

Circa 1925 Purim. L-R: unknown, Tamar Capeluto, Vida Capeluto, unknown and Esther Capeluto Huniu. From: Susan Weiss. Rhodesli Jewish Calendar March 2020.

1927 Sukkot in Rhodes. Left: Reina Amato Morel. On the right, wearing a fez is Behor Amato, his wife, Rachel Capeluto Amato & his son, Aron (Harold) Amato. The two at the back are unknown. From: Michele Amateau. Rhodesli Jewish Calendar September 2018.

1927 B’nai B’rith photo. Sitting (L-R) Rafael Capelouto, Behor Israel, unknown, Prof. Michaeloff and Nessim Benatar. Standing: Avraham Hasson, Rafael Franco, Mr. Alhadeff (father of Narcis), Hasdai Hasson, the remaining six and the man with the beard (back) are unknown. From: RJHF Archives

1930 Sukkot. L-R: Rebecca Capelluto Alhadeff Souhami, Amelie Notrica Hasson, Reina Notrica Capelluto, Rosa Capelluto Souhami and Rahamin (Raymond) Capelluto. From: Rosa Capelluto Souhami. Rhodesli Jewish Calendar September 2018.

Circa 1930s Purim. Left: Graciela Cohen. Center: Alice Notrica standing on the left side of the woman (unknown) with a hat and cigarette, Susana Misrachi (Mizrahi), Rica Israel in a sailor costume and Graciela Menashe, 2 unknowns. Sitting in front: Peppo Notrica and Elsa Surmani with a headpiece. From: Ana Pilosof

Circa 1930s in front of the stadium. Standing: Joana Galante, Estrella Galante, Stella Shemaria & Stella Galante. Sitting: Dora Shemaria & Victoria Levy. From: Louie Shemaria

Circa 1930s Isaac (center) and Matilda Mizraki (right) on a horse carriage. From: Ginette Mizraki

1931 photo of girls swimming at the beach outside “La Puerta de la Mar”. (L-R): Rachelle Cohen, unknown (girl with hand in air), Rachel Almeleh, Lena Hasson Cohen, Richeta Almeleh Piha and Estella Hasson. In the water at the far left is Stella Levi. From: RJHF Archives

1935 Sukkot lunch in the courtyard of the Levi Family home. Left to right: Sara Levi, Rivka Cohen and Miriam Notrica. The finest embroideries and handmade “chevres” prominently decorated the walls of the sukka. From: Stella Levi

1935 Wedding procession of Daniel Bohor Israel & Julia Hasson along La Kaye Ancha. From: Rose Benon

1938 (L-R): Front: Briliante Cadranel, Ginette Hasson, Regina Hasson, Vida Levi and Stella Shemaria. Standing: unknown, Dora Shemaria, Renee Levi & Fortunata Soriano. From: RJHF Archives

1938 Musicians in Rhodes. Standing L-R: Esther Galante, Estrella Galante (guitar), Victoria Notrica, Guiseppo Notrica (ud), Yosef Notrica (kannon), Nessim Pilosof (violin). Front: 2 unknown & Isaac Pilosof. From: RJHF Archives


Family Stories 

The Source of the Alhadeff Family Name by Vittorio Alhadeff. (Translated by Rachel Alhadeff Roditi)


Laura Codron’s grandparents: Mousani & Rivca Codron. Left is her cousin Perla Levi, at the back is her uncle, Isidore Sonsol, holding Laura’s brother Maurice. Laura’s family were all killed in Nazi Germany concentration camps. From: Ketty & Norman Amato Family.

Read Laura Codron’s Story by Noah Botman.


Added on May 4th, 2012: A 1922 photo of Caden Bili, Yacov Levy and child: Alberto Levy.  The following is the story sent with the photo:  “I am trying to trace my Rhodesli cousins and/or their descendants: Alberto Levi, married to Stella Bega and his sister Selma Levi. Their parents were Giacobbe Levi and Caden Bili (Billis). Alberto was born in 1913, married 11 Oct 1935 to Stella Bega. They left Rhodes immediately after the wedding and arrived in Buenos Aires on 4th Nov 1935. Alberto’s sister Selma Levi was born in 1925 and left at the age of 14 also for Buenos Ayres in 1939. Their parents stayed in Rhodes with their grandmother Mazaltov Berescit, married Bili. Mazaltov was my great-grandmother. She died in 1940 aged 8O. Caden & Giacobbe Levi-Bili were my great-aunt and great-uncle. They were amongst the victims of the Nazi horror and died in Auschwitz in 1944.  I have the Bili family tree going back until 1750 in Izmir, Turkey.  I would be very grateful for any clue that can help me find them, or in case any of my cousins would read this message, please contact me.   Many thanks, Sonja Vansteenkiste-Bilé, Belgium“. (*June 2012 Update: Through this website, Sonja was able to reconnect to her family.) Read Sonja’s article: Rhodes Revisited.  

Sonja Vansteenkiste-Bile (of the Bili, Franco, Levi and Soriano) at Thisseos Street.

“Having checked the census records again for the address of my other great-aunt, Caden Bili and husband Giacobbe Levi, I went to see “Calle de Kahal Grande”, now Thisseos Street. My great-grandmother Mazaltov Bili-Béresi had lived with them for about 30-40 years and finally died there at the age of 80. They lived at number 18 nearly across the remains of the great Synagogue. The street is still there but unfortunately a small row of houses has been destroyed, number 18 being one of them. Starting from the last existing row house, I tried to figure out where the original house must have stood. I ended up on the spot where today grows a very big, nice tree, the only one in the whole street. Under the blue sky of this very quiet and warm April afternoon I was moved by the thought of being on the very spot where my great-grandmother had lived half of her life and finally died. It gave me a good feeling that the only tree is growing exactly there and I touched it as though I would have touched the house that had stood in its place so many years before.” -Sonja Bile


Travel Photographs

The Benouns and Hassons with Moshe and Lucia Sulam in Rhodes. From: RJHF Archives

Sepora Amato Benoun (born in Rhodes) next to the Yuda & Miriam Levi family home. From: Aron Hasson

1974 in Rhodes. From: Jeanette Benveniste. Read her article: “Wedding Stairway.”

Rhodeslis sharing a meal. From: Jo Mallel

Hasson cousins in Rhodes 1995.

4 Survivors of the Holocaust reuniting at the cortiju of the Kahal Shalom: Stella Levi, Eliezer Surmani, Sami Modiano & Stella De Leon. 

2 Survivors of the Holocaust Sami Modiano and Jack Hasson at the unveiling of the Holocaust Memorial, June 23, 2002. 

Rhodeslis at the Seahorse Fountain. 

Rhodeslis from Los Angeles in Rhodes 2002. 

Rhodeslis from Los Angeles, Portland, and Atlanta touring together in 2002. The photo was taken on the steps in the Piazza del Fuoco

Rhodeslis from Congo attending the Rhodes Event, July 20, 2007. 

Joe and Kathy Benoun next to Perla Menashe Benoun’s embroidery.

Galante, Benveniste and Hasson Families in Rhodes 2008. 

The Jason (Hasson) Family in Rhodes 2008. From: Benny Jason

Neil Sheff Family with Sami Modiano. Read Sammy Sheff’s story: My Visit to Rhodes.

Sol Menashe, Sami Modiano, and Stella Levi at the Rhodes Event. From: Benny Jason

Had a great time…Many coincidences as usual:

  1. The afternoon I arrived there (Rhodes), I was about to get into a rented car. There were two Greeks chatting away in Greek leaning against the car. When they saw me, one said, in English, that I should check the dents in the car before taking it. How did he know I spoke English? His accent was familiar, so I asked him if he had lived in Rhodesia. Yes – it turned out to be a schoolmate of mine I had not seen in 50 years!
  2.  At the schul one of a group of young Israelis mentioned he had Menashe in his family. It turned out to be the grandson of my cousin Matilda who was saved from Auschwitz and lived with me in Rhodesia until she got married.
  3. One American turned out to have his office in Scottsdale just a few feet from where my wife works.
  4. One Brazilian visitor said her mother’s family was Capouya–I asked if she had relatives in Buenos Aires. Yes, her aunt used to be there and married a Menashe – my uncle.
  5. A new picture was added to the museum – it has my mother on it as a young girl. These things always seem to happen to me when I go there.” -Sol Menashe, 2009 

Available for download: Las Comedicas de Rodis (Sephardic Delicacies from Rhodes) by Sol Menashe


 

Lucille Berro Family reunion in Rhodes, June 2012. Read: Four generations beyond the Holocaust.

“It was taken outside the Djuderia near the Puerte de la Mar. We came from South Africa, Australia & Israel for our reunion in Rhodes. We are descendants of Sylvia (nee Hasson) & Assael Berro, also from the Benveniste & Menashe families of Rhodes. From L-R, front row:  Lucille Stein (nee Berro), Lauren Stein, Vivienne Gritzman (nee Berro), Alissa Gritzman, Tamara Gritzman, Irwin Stein. From L-R, back row: Assael Stein, Marcus Gritzman, Ashley Gritzman.”- Lucille Berro, 2015


Jo Mallel and Family at the Rhodes & Cos Commemoration 2014. 

Modiano and Jason (Hasson) Families at the Kahal Shalom Synagogue, 2015. From: Benny Jason

Louise (of the Touriel) and Leonard Berman in Rhodes. Read the Istorikos by Louise Chiprut Berman: My Special Stone and La Boz Meldados.

Cynthia Flash Hemphill Family (of the Barki and Capeluto) in Rhodes 2017. Read Cynthia’s article: Return to Rhodes-again.

Capelluto, Cohen, Hasson & Harari Families at the Alexis 4 Seasons, 2018. 

Al Shemarya with Yakov Shemarya tombstone at the Rhodes Jewish Cemetery. 

The Menashe clan reunion in Rhodes 2019. From: Isaac Menashe

Nate Hasson family in Rhodes 2023. Read Nate’s story: I found my Father’s home in Rhodes.

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aron
Admin
5 months ago

We are honored to receive the beautiful Kucharera and filigree cup holder of Selma Levi Mizrahi donated by her granddaughter, Maya Weissman Kraft. The 2 are among the 30 new items from the 150+ artifacts of the “Jewish Life on Rhodes” exhibit and luncheon on October 15, 2023, at the Sephardic Temple of Cedarhurst, NY. Event Info

To RSVP, email: admin@thesephardictemple.org or call: 516-295-4644. See you there!

Kucharera and Filigree Levi Family.png
aron
Admin
9 months ago

We’re delighted to share Nate Hasson’s story about finding his father’s home in Rhodes. Go to: https://www.rhodesjewishmuseum.org/genealogy/family-trees/

Nate Hasson Family in Rhodes.jpg
Jeff Marcus
Jeff Marcus
11 months ago

Hi. My grandfather’s name while in the Island of Rhodes was Marco Israel. Iam going to the Island of Rhodes in January 2024. He left and went through Ellis Island. He changed his name toPaul Marcus. I am looking for any information in him and his family. He married Cathrine Hasson? Not sure of her last name. It could have be Hanna?
Any information would greatly be appreciated. I can be reached at jeffmarcus501@gmail.com
Thank you

Baruch Nahon
Baruch Nahon
1 year ago

Shalom, I’m looking for any information about Simcha (maybe Sima) Alhadeff, born between 1815-1830 in Rhodes. She married an Abouhav, named Isaac (or maybe Mordechai), and they had a son named Moshe Abouhav on aprox 1850 that died in Izmir on 2 Jun 1929. It’s important for our family because Simcha is our link with Rhodes, but her existence was only orally transmited. Thank you very much

Silvie Moors
Silvie Moors
1 year ago

https://www.rhodesjewishmuseum.org/genealogy/family-trees/#comment-44263

Dear Fernando (Tarica)
Is it possible that your grandfather was the brother of my greatgrandmother Esther Tarica Menascé?
Can we find our match?
Best wishes,
Silvie

Silvie Moors
Silvie Moors
1 year ago

Dear all,
I’m one of the greatgrandchildren of Esther Tarica Menascé and I am looking for more information on her family. All information is very welcome.
Best wishes, Silvie Moors

Marilyn Gilbert
Marilyn Gilbert
2 years ago

My great grandmother, Diana Shemaria, married my great grandfather, Sam Rousso, and they lived in Rhodes. I cannot find any information on either of those surnames.

Sandy
Sandy
2 years ago

I have been looking for information of the family Sidis the fathers name was Bohor and they had been taken from the village of Paradissi Rodos by the Germans..mother, father and two sons and a daughter….the mother’s maiden name was Hasson. They also had children in Africa who survived the Holocaust.

Alex Fis
Alex Fis
2 years ago

Hi, I am trying to trace my families roots my great grandmother was Rita Barouch mother of Alberto Fis Barouch . According to my grandmother on my dads side they are from Rhodes and Tesaloniki as well. Any information is greatly appreciated

aron
Admin
3 years ago

Melissa: I will email you a birth record of Rafael Hasson, the brother of Sarah Hasson (child of Samuel Hasson and Jamila Nahmias). If this is your family I’ll email photos of him.

Melissa Rose
Melissa Rose
3 years ago

Looking for information about my family. My great grandmother was Sarah (born approx 1874 on Rhodes), daughter of Samuel Hasson and Jamelia Nahmias. She married Chaim Victor Touriel (born approx 1868 on Rhodes). His father was Morris Touriel. Victor and Sarah immigrated to the US and settled in Seattle, then San Francisco. My grandmother, Esther (aka Estreya) was one of their three children. Her brothers were Rahamin (Raymond) and Samuel. I have not been able to find anything about Victor’s mother or siblings, or if Sarah had any siblings. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

sara soriano segev
sara soriano segev
4 years ago

Hello everyone,I am looking for a picture of my aunt from Rhodes who perished in the Holocaust. Her name is Sarah Soriano, daughter of Rafael and Rivka. And I am looking for a picture of her husband Giacobbe Soriano from Rhodes son of Nissim . Any further information about them will help.Contact me on Facebook:Sara Soriano Segev.

Flavio Treiger
Flavio Treiger
5 years ago

Hi, I am Flavio Treiger, from Brazil. My grandmother is Gamila Soriano Esperança (born in Brazil), daughter of Isaac Soriano and Rica Arditti Soriano (born in Turkey) and sister of Mauricio Soriano, Mayer Soriano, Myriam Soriano Mosse and Raqueline Soriano. I am searching for information regarding my ancestors and that is how I came across this page. I would love to know more about my family, if you happen to have any information. Thank you!

Anthony Romano
Anthony Romano
6 years ago

I am a Sephardic Jew. I would like to know about my surname ROMANO — does this name trace back to Spain or did we change our name at some point. Did Romano’s go straight to Turkey after the Inquisition? I can only trace my family back a couple generations to Bodrum Turkey

aron
Admin
6 years ago

Hi Emanuela. The tombstone of Baruch Perez is located in the “Cemetery” page of this website. It indicates that he is buried in row 27, column 31 in the Jewish cemetery in Rhodes. We translated part of the tombstone and it states that he died in 1932 and he was the son of Yehuda Perez, from Izmir. I will email you a page which describes 5 members of the Perez family who were deported from Rhodes: Gracia, Graziella, Haim, Rachel and Vittoria. It indicates that Haim and Vittoria were killed on arrival in Auschwitz on Aug. 16, 1944. It shows… Read more »

Emanuela Giamilla
Emanuela Giamilla
6 years ago

Hi, I’m Emanuela Giamilla, born in Italy daughter of Grazia Perez. She was born in Rodhes in 1925 from Baruch Perez (from Izmir) and Giamilla Gomel. I remember that my mother’s home was in Via Deodato Gozzoni in Rodhes, I think in the Juderia.
I want to know more info about my family. My grandmother Giamilla was deported and killed in Auschwitz. My mother was deported in Auschwitz too. She died 5 years ago. She spoke sefarditi.
I’ve a daughter that would like to know more. Please help me. Thank you so much.
Emanuela Giamilla Acerbi

Sonja Bilé
Sonja Bilé
6 years ago

To Rebecca Phillips. Dear Rebecca, Please excuse me for my rather “late” response but I have been busy lately and was not aware of your comment which I only noticed this week. I am a second cousin to Alberto Levi. His mother, Caden BILI (married Giacobbe Levi) was the sister of my grandfather Leon (Yehuda) Bili (changed into Bilé). My grandfather and his brother Raphaël moved to Belgium, whereas 2 of their sisters went to the US, 1 to South America and the last one, Caden moved with their widowed mother from their ancestral town, Izmir, to Rhodes. In Rhodes… Read more »

Sonja Bilé
Sonja Bilé
6 years ago

Dear Murat, Thank you for your very nice website and amazing work about the Jews of Tire. I have to point out, however, that my Bile/BILI family from Rhodes and Izmir is not related to your Tire Bile members who originally were Algaze family members who changed their name only later on. My Bile family’s original name was BILI and was already known under that name in Izmir from at least 1750 (researched and documented by Dr Dov Cohen). In my BILI family tree I have no Algaze ancestors at all. Also in a second BILI branch from the mid… Read more »

Murat Sanus
6 years ago

The “Bile” family immigrated from Tire, Izmir to Rhodes. Their original surname was Algaze. They have adopted this Turkish surname after the law. You can find all the info about the Bile family and other families mentioned in this article at my website: http://www.jewsoftire.com

Would be happy to help anyone who needs. Murat SANUS

Jeremy Hasson
Jeremy Hasson
6 years ago

I forgot to to say thanks, I appreciate your time and effort

-Jeremy