This is the first in a set of blogs about Rhodes. It is being sent to a wide variety of friends and family who each want to see specific sights in Rhodes Old City. This first Blog of pictures focuses on the two main synagogues and the memorials to those that were Killed by the Nazis and by the Allies bombing.  A future Blog(s) will focus on general sights of the Old City and the island itself.

This blog starts off with a monument at the new cemetery that memorializes those that were killed in the British bombing of Rhodes in 1944. This monument lists my Benveniste grandparents, aunt, and cousin and others who were killed while they were in the Khal Grande on the first day of Passover. This is followed by pictures of what remains today of the Khal Grande Synagogue.  According to Aron Hasson’s book, A Guidebook to the Jewish Quarter of Rhodes, this building was built after the Turkish siege of 1480. (replacing an earlier synagogue built by the Romaniot Jews)

The next set of pictures are of a main square called the La Kay Ancha where a small shaded park and memorial now stand in memory of the Jews who the Nazis took to the concentration camps. I’ve included a list of the Alkana/Alcana families who were taken. Over 1650 Jews from Cos and Rhodes were taken to the Nazi concentration camps. Prior to WWII this park area had Jewish homes and businesses on it.

Next is the street we walked on to the Khal Kadosh Shalom synagogue.  According to Aron Hasson’s book, this synagogue was built around 1577. Notice that the street is made of small stones. You will see these black and white stones not only used as street pavement but also used as the flooring inside many buildings throughout Rhodes including at the remnants of the Khal Grande Synagogue and at the Acropolis in Lindos.  

The Shalom Kadosh synagogue has an outside entrance door that opens into a small courtyard.  There is another courtyard on the other side of the synagogue that has a large round mosaic. In 1935 a balcony was added to the synagogue at the request of the women. The original women’s section and the mikvah were in adjacent rooms (which now houses the museum).  Looking at pictures from the early 1900’s, this synagogue has undergone some cosmetic changes.

My understanding is that the synagogue is only in use when arrangements are made with the caretaker. In general the synagogue and museum are open during the summer and Passover. We were able to have a morning service on one of the days of Passover with friends from Seattle. This was especially meaningful for me to be here during Passover given what happened to my family.

This blog concludes with historical informtion for a better understanding of life in Rhodes.

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