Page 17 - FINAL catalogue.cdr

religious tradition

synagogual architecture

The Synagogue as the focal point of the
Jewish community and place of communal
worship, with its adjoining community
buildings (schools, charitable and social
institutions and offices), has evolved since
the time of the Diaspora.

There were four synagogues on Rhodes.
The oldest, Kahal Kadosh Gadol, dating
from the late 15th century and built in
Romaniote style, was heavily damaged in
the Second World War. Two of them, Kahal
Kadosh Kamondo (consecrated in 1865)
and Kahal Kadosh Tikkun Hatzot, other-
wise known as Kal de los Ricos or
Synagogue of the Wealthy, were founded
in the 19th century. Services were also held
at family homes, such as the Francos’ and
Η αυλή της συναγωγής Καχάλ Καντόσς Σσαλώμ, με το χαρακτηριστικό για τη the Hanan’s, and on the premises of
νησιώτικη αρχιτεκτονική βοτσαλωτό δάπεδο και τις τοξωτές καμάρες.
The courtyard of the Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue with pebbled floor and religious institutions.
arches, characteristic of the islands' architecture.
The only surviving synagogue on Rhodes
today is Kahal Kadosh Shalom at Dos-
siadou and Simmiou Streets. Built in 1577, it is in Sephardic architectural style. Columns linked with arches divide the interior into three
naves. The Tevah, from where the Torah is read, is placed in the central square area. The eastern wall displays a special feature: The
central door is flanked by two Holy Arks (Ehalot), consisting of rectangular niches framed by marble aediculae where the sacred books
of the Torah are kept. This eastern door leads to a pebbled courtyard, which served as an open-air, community Sukkah, in other words a
hut for the festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
Women used to watch the service from secluded rooms along the south wall of the synagogue; these were separated from the main area
by lattice screens (Mehitzah). A women's gallery, also called La Azara, with its own entrance, was constructed in 1930, taking up the
west wall and half of the south and north walls. Kahal Kadosh Shalom suffered serious damage in the Second World War, but Jews from
abroad took action for its immediate repair and today the old women's section houses the permanent exhibition of the Jewish Museum
of Rhodes.

H μόνιμη έκθεση του Εβραϊκού
Μουσείου της Ρόδου.
The permanent exhibition of the
Jewish Museum of Rhodes.

Είσοδος της Καχάλ Καντόσς
Σσαλώμ.
The entrance of Kahal Kadosh
Shalom Synagogue.