The Jewish Community of Rhodes after World War II: From Destruction to Revival

Interior of the Kahal Shalom Synagogue of Rhodes

The story of the Jewish community in Rhodes is a powerful testament to faith, loss, and resilience. After the tragedy of the Holocaust, the community not only survived but also rebuilt itself, keeping its heritage alive to this day.

The Day After the War

In 1944, Rhodes witnessed the mass deportation of its Jews. Only 151 survived the concentration camps, and 40 more were saved thanks to Turkish Consul Selahattin Ülkümen. Those rescued were forced to leave the island. Lucia Modiano-Sulam and Samuel Modiano were among the few who returned. Lucia cared for the synagogue until her death in 2010, and Samuel, who lives in Rome, spent summers on the island, helping preserve its memory.

Remembrance and Recognition

In 1946, when the Dodecanese joined Greece, Mayor Gabriel Charitos renamed the center of the Jewish quarter to "Jewish Martyr’s Square” in honor of those lost. He also took part in international diplomatic efforts to establish the first borders of Israel, under the UN's guidance. supported diplomatic efforts around the founding of Israel.

Revival of the Community

Exhibit of the Jewish Museum of Rhodes

In the early 1960s, a few Jewish families returned with support from the Central Jewish Board of Greece to reclaim properties and revive the community. Elias Soriano was the first post-war president, succeeded by his son Maurice. Despite challenges, the community remains active, managed by a three-member committee. Bella Restis served as president from 2000 to 2021, followed by her daughter Claudia in 2022.

Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue

Built in 1577, it’s the only pre-war synagogue still standing. Recognized in 2000 by the World Monuments Fund as a site of global cultural significance, the synagogue has been restored with European and local support. It remains active for events like weddings and bar mitzvahs and serves the global Rhodian Jewish diaspora.

Jewish Museum of Rhodes

Founded in 1997 by Aaron Hasson, the museum began as a photography exhibit and grew with community support. Since 2002, it has featured a permanent bilingual exhibition developed with the Jewish Museum of Greece. Additional renovations took place afterward, and in 2006, the museum reopened The artifacts are donations from Rhodeslis, some made through the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation and some directly to the museum, including religious items, household utensils, historical documents, religious books, costumes, and more. A full renovation in 2024 was funded by a European foundation, the local community, and the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation. Today, over 10,000 people visit annually, many of them non-Jews.

Exterior courtyard of the Edmund Safra Courtyard of the Kahal Shalom Synagogue

The Edmond Safra Library and Multipurpose Center

Opened in 2006 above the synagogue, the renovated area includes:

• The Edmond Safra Library

• Screening room and dining hall

• Fully stocked kitchen and outdoor patio

Safra has funded a visiting Rabbi for holidays since 1974, a commitment upheld by his foundation. Plans are underway to convert the space into a research center in honor of Bella Restis.

Cemetery: Destruction and Restoration

In 1938, the Italian authorities destroyed the old Jewish cemetery. Only 1,400 graves were saved and relocated; the rest were lost. In 1939, the community reburied remains in two mass graves and moved the graves of 18 rabbis. A Holocaust memorial was added in 1949, listing displaced families. A memorial for the 1940 Pencho shipwreck victims also stands here.

Since 1997, ongoing restoration has been funded by the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation, Maurice Amato Foundation, Aron Franco, and others. All gravestones have been photographed, translated, digitized, and repositioned to form an outdoor museum. A smaller museum nearby displays historic headstones and symbols, while a 2014 memorial honors 40 people killed in Allied bombings in 1944.

Memory, Diaspora, and Continuity

Since 2002, memorial ceremonies have brought together diaspora families. The synagogue has become a pilgrimage site symbolizing remembrance and renewal. The bond between Rhodes and its diaspora remains strong, guided by the principles of Le Dor va Dor (from generation to generation) and Zakhor (remember).

Continuing Research

In 2013, a joint project with the State Historical Archives, the Holocaust Museum in Washington, and the Rhodes Community began digitizing Italian-era archives from 1912–1945—about 4 million pages. This effort has now concluded.

Jewish Cemetery of Rhodes

Meanwhile, geophysical surveys led by the University of Hartford uncovered new insights beneath Rhodes’ synagogues, adding to our understanding of Jewish life on the island.

The Rhodes Community didn't just survive; it became a beacon of historical memory, cultural strength, and spiritual continuity – a light that still shines in the Mediterranean.