Treasures of the island of Rhodes - The Benoun Torah Crown from the Kehila Grande

Benoun Torah Crown from the Kehila Grande of Rhodes

For decades, artifacts and photographs related to the Jewish community of Rhodes have been carefully collected as part of a personal and communal mission to preserve its rich history for future generations. And despite the tragic deportation and murder of nearly all its Jews to Auschwitz, it is our role as their descendants to honor and remember their life stories, thus preserving the community’s legacy now and forever. 

That being said, this past September, by some divine will or providence, led me to acquire a Torah Crown—over a century old—from the Kehila Grande of Rhodes through an auction held in Jerusalem. This historical item is one of the few tangible objects from the Kehila Grande, also known as Kahal Kadosh Gadol. This synagogue was heavily damaged by the WWII bombings, with only a portion of its walls and floors remaining to this day. In fact, a similar Torah Crown from the Soriano family, also from the Kehila Grande, can be found at the Jewish Museum of New York.

Astonishingly, the Torah Crown even holds an extraordinary significance because it came from my own Benoun family! It was commissioned by my great-grandmother, Perla Menashe Benoun, the widow of my great-grandfather, Samuel Bohor Benoun, in memory of their oldest son, Rahamim "Morris", who died at the age of 29 in Los Angeles. My mother, Pearle, and my daughter, Rachelle Pearle, both carry her name, continuing the Rhodesli tradition of naming grandchildren after grandparents. If my mom were still with us, she would absolutely cherish this incredible artifact!

Upon closer inspection, the Torah Crown is cylindrical and made of silver, a known Sephardic style. The intricate designs used were repeated floral or leaf patterns that were chased and pierced. At the lower perimeter, an engraved Hebrew and Ladino inscription reads: "Gift to the Kahal Kadosh Gadol from Mrs. Perla de Samuel Benoun in memory of her son Rahamim who passed away the 28th of Av 5673 [1913]." At the bottom of the crown shows the name of the artisan, Demetrio Cromida, a Greek metalsmith in Rhodes who did commission work within the Jewish community.

Benoun Family Background

Rahamim “Morris” Benoun, who passed away in Los Angeles on August 31, 1913, was buried at the Home of Peace Cemetery in the “Beth Israel” section.

A moving story surrounds Rahamim’s death.  In June 1913, my grandfather Aron, whom I was named after, was just 16 when he immigrated from Rhodes to the United States to join his older brother. The journey, which spanned several weeks by ship and train, ended in heartbreak upon arriving in Los Angeles. Aron learned that Rahamim had died of leukemia, just days before his arrival. Alone in a new city, Aron was taken in by the Berro family. He worked shining shoes, learned English, waited tables at a Sephardic eatery at 4th and Wall Street, then eventually sold fruits and vegetables. After years of working diligently, he saved enough money and opened produce stalls at Grand Central Market.

Embroidery by Perla de Samuel Benoun at the Jewish Museum of Rhodes, Greece

Aron Benoun married Sepora Amato. Together they raised five children, my mother, Pearle, and four sons, Morris, Leon, Sam, and Joe. The family remained deeply involved in the Rhodesli kehila of Los Angeles, previously known as the Sephardic Hebrew Center, which is now the Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel. In 1978, my uncles, known as the “Benon brothers,” were collectively honored as “Person of the Year” for their contributions to the community.

Perla Menashe Benoun

Perla Menashe Benoun

My great-grandmother, Perla, a devout Jew, was deeply rooted in her faith and traditions. As a homemaker, she cared for her 8 children and was skilled in fine needlework. In the 1910s, she embroidered a ceremonial textile featuring a Star of David at its center, surrounded by the word "Yerushalayim" repeated 18 times along the border and 12 times within the central design.  During the early 1920s, she traveled to Los Angeles and Buenos Aires to visit her children.  While in Buenos Aires, she entrusted the embroidery to her daughter Estrea. In 2003, this treasured piece was passed down to me by Rachel Bivas Alculumbre, the daughter of Estrea Benun Bivas, through the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation, and was later donated to the Jewish Museum in Rhodes, Greece.

Perla spent the last 12 years of her life in Jerusalem.  She lived at the Sephardic Old Age Home on Yaffa Road.  In 1946, she died and was buried at Mt. Olives. I visited her grave in 2006. The bottom portion of her tombstone contains a memorial in remembrance of her daughter and grandson, Reina Menashe and son, Yakov, who were deported and killed in Auschwitz.

Benoun Legacy Continues

“It’s not that heavy”, my granddaughter, Abigail, said as she smiled while holding the Torah Crown with both hands. She added, “And I know where you keep it, there on top of the cabinet!” for which I affirmed, “Yes, so we can all see it and appreciate our family.”

With my daughter, Rachelle Pearle and granddaughter, Abigail

While I’m relieved that the Torah Crown has arrived for safekeeping in my home, I can only imagine the journey it took over the past 100+ years. Somehow, it traveled away from Rhodes, passed through multiple hands, landed in Israel, and is now in Los Angeles. It could have been destroyed during the bombings, melted along the way for repurposing, or kept hidden in a dark closet somewhere, not seeing the light of day. But fate has worked in mysterious ways—just like our forefathers who paved the way, the artifact has remained resilient and unscathed in finding its rightful place. The journey of the Benoun Torah Crown is a powerful act of remembrance, of honoring one’s Jewish roots, cultural identity, community, and family ties. My great-grandmother Perla’s devotion to her faith and family legacy is what I appreciate and share with my children, grandchildren, and the Rhodesli community. May her act of remembrance inspire each of us to do what we can in preserving our Jewish heritage.

The Benoun Torah Crown is one of the many artifacts to be displayed in the upcoming “Jewish Life in Rhodes” exhibit presented by the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation on June 14, 2026, at the Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel on Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles. For more info, email: info@rhodesjewishmuseum.org