In Rhodes Old Town, the Jewish Museum occupies rooms beside the Kahal Shalom Synagogue, built in 1577 and the oldest surviving synagogue in Greece. Its photographs, documents, textiles and religious objects trace the island’s Jewish community across centuries, including the devastation of the Second World War. Allow time for the film and personal stories, which add context to the exhibits. The synagogue and nearby Jewish quarter make this a thoughtful stop for understanding a part of Rhodes’ past that is easy to miss elsewhere in the Old Town.
A museum inside Kahal Shalom
The Jewish Museum of Rhodes is housed in rooms that once served as the women’s prayer spaces of Kahal Shalom Synagogue. Built in 1577, the synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue in Greece. The museum and synagogue are in the Old Town’s former Jewish quarter, where the collection connects the area’s streets with the history of the people who lived there.
The museum was established by Aron Hasson, a third-generation Rhodian, to bring the community’s history to residents and visitors. Its exhibits include photographs, documents, textiles, religious objects and family belongings. A ketubbah, or Jewish marriage contract, and theological writing in Ladino are among the items that speak to religious and everyday life.
From Ladino to wartime loss
Jewish life on Rhodes reaches back to antiquity. The island’s community grew with the arrival of Jewish refugees from Spain in the 13th century, and Ladino, a language with Spanish and Hebrew elements, became part of Sephardic culture. The exhibits use objects and records to tell this story through the lives of the community, rather than presenting the past as a list of dates.
The Second World War brought a devastating rupture. In July 1944, the Nazis deported the Jews of Rhodes to Auschwitz; few returned. The museum addresses this loss and the people affected by it. It also recounts the actions of Turkish consul Selahattin Ülkümen, who risked his life to help save local Jews from deportation. The film shown at the museum provides further historical context.
Taking time with the exhibits
This is a compact museum, but its photographs, documents and personal objects reward a slower visit. A guided tour can help explain the history behind the collection and the synagogue, with guides sharing knowledge tied to the community and its wartime experiences. Check whether a tour or presentation is available when planning your visit.
After seeing the exhibits, take time to look around Kahal Shalom and the surrounding Jewish quarter. The synagogue remains a place of remembrance as well as a historic building. The museum has a small bookshop near the entrance, where books on Rhodes’ Jewish history are available. In winter, arrange your visit ahead of time, as the museum is open by appointment.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the Jewish Museum of Rhodes?
It is in Rhodes Old Town, in former women’s prayer rooms beside Kahal Shalom Synagogue, in the historic Jewish quarter.
What can you see at the museum?
The collection includes photographs, documents, textiles, religious objects and personal belongings connected with the Jewish community of Rhodes. A film gives additional historical context.
Is the museum inside a synagogue?
The museum is housed in rooms beside Kahal Shalom Synagogue, built in 1577. The synagogue is the oldest surviving synagogue in Greece.
Can you visit in winter?
Winter visits are by appointment. Contact the museum in advance to arrange one.
