Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue
Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue
Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
From the 1st of November we are closed for the public. If you wish to visit us please contact us by phone or by email in order to make an appointment.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
500 reviews
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1
Theoax
Jerusalem, Israel275 contributions
Jun 2022
The synagogue is beautiful. It's unfortunate that the current Jewish community in Rhodes (which used to comprise several thousand) is so small that it is only used in summer when there are enough tourists to make up the necessary quorum for holding prayers. The museum, in the same building, is very informative about the former Jewish community. Sometimes there are guided tours of the Jewish quarter, but not this year.
Written 21 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Itzik L
Tel Aviv, Israel4,579 contributions
Oct 2022
The synagogue in the old city of Rhodes
The synagogue is also a museum of Judaism in Rhodes.
Entrance to the synagogue and museum costs 4 euros.
The entrance is in a side alley until you reach it you don't see the place, so enter and walk until you reach it.
The synagogue is in excellent condition.
The Ark of the Covenant, bulbs and seats are in excellent condition, so you can get a full impression of the Judaism that was there.
A well-kept patio and a small museum that describes the history of the Jews in Rhodes.
The synagogue is also a museum of Judaism in Rhodes.
Entrance to the synagogue and museum costs 4 euros.
The entrance is in a side alley until you reach it you don't see the place, so enter and walk until you reach it.
The synagogue is in excellent condition.
The Ark of the Covenant, bulbs and seats are in excellent condition, so you can get a full impression of the Judaism that was there.
A well-kept patio and a small museum that describes the history of the Jews in Rhodes.
Written 8 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff F
Louisville, KY17 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Isaac was an incredible tour guide. He did not just show us around the synagogue and the museum, but he told us about the history and culture of the Jewish people of Rhodes. The tour costs just an extra 10 euros per person, and it is totally worth it. They do not promote that they have private tours, so it is best to contact them directly to schedule it.
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebbieEdelman
Plantation, FL51 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Sometimes you don’t always get what you want, sometimes you get what you need. We were on a cruise and in port for a few hours. Originally we were going up to the famous town of Lindo, known for it’s pottery. A few months ago there was a terrible fire and while I knew it would be fine, somehow I decided to change our plans and visit The Jewish Synagogue and Museum
Well I’m so grateful to have, because I discovered not only it’s revelance during the medieval period, but it had a Jewish Quarter with rabbis and scholars until The Nazis. We had the most amazing tour guide, Roula, whom you would swear was Jewish. There is only one Jewish woman living there now. However, The Kahal Shalom is the oldest Jewish synagogue in Greece, and the sole remaining synagogue on the Island of Rhodes used for services. There were once six synagogues and prayer halls in the Jewish Quarter (called “La Juderia”). The Kahal Shalom is located on Dossiadou and Simiou Streets and is believed to have been built in the year 1577. The full name of the building is “Kahal Kadosh Shalom” (Holy Congregation of Peace). It is used for prayer services when visitors or former residents and their families visit the Island for Friday night prayer services, High Holiday services and for special occasions.
I will cherish the time I spent there during The High Holidays as I connected with my Jewish Heritage.
Well I’m so grateful to have, because I discovered not only it’s revelance during the medieval period, but it had a Jewish Quarter with rabbis and scholars until The Nazis. We had the most amazing tour guide, Roula, whom you would swear was Jewish. There is only one Jewish woman living there now. However, The Kahal Shalom is the oldest Jewish synagogue in Greece, and the sole remaining synagogue on the Island of Rhodes used for services. There were once six synagogues and prayer halls in the Jewish Quarter (called “La Juderia”). The Kahal Shalom is located on Dossiadou and Simiou Streets and is believed to have been built in the year 1577. The full name of the building is “Kahal Kadosh Shalom” (Holy Congregation of Peace). It is used for prayer services when visitors or former residents and their families visit the Island for Friday night prayer services, High Holiday services and for special occasions.
I will cherish the time I spent there during The High Holidays as I connected with my Jewish Heritage.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie
London, UK26 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
We booked the tour (for an extra 10Euros) rather than a general visit and it was a huge treat. Issac Habib our guide was knowledgeable, interesting and interested. He talked about the history of the synagogue, the history of the Jews of Rhodes and shared his mother’s story which involved deportation from Rhodes by the Nazi’s and how she survived the holocaust. All fascinating!
A marvellous couple of hours with a bonus of it being an escape from the 35c heat.
A marvellous couple of hours with a bonus of it being an escape from the 35c heat.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia Wilson
45 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
I went there to research my next novel and they were all very helpful. To actually meed a survivor from Auschwitz is incredible and I was moved to tears. There is plenty of literature in the little shop, and everyone is very kind. The history of the Jews of Rhodes is fascinating, and at the same time very sad. The Synagogue and museum are worth a visit, even if you are not religious, I'm not, and as it's all free, certainly worth a small donation to help with the upkeep. Recommended!
Written 3 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JustJulieNYC
New York City, NY193 contributions
May 2017 • Family
We contacted Mrs. Carmen Cohen (jcrhodes@otenet.gr), Director of the synagogue, back in August 2016 with a request made by our son. He wanted his bar mitzvah to be in this very special Kahal Kadosh Shalom sanctuary built in 1577. Working with Mrs. Cohen, our son's vision was fulfilled. He wanted his own NY community to understand the historically deep significance of the Jews of Rhodes (on the island since 250 BCE) &the Romaniote Jews (@ 70 BCE many ancient Israelite Jews were forced onto slave ships destined for Rome (Romaniote Jews...) but due to severe weather, the boat landed in Greece. For thousands of years,the "Romaniote" Jews -scattering throughout all of Greece- and very much Hellenized in their dress, culture and language, still ardently remained distinctly Jewish in their religion. They maintained these special traditions, melodies and customs despite numerous attempts of various Greek "rulers" to convert (or kill) them. The Jewish population of Greece expanded when the Jews of Spain and Portugal, fleeing the hand of death of the Spanish Inquisition, arrived in the 1490s, introducing their own Sephardi Spanish heritage to these Romaniote Jews. The Jews flourished until the economic depression struck, and poverty necessitated emigration. Thankfully, many Jews of Rhodes relocated. In 1944 July, the Nazi murdered the remaining community- only 151 survived. Our son wanted his barmitzvah to be "shared" with the souls of the 57 Rhodesli boys & girls ages 12-13yrs old who perished before they reached their own bar/bat mitzvahs. He insisted we know their names. His Shavuot holiday barmitzvah was the first time in 73 yrs, since Nazi deportation, that Kahal Kadosh had "Giving of the Torah" services.
The synagogue is beautifully restored, and is the last and sole surviving synagogue of the six on the Island of Rhodes. The interior and exterior courtyards, with their Hohlakia (black-and-white pebble mosaic floors), are stunning. The synagogue sanctuary's superb acoustics attests to the Jewish/Greek builders' brilliant understanding of engineering over 440 years ago. The center bimah is made of handsome wood and faces the double in-the-wall-arks----(never saw this before).
The synagogue museum may be small in size but its reflects the thousands of years of Jewish Rhodesli history, with photos of families, their belongings and Judaica. There is a Holocaust memorial keeping alive the names of the murdered.
Mrs. Cohen (together with her helping team of Magda and Anna) give 1 hour combined synagogue and museum tours (I suggest it be organized in advanced to ensure an appt.) During the summer months, Mr. Isaac Habib - a son of a Rhodesli Auschwitz survivor- flies in from S. Africa to help out giving the educational tours- (tours also include the walk of the old Jewish quarter "Juderia" and Jewish Cemetery). These are the finest of folks around - they are devoted to Jewish Rhodesli's continuity and want to share their knowledge with people interested in history- Jews and non-Jews alike. Their goal is to educate - to teach anyone wanting to discover the roots and history of this notable community.
Synagogue/museum visits are free but the synagogue operates on donations- so its imperative to contribute. The tours have modest charges depending on the number of participants- again- to self sustain the building- museum- community events. Its important we, as visitors, also do our share and help sustain the tiny community's efforts.
The synagogue is beautifully restored, and is the last and sole surviving synagogue of the six on the Island of Rhodes. The interior and exterior courtyards, with their Hohlakia (black-and-white pebble mosaic floors), are stunning. The synagogue sanctuary's superb acoustics attests to the Jewish/Greek builders' brilliant understanding of engineering over 440 years ago. The center bimah is made of handsome wood and faces the double in-the-wall-arks----(never saw this before).
The synagogue museum may be small in size but its reflects the thousands of years of Jewish Rhodesli history, with photos of families, their belongings and Judaica. There is a Holocaust memorial keeping alive the names of the murdered.
Mrs. Cohen (together with her helping team of Magda and Anna) give 1 hour combined synagogue and museum tours (I suggest it be organized in advanced to ensure an appt.) During the summer months, Mr. Isaac Habib - a son of a Rhodesli Auschwitz survivor- flies in from S. Africa to help out giving the educational tours- (tours also include the walk of the old Jewish quarter "Juderia" and Jewish Cemetery). These are the finest of folks around - they are devoted to Jewish Rhodesli's continuity and want to share their knowledge with people interested in history- Jews and non-Jews alike. Their goal is to educate - to teach anyone wanting to discover the roots and history of this notable community.
Synagogue/museum visits are free but the synagogue operates on donations- so its imperative to contribute. The tours have modest charges depending on the number of participants- again- to self sustain the building- museum- community events. Its important we, as visitors, also do our share and help sustain the tiny community's efforts.
Written 6 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
Melbourne, Australia2,018 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We had a full day in Rhodes during a cruise stop, and the old city within which you'll find the Synagogue is about a 15 minute walk from the ship terminal.
It is quite distressing to see the list of names of those lost during the 2nd World War, s a consequence of which there is virtually no Jewish Community in Rhodes today; barely 6 families.
To simply sit quietly inside and ponder what life might have been like when the Synagogue was built some hundreds of years ago when there was a vibrant community enhances the visit.
In addition to the main Sanctuary there are a number of small museum rooms as well as a gift shop.
There is no entry fee but a box near the door for donations
It is quite distressing to see the list of names of those lost during the 2nd World War, s a consequence of which there is virtually no Jewish Community in Rhodes today; barely 6 families.
To simply sit quietly inside and ponder what life might have been like when the Synagogue was built some hundreds of years ago when there was a vibrant community enhances the visit.
In addition to the main Sanctuary there are a number of small museum rooms as well as a gift shop.
There is no entry fee but a box near the door for donations
Written 25 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna M
London, UK21 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Hard to find but worth the effort. its not very big but is so informative of what happened to the jews of Rhodes during the war and also some of the history of Rhodes and surrounding Greek islands
We are not Jewish but still found it so interesting and were so glad we went.
We are not Jewish but still found it so interesting and were so glad we went.
Written 14 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stanley S
Jerusalem, Israel25 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
A well-kept, beautiful building. The original Torah Scrolls and other religious appurtenances. Original wall engravings and stone plaques. There is also a Museum detailing the history of the Jewish Community of Rhodes. Open 10:00-15:00.
Written 29 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would the synagogue tour be appropriate for a ten year old or will there be a lot of details about the Holocaust which may be scary for them?
Written 14 September 2024
מתי מתקיימות תפילות לראש השנה ומתי פתוח בדרך כלל מוטי
6909522572
Written 28 September 2019
I'm going to visit the Synagogue the next July with my family. I hope with all my heart to meet Sami Modiano e to hear directly from him his story. Do you know if he will be there and when it's better to plan my visit to have the chance to meet him? Thank you very much.
Written 10 June 2018
jcrh0des
Rhodes, Greece
Hello, Mr Sami Mosiano is coming at the end of June. I am sure that he will be here when you arrive. When he comes in Rhodes he is usually at the Synagogue from 10.00 am until 13.30 pm. So, if you visit the Synagogue between these hours you will probably meet him.
Written 13 June 2018
Will you be holding services for Rosh Hashana services on September 9-11? I am planning to be in Rhodes during the holiday and would love to be able to participate in your services.
Written 19 April 2018
jcrh0des
Rhodes, Greece
Yes we will have services for Rosh Hashana. Send us an email at jcrhodes@otenet.gr closer to the date so, we will send you the timetable of the services.
Written 25 April 2018
Harriet G
Sarasota, Florida
Did anyone have a Jewish guide to take you through the Jewish area? Can you recommend a good guide for us?
Written 30 April 2017
we booked thru synagogue- Mr Isaac Habib toured us... interesting and sad. Very small fee
Written 17 June 2017
Viajo en Marzo en un crucero y me gustaría visitar el Barrio Judío y la sinagoga. ¿Se puede llegar en taxi desde el puerto? ¿Es muy lejos?
Written 17 February 2017
Istorija ove atrakcije,radno vreme i našta posebno obratiti pažnju?
Written 4 February 2017
Can you tell me the opening times on a Sunday and midweek? We are hoping to come in the next couple of days.
Written 17 September 2016
It was closed Saturday. I beliive it is open 6 days a week, but sorry, I can't remember opening times.
Written 13 March 2017
how far is Kahal Synagogue from Olympic Palace hotel? Is Kahal Synagogue open everyday ?
Written 21 June 2016
Dear ms. and mr. Levi. As I recollect the opening time is from 11.00 till 15.00 hours. Your hotel is about 4-5 kilometer from the Synagoque in the center of the old town. Perhaps a taxi is better? Enjoy your visit. Regards, Leo van Sister
Written 21 June 2016
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