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Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue and Rhodes Jewish Museum, Rhodes, Greece

Description

Located on Calle de Kahal Shalom (Simiou Street), the Kahal Shalom, also known as Kehila Shalom, is the oldest synagogue in Greece, and the sole remaining Jewish synagogue on Rhodes used for services. The Kehila Shalom is believed to have been built in the year 1577. The full name of the building is Kahal Kadosh Shalom (the Holy Congregation of Peace).

The interior of the Kehila Shalom synagogue follows the traditional Sephardic style of having the "tevah" (the prayer reading table) in the center of the sanctuary facing southeast toward Jerusalem. The floor is decorated with black and white mosaic stone patterns, which is a distinctive design motif used throughout the Old City of Rhodes. On both sides of the synagogue are two courtyards with a traditionally designed stone pattern.

There is also a balcony that was created in 1935, as a result of a liberalization of religious policy, to be used as a women's prayer area. Prior to that time the women sat in the rooms adjacent to the south wall of the synagogue that viewed the sanctuary through curtained openings. Those rooms are now being utilized for the Jewish Museum of Rhodes.

Rhodes, Greece

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