Important Notice
We’re delighted that the list and images of tombstones can assist with your ongoing research; however, please be advised that given the age and condition of these tombstones, translations can be challenging. We asked that you inform us directly for corrections: info@rhodesjewishmuseum.org
 | Haim Solomon Tarsa, 1799Rabbi Haim Tarsa, who was a student of Rabbi Moshe Israel, also served as the Chief Rabbi of Rhodes. Translation: All who knew him and his friends cried upon his departure, and the wise men bitterly mourned him when his order arrived. And they cried out Alas and Woe on the day of his departure, and all who knew him before remembered his love. A lofty man who helped the humble and poor people. An honest man in his belief. A wise man who paved his way towards seeking knowledge. And his research of the Midrash would have been praised by King Solomon. And reaching out to those wanting to study the Talmud and its Mishnah. He asks appropriately and responds correctly. Sharp in his questions and knowledgeable of the issues. Like a war hero, like a faulty bow. Pursuing peace that did everything properly and in time and according to his word. He was a writer and a good interpreter with his pen. When comparing his writings, we do not have a replacement for him. This burial place is for the perfect sage, the outstanding judge, enormous and great, graceful to his creator, our honourable teacher, the Rabbi Haim Solomon Tarsa, may the memory of a righteous and holy man be blessed. He was summoned before the divine justice before his time in his grief, on the day of anxiety, the 13th of the month of Iyar in the year 5559 [18 May 1799] since the creation. My prayer while sighing, the angels of mercy will go towards him and the angels of God will sit in front of him and enjoy studying his teachings; his resting place will be under the Throne of God, and his soul will be bound in the bond of life. |
| Moshe Yuda Israel, 1781Rabbi Moshe Israel was born in Jerusalem around 1747/48. He was appointed Chief Rabbi of Rhodes in 1773, in succession to Rabbi Saul Almané. He was named after his grandfather (the first Moshe Israel who was the father of the Israel dynasty of rabbis), who was also a Chief Rabbi of Rhodes from 1710 to 1727. He died at the end of 1781 at the young age of 34. His writings of questions and responsa (Moshe Yidaber) were published by his sons, 30 years after his death. Translation: Cry your hearts out for a man who died at a young age. The years of his life were days of affliction with terrible diseases. Great was his wisdom looking into the secret of the Torah. And his judgments are fair. He does justice for the fighters. He taught religion to all the humble. And he was a teacher to the eminent. His prayers are a source of hope. His resting place is in the heavens and his soul in a fertile garden, in the shadow of … (?) This tombstone is for the perfect sage, the excellent judge, who suffered from intense agony, our honourable teacher, the Rabbi Moshe Israel may his memory live on in the world to come, his sunlight darkened on Wednesday 25 of the month of Kislev; And Moshe, the servant of God, died (Deuteronomy chapter 34, verse 5) in the year 5542 [12 December 1781] since the creation of the world. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. Standing and serving before God.
Moshe Yuda Israel authored “Moshe Yedaber” (Moshe Speaks) which are “responsas’ and new interpretations of Maimonides. It was published in 1815 by his son, Haim Israel with the help of his brother David. The book was acquired in 2023 by the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation. |
| Raffael Saul Almané, 1776Rabbi Raffael Saul Almané succeeded Rabbi Ezra Malki as the Chief Rabbi of Rhodes for a period of 5 years from 1768 to 1773. Translation: Mourn in a bitter voice and in sorrow, on the light of God that turned and went away from over Saul. I will raise a voice with a weeping sound and raise a wailing voice of lamentation when Saul lay down. Raise a bitter lamentation …(?) which was prepared for Saul. For this the source of tears will rise, because a great wisdom ended – that of Saul. Cry all over the world, and with great strength mourn that Saul died. For the beloved son and the daughters, like a wall of lamentation for their father Saul. He died humble and honest, the goodness of God was upon him, God is besides Saul. For he was God-fearing and he was present in the assembly of God, and he was also good to Saul. The head of the household was exiled in the month of Av, he had an unpleasant death and Saul perished. May his soul and his spirit rest in a holy place, and the divine spirit will hover over his head, and Saul camped there. …(?) the excellent judge our teacher, the Rabbi who judged well, Raffael Saul Almané …(?) and he was summoned before the divine justice on the fifth day of Av in the year 5536 since the creation. [21 July 1776] May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. *The first letter of each sentence in the inscription spells out the rabbi’s name in Hebrew – שאול עלמאני |
 | David Bari, 1771Translation: Zion became a wilderness. Everything is going to be burnt, the beginning of calamities. All the Holy Scriptures these are the ones that will be burnt, all the passers-by drink from the river of tears, woe and wailing, mourning and mourners, lamentation for David: everything disappeared, I will express my thoughts – two or three incidents befell this righteous man, whilst requesting for forgiveness in the holy city of Tiberias, may it be rebuilt and speedily prepared during our time. His tent was there and unfortunately, he felt his throat was sore and he suffered from a sting of a bee. While he was in shock, this caused him to arrive at the house of David. (He died) Everyone who visited the sick man over a long period said there is no sacrifice or medicine for his illness. And these were David’s last days. Everyone who recounts his great deeds, whether it is an important person or a simple person, does great deeds himself. The perfect sage, the hazan, our honourable teacher, the Rabbi David Bari, may his soul be bound with the first generation of righteous people who go and sing a Psalm to David He disappeared from us on the fifth day of the month of Adar in the year 5531 since the creation. (19 February 1771) |
| Ezra Malki, 1768Rabbi Ezra Malki was born in 1710 in Safed, Israel. When returning from a fund-raising mission for Yeshivas in Jerusalem, he passed through Rhodes, and there he was recruited as their Chief Rabbi. He served as the Chief Rabbi of Rhodes from 1752 until his death in 1768. He was the author of the book “En Mishpat” which comprised of responsa and commentaries on the Bible. Translation: Enough deadly earth! There is no benefit from this death. The Rabbi of our nation, a single father to us all. The entire nation say in this place, God is the judge of the whole land. We are filled with bitter weeping. The nation is mourning that such a good man has ended buried in the earth. He had many followers of the Torah, and he was a pillar to whom the big and the small turned. A righteous man in the land. The Rabbi ….(?) the waters of the river flow out from the holy sanctuary as the best. An honourable man whose body and soul are of the land. The rabbi rose to the place of the great ones, face to face. To the holy people who are in the land, Rabbi of Tiberias, he is the head, our teacher, the famous rabbi, head of the yeshiva, our honourable teacher and rabbi, the Rabbi Ezra Malki May his memory live on in the world to come. His soul will dwell at ease where the righteous reside. As the great of the land, he was summoned before the divine justice on the seventh day of the month of Iyar in the year 5528 since the creation. [24 April 1768] May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life.
1770 book of Grand Rabbi Ezra Malki of Rhodes, entitled “Ein Mishpat”. The book was acquired in 2023 by the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation. |
 | Moshe de Boshal, 1680(aka Moshe de Vushal in the books of Avraham Galante & Rabbi Marc Angel) Rabbi Moshe de Boshal was born around 1610 in the city of Sidon (now part of Lebanon) and grew up in Safed, Israel. He left for Rhodes at the age of 25 and soon became the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community in Rhodes. He was the author of the book “Yismach Moshe” which contains sermons for the weekly parasha (Torah reading). This book was published in Smyrna (Izmir), Turkey in 1675. He died in the latter half of the 17th century, around 1680. This is the oldest tombstone of a Rhodes Chief Rabbi that is in the Rhodes Jewish cemetery. Translation: I will lament with a bitter voice; I will not keep silent. For a righteous person who flourished like a palm tree, the man Moshe. Ululate and cry bitterly, while grieving for Moshe. The poor will also cry over the death of Moshe. And the Torah that Moshe placed will cry bitterly, For both the low and the haughty do not remember Moshe’s Torah; Moshe will be happy to rest in tranquility. Is he not the Chief Rabbi, the head of the yeshiva, the humble righteous person? Our honourable teacher and rabbi, the Rabbi Moshe de Boshal, May the memory of a righteous and holy man be blessed, He died with a good name, may his resting place be in the garden of Eden, on the first day of the month of Tamuz …. (the rest is missing) |
| Rahamim Haim Yehuda Israel, 1892Rabbi Rahamim Haim Yehuda Israel became Chief Rabbi of Rhodes in 1882 and served the community in this position for ten years. He succeeded Rabbi Rafael Isaac Israel who emigrated to Jerusalem. He was the son of Michael Yakov Israel and brother of Rabbi Yedidia Yosef Israel, whose tombstone is also located in the cemetery. He was the author of the book “Ben-Yamin”, which was an extensive debate on the second tractate of the Mishna. Translation: Our crown has fallen, Woe what happened to us. Look passers-by because beneath me will rest a man from the breed of holy rabbis and great sages of Israel. None other than the author of the book “Masat Moshe”, and his son the author of the book “Kol Eliyahu”, and his son the author of the book “Moshe Yidaber”, and his son the author of the book “Kol Yehudah” and his son the author of the book “Shenot Yemin”. His integrity will protect us Amen, and after him his son who is concealed here, the crown of our heads, our teacher, our rabbi, the spirit that we breath, the Chief Rabbi, honour the holiness of the name and his glory Rahamim Haim Yehuda Israel the author of the book Ben-Yamin”. I was speechless and I will not praise him because he ordered so before his death. Oh!! There is no one left to replace him. And when the coffin set forward “they raised their voices in the house of the Lord as on the appointed day” for bitter lamentation. [Lamentations: chapter 2, verse 7]. And the night of vigil [the first night of Passover] turned into a night of crying, and all the nation of Israel mourned for him because “God cast the glory of Israel from heaven to earth”. [Lamentations: chapter 2, verse 1] Born on the 5th of the month of Tamuz 5575 [13 July 1815] and he saw that his resting place was good on the first night of Passover 5652 [12 April 1892] “We became orphans and are fatherless” [Lamentations: chapter 5, verse 3] in the year 5652. Sleep well and wake up mercifully until the end of time. [On the right side:] “And my master’s soul will be bound in the bond of life.” [Samuel 1: chapter 25, verse 29] [On the left side:] “Hear Lord, the voice of Yehuda and bring him unto his people (Deuteronomy: chapter 33, verse 7) Grand Rabbi of Rhodes, Rahamim Haim Yehuda Israel book, entitled “Ben Yamin” published in 1896. It contains legal responses, novellae and commentaries on the Talmud. The book was acquired by the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation in 2023. |
| Samuel Jacob Israel, 1920Rabbi Samuel Jacob Israel was the son of Rabbi Rahamim Haim Yehuda Israel, whose tombstone can also be found in the Rabbis’ section of the cemetery. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge. We will bear wailing and lamentation forever. Our crown has fallen, full of Torah and wisdom. He studied the Torah with great belief. May his soul rest in peace. The crown of our heads has fallen, my teacher, my father, the complete sage, our honourable teacher and rabbi, the Rabbi Samuel Jacob Israel of blessed memory son of the Rabbi, who was the author of the book Ben Yamin. May his memory live on in the world to come On Saturday, 5 Sivan 5680 [22 May 1920]. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. |
 | Reuven Eliahu Israel, 1932Rabbi Reuven Eliahu Israel was the Chief Rabbi of Rhodes from 1921 to 1932. He was the 12th descendant of the same religiously prominent family to serve as Rabbis, a succession which lasted over 200 years. Rabbi Israel devoted a great part of his life to the translation from Hebrew to Djudeo-Espanyol of psalms, proverbs, poems, and religious works, such as the “Kryiat de Itzhak” (The Sacrifice of Isaac) and the “Pirke Avot” (The Sayings of Our Fathers). He was the son of Rabbi Rahamim Haim Yehuda Israel, whose tombstone can also be found in the Rabbis’ section of the cemetery. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge. Here lies buried Reuven Eliahu Israel who served for twenty-four and a half years as a rabbi and cantor for the Sephardic community in the city of Craiova, in Romania and here in Rhodes from 14 Iyar 5681 [22 May 1921] until 20 Tishrei 5693 [20 October 1932] He was born on the 27th of Sivan 5616 [30 June 1856] He died and was taken to his everlasting place on 20 Tishrei 5693 [20 October 1932]. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life.
1922 Ladino booklet of poems for Rosh Hashana, Kipur & Selihot, and the booklet, Pirkei Avot by Grand Rabbi Ruven Eliahu Israel. The books were acquired in 2018 by the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation. |
| Yedidiah Yosef Israel, 1919Yedidiah Yosef Israel was the son of Michael Yaacov Israel who wrote the book “Shenot Yemin”, which includes sermons and commentaries from the Torah, Prophets and Scriptures. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge A burial place for the honourable old man, his light shined in the holy community for more than 50 years. God fearing, he turned away from evil. He suffered in agony. Beloved of heaven and earth. He was a humble man and a friend of God. A pedigree offspring, son of the same righteous author of the book “Shenot Yemin”, may his memory live on in the world to come. He is none other than the complete sage, our honourable teacher, the Rabbi Yedidiah Yosef Israel of blessed memory He died and was taken to his everlasting place on Sunday, 9th of Tishrei in the year 5679 [15 September 1918]. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. |
| Avraham Vital Ben Stamo, 1922Though Avraham Vital Ben Stamo’s tombstone is located in the Rabbis’ section of the cemetery, there is no evidence to corroborate that he was a rabbi. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge Zion Woe beloved father, why did you abandon us? We loved you with all our hearts and you also loved us. You suffered from many pangs which led you to your grave. Your days ended with sickness and the crisis grew. Where are you? Avraham Vital Ben Stamo Wearily, you will fall asleep as dust and be soothed. Your candle has been extinguished on earth but it will shine in heaven. 22 Adar in the year 5682 [22 March 1922] |
| Menahem Mizrahi, 1878Though Menahem Mizrahi’s tombstone is located in the Rabbis’ section of the cemetery, there is no evidence to corroborate that he was a rabbi. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge. I will make a howling sound and utter a bitter eulogy on the death of my father, my teacher, my parent, and my glory, the exalted sage who suffered in agony our honourable teacher, Menahem Mizrahi of blessed memory, and he died on the 18th day of the month of Adar l in the year 5638 [21 February 1878] |
| Hezkia Samuel Tarika, 1859Rabbi Hezkia Samuel Tarica authored a book of biblical commentaries and a pamphlet of Djudeo-Espanyol poems. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge The sound of lamentation is heard with wailing. He disappeared from the land. The teacher of little children. Taught the Torah to students. Woe to the one who departed, and Samuel left. The sound of Samuel’s sons crying bitterly. And Mordechai tore his cloths. We have become orphans and we do not have a father nor a mother; we are in bitter grief. Trapped in our inequities. The crown of our heads has fallen. Half way through his life he was cut off from his people. And Samuel died. The sound of a woman crying bitterly is heard, because her radiance was taken from her – a holy devotee. Call me bitter as a black raven. His Master called him, and Samuel lay down. The sound of his praise. Blessed is his birth. Grew up with a good name and died with a true sagacious name, the complete sage, our teacher the Rabbi, Hezkia Samuel Tarica of blessed memory. And Samuel a great writer of Israel, died on the first day of Purim in the year 5619 [20 March 1859] and God will summon Samuel to the Garden of Eden. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. May his soul rest in paradise. |
| Meir Baruch Capeluto, 1874Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge. The voice of the son and the daughter crying for the fire, grief, and sorrow. We became orphans and we do not have a father, where did he go, “for a fire went forth from (the city of) Heshbon” [Numbers: chapter 21, verse 28]. The clever and the wise were of no help to him (at the time of his death). She did not find rest in the four corners. The sound crying voice of his wife, his widow is dressed in black and her tear on her cheek, a loud and bitter cry “Woe Woe”. He was struck by a tortuous illness. Blessed be the judge of truth. He is righteous and his decree is righteous, immutable and true. Alas for this beauty will dry up in the earth. The great sage who was depressed from tribulations. He died before his time, the honourable Rabbi Meir Baruch Capeluto, may his soul rest in paradise. And Baruch died on the fourth intermediate day of Passover in the year 5634 [7 April 1874]. He has reached his resting place and inheritance. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. |
| Eliyahu Menashe, 1906Eliyahu Menashe was the son of the renowned Moshe Menashe, who founded the Menashe Yeshiva. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge. A tombstone for a holy man of God, a man of great deeds. He collected money, handful upon handful for the poor of Jerusalem. He guided many in their belief in the LORD God of hosts. “He turned many away from sin.” [Malachi: chapter 2, verse 6]. And this stone will be a memorial for him so the last generation will know his name and the name of his father and the day of his order. His name is greater than the names of other rabbis because before his death he ordered that he did not aspire to great things and miracles. Our honourable teacher, the Rabbi, Eliyahu Menashe, of blessed memory, son of the righteous, the glorious treasurer whose name is known and praised, the master our honourable teacher and Rabbi Moshe Menashe, of blessed memory. And Eliyahu ascended on the 20th day of the month of mercy [Elul] at the age of 76 in the year 5666 [10 September 1906]. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life, Amen. |
| Gedalia Capeluto, 1897Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge. A tombstone for this great man. The deceased was graceful with his Creator and was rewarded for this. A beloved great writer, he attended the early morning and evening services in the synagogue and in the beit midrash. He was a jewel in his many deeds, there was no impurity in them. An upright and honest man, a God-fearing man. A man whose being was filled with great goodness, a complete sage, all the confirmations included. He was loved in heaven and on earth. What a pious man, what a humble man, our honourable teacher, the Rabbi, Gedalia Capeluto May his memory live on in the world to come and may his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. On the twentieth day of the month of Adar ll in the year 5657 [24 March 1897]. |
| Moshe Codron, 1935Translation: And Moshe the servant of God died there and was buried on the 16th day of Adar ll 5695 [21 March 1935] He was seventy-five years old at the time of his death. Blessed be the righteous judge From the heavens he is sending fire and from skies, flames. Moshe Codron, a highly praised man passed away and went to his resting place. And his name will be remembered and here before our eyes he lies in a coffin. Blessed be he that he left a bitter home in the land. And he ascended to the heavens, a place that he carved for himself. His spirit will reside in the shelter of God And may his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life Translation from Italian Moise Codron Born in 1860 – Died on 21 March 1935 |
| Israel Jacob Capouya, 1943Rabbi Jacob Capouya taught at the Alliance Israélite Universelle school in Rhodes. Translation: Blessed be the righteous judge. Here will sleep eternally at rest, a wise and respected man, old with a satisfied life, a God-fearing man who turned away from evil during his long life. He held and served in two holy positions, the position of a cantor and the position of a teacher of small children. He raised and uplifted many students in the spirit of Judaism. His death was a great loss to the whole community. He left behind him sons, daughters, grandchildren, and an old wife. And this is the wise man Israel Jacob Capouya, son of Eliyahu, of blessed memory. He died on the seventh of Shevat 5703 [13 January 1943] at the age of 96. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life. Translation from French Here lies Rabbi Jacob Capouya And in memory of his wife, Miriam who was deported to Auschwitz at the age of 97, his daughter-in-law, Regina his grandson, Roberto As well as of his son Leon Yehuda Capouya 20 July 1944
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Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation
