Two hundred artifacts from the Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation Collection have been transferred to the JCR with the Museum as its permanent depository.
For inquiries about donating artifacts, email: info@rhodesjewishmuseum.org
This “megila” used for Purim was handmade in Rhodes on parchment. The opening title page indicates that it was written in 5622 (=1862) for Yitzhak Hasson, the son of Baruch Hasson. From the family of Murray “Moshe” Hasson of Hawaii.
The 3 round doilies with the Star of David design were made using the “kohaki” needlework. These items would take several weeks to complete. From Liba Breger Feuerstein.
Early 1900s velvet pillowcase with embroidered gold-metal thread handmade in Rhodes by Perla Menashe Benoun.
Early 1900s runner embroidery decorated repeatedly with the word “Yerushalayim” handmade in Rhodes by Perla Menashe Benoun.
Embroidery of the “Sacrifice of Isaac” is a depiction of the religious episode where Abraham was tested to show his devotion to God by sacrificing his son Isaac. From the family of Selma Franco Jaffe.
The “Baul”, a wooden trousseau or chest was made in Rhodes during the 1930s. Typical of Rhodian chest, it is coated with a velvet fabric with bold floral design and is reinforced with sheet metal and wooden slats. This one was brought to the United States in 1936 by Salva Alcana Levy. From Leon Levy of Rancho Mirage.
This is a brass container for fragrant oils and waters often used at the end of the day of Yom Kippur to dispense the sweet smell of “agua de flor” to refresh the stamina of a long day of prayer services. This was part of the trousseau of “Hermana” Miriam Hasson Levy in 1926. From Sylvia Levy Aboulafia.
The “Kucharera” and 2 containers for “dulses” are made of silver. These were used to hold the spoons & forks and to serve the sweets for special gatherings such as holidays, birth celebrations, and engagement parties. From the family of Victoria Hasson, as part of her trousseau by her mother, Rahel Tarica.
This embroidered bag holds the “talit” (prayer shawl). It is made of a purple material decorated with metallic thread with a leaf and floral design. Attached to the opening of the case are two multi-colored ornamental tassels. It belonged to Sam Eliakim Piha and is from the family of Janine Eskenazi Hasson.
Penknife with the engraving “Salomon Alhadeff Figli- Rodi” on one side and “Case Fondata Nel 1819” on the reverse side. From Liba Breger Feuerstein.
The medal was given to Bension Menasche bestowing him with the title of “Cavaliere della Corona d’Italia” for his commercial achievements at the Alhadeff Bank.
The stamp “di razza ebraica” was used to recognize and discriminate against a person’s Jewish heritage during the anti-Jewish laws of the Italian Fascist Era. It was used on legal documents, including Identification Cards, like this one belonging to Lucia Turiel Capelluto.
This religious garment was worn underneath the clothes. This was brought from Rhodes to the United States by Robert Benveniste in 1915. From Eleanor Benveniste Moscatel.
These 2 small boxes contain Biblical verses that were used for religious prayer. They are worn on the left arm and around the head, attached with leather straps. These belonged to Israel Behor Hasson. From Ted (Israel) Hasson.
This 61-page booklet describes how the Rabbinical College was founded in Rhodes in 1928. It contains biographies of the Professors as well as detailing the curriculum for graduation. From Liba Breger Feuerstein, the daughter of Rabbi Breger of the Rabbinical College.
This belt buckle was part of the trousseau of Selma Levy Mizrahi and was used to accessorize women’s costumes during Purim. From Stella Levi.
The Mikva clogs decorated with inlaid mother-of-pearl was worn by the new bride at the ceremony of her ritual bath (el banyo de novia). Bottom: a pair of high-heeled clogs, made from olive wood with leather straps. From Selma Franco Jaffe.
These early 20th century entari were from the family of Bellina (nee Hasson) Gold of Los Angeles. Bellina was born in Rhodes in 1916 and immigrated to the United States in 1930. She was the daughter of Haim Hasson and Mazaltov Levi. The man’s garment on the left, had an open front which was tied closed around the waist. It was made of a two-colored striped silk fabric. The woman’s garment on the right, was made from a mauve-colored taffeta fabric with thin vertical turquoise pinstripes and top-stitched scalloped trim.
A medal of recognition given to Bension Menasche for his achievements at the Alhadeff Bank.
The stamp “di razza ebraica” was used to recognize and discriminate against a person’s Jewish heritage during the anti-Jewish laws of the Italian Fascist Era. It was used on legal documents such as passports, identification cards, business licenses, etc.
Stella describing the use of takos de boda (clogs inlaid with mother-of-pearl) during the bridal ritual bath (Baño de Novia); the brass perfume container for agua de flor (rosewater) and the kucharera made of silver for dulces.
A photo of 1926 capturing the festivity (likely Purim) along La Kay Ancha of La Juderia.
Rhodes Jewish Historical Foundation
