On September 14, 1999 the
WMF presented a new World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered
Sites to the press. Among the sites of this year’s prestigious list, next
to the historic center of Mostar, Bosnia Herzegovina, and the Valley of
the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, one will proudly read the name of the Kahal
Shalom synagogue of Rhodes. The synagogue was listed thanks to the successful
efforts of the Jewish Community of Rhodes and the Association of Friends
of Greek Jewry.
The synagogue which was built in the 16th century, is the oldest standing
synagogue in Greece. It is located in the Jewish quarter (Juderia) of
the old city of Rhodes.
The listing and international attention that this synagogue is receiving,
will enable the Jewish Community of Rhodes to raise the necessary funds
towards the implementation of the conservation of the building. The synagogue
is in danger of collapse, due to erosion caused by water damage on its
porous stone. The renovation has been estimated at $250,000.
Kol haKEHILA wishes to invite our readers who share the goal of restoring
this unique and most important synagogue, to contact Kol
haKEHILA and fax: + 972(2) 563.6690. |
