The Sephardic Community of Rhodes was established in 1523 by victims and children of the expulsion of Jews from Spain. It was destroyed by the Nazis in 1944. Although relatively small, the Rhodian Jewish community was important, far out of proportion to its size, due to the considerable influence of its rabbis and scholars. This is a comprehensive study of the Rhodian Jewish community, tracing not only its history but also its economic and cultural life, customs and traditions, its rabbis and scholars, its folklore and literature. Although unique in many respects, the Sephardic Community of Rhodes may be viewed as a microcosm of Sephardic life throughout the Ottoman Empire and thus this study provides a basis for understanding the history and culture of the Judeo-Spanish speaking Sephardim in general.
by Marc D. Angel