After seventy-five years since the deportation and annihilation of Kos’ Jewish community by the Nazis, in Auschwitz the Dodecanese island’s synagogue has been reborn, unveiling its restored magnificence to the world on Sunday.
“The cherished Kal Shalom has once again reclaimed its identity as a synagogue, extending its warm embrace to the local community and welcoming thousands of visitors from across the globe,” declared the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KISE) in an eagerly anticipated statement before the reopening.
The renovation project was overseen by architect Elias Messinas, with support from the local municipality, KISE, and the Hippocrates Civic Society.
Beyond its spiritual purpose, the revitalized synagogue will serve as a vital center for preserving memories, fostering knowledge, and celebrating culture.
Ahead of the reopening, Rabbi Gabriel Negrin of Athens conducted a poignant memorial service at the Jewish cemetery, honoring the memory of the island’s lost Jewish souls. Among the attendees were Mayor Theodosis Nikitaras, the President of the Municipal Council, and representatives from the Muslim community, including Imam Irfan Trampa, alongside esteemed members of Greece’s Jewish community.
The inaugural ceremony at the Synagogue commenced with Rabbi Negrin conducting the solemn “opening of doors” ritual, symbolizing a new chapter in the synagogue’s history. The Sepher Torah, generously donated by the Athens Jewish Community, was carried with great reverence by Dimi-David Opsimoulis, a descendant of Michel Menashe, the last Jew of Kos.
As the mezuzot were respectfully placed at the main entrance by KIS President David Saltiel and at the Synagogue’s doors by Rabbi Negrin and the President of the Jewish Community of Rhodes, Claudia Restis, prayers and blessings filled the air.
During the event, KIS Secretary General Victor Eliezer shared a heartfelt message on behalf of the General Secretary of Religious Affairs, Giorgos Kalantzis, celebrating the dual utilization of the space as a cultural and spiritual haven—a beacon of pride transcending the island’s borders.
Metropolitan Bishop of Kos and Nisyros Nathanael accentuated the island’s historical ties with the Jewish community, dating back to ancient times, even recounting the visit of Apostle Paul to the Synagogue of Kos in AD 57.
Mayor Nikitaras expressed the municipality’s profound sense of duty towards the synagogue, passionately stating that it was their sacred obligation to protect and preserve it, honoring the history of their Jewish fellow citizens and society as a whole.
KIS President Saltiel underscored the profound messages conveyed by the renovated synagogue, emphasising its significance in preserving the rich heritage of Kos’ Jewish legacy and promoting the vital importance of unity and brotherhood.
In her address, the President of the Hippocrates Civic Society, Dionysia Telli, described the inauguration as a poignant memorial to the Jewish community of Kos, a poignant reminder of the horrors of Nazism, and a powerful starting point for fostering cultural interaction and respect for one another.
This occasion marks the resurgence of an symbol of faith, resilience, and unity—a testament to the spirit of the humanity and a beacon of hope for generations to come.
