eSefarad Noticias del Mundo Sefaradi
The Jews of Creta
Etz Hayyim has no congregation hence has no means of having the normal support that a synagogue might rely on. As a non-profit organization it depends completely on the understanding, sharing and participation of individuals or foundations in the form of financial support, who share the values and aspirations of this sacred site.
In the course of the last World War the synagogue lost several of the support spaces that provided offices, the women’s section and most likely the house of the shamash. Today we are severly cramped and there is a possiblity that we can acquire part of the old Talmud Torah that once abutted the Synagogue.
Help us reconstruct the Ezrat Nashim (women’s section)
The entire project for renovating Etz Hayyim Synagogue as initially conceived included the restoration of this integral part of the Synagogue in accordance with the traditional layout of Romaniote (Graeco-Roman Byzantine) Synagogues in Crete. At present this is the only aspect of the project that has not been realized. Fortunately, a drawing of the Ezrat Nashim that was apparently done in 1917 has come to light. On the basis of this drawing the present reconstruction can be carried out with accuracy.
If the Synagogue has “spoken” to you we urge you to help us complete this work, which was begun this spring by adopting one or more components of its reconstruction.
If you are interested in becomeing one of the Benefactors of the Synagogue, you may contact us
Fuente: LK, San Hassid, Rachel A. Bortnick – Etz Hayyim Synagogue
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I am very touched and glad to see the reconstruction of the synagogue and museum. It is very important to note that much of the Jewish world was oblivious to the arsons, could care less, and decided not to publicize the event; including the ADL, Weisenthal Center for Tolerance in Los Angeles, and other major Jewish organizations in the diaspora who boast of carrying the flag against anti-Semitism, but failed in light of the most severe anti-Semitic event in the Balkans since the Holocaust. Many Jewish and general newspapers refused to publicize the events, and several articles I prepared.were not published. The Editorial Office of Fox News preferred to publish a scoop of a female teacher sleeping with her 12 year old student some 120 times, but not of the arson of a Jewish synagogue/museum in Greece for the second time within less than two weeks.
On the other hand it is truly admirable how the staff and community repaired the damage and continue to prosper and grow despite their meager means and support.
I am confidant the musuem and synagogue will flourish, grew, and Jewish life in Crete will
prosper.
Nikos Stavrolakis and his staff, and community are a model to us all in their efforts to comemmorate the rich past of Cretan and Greek Jewry, and recreate Jewish life after the Holocaust (Shoa).
Yashar Kokachem VeHazak Baruch!
Yitzchak Kerem, Historian of Greek and Sephardic Jewry