Img. ID: 441718

 Who is Commemorated?

Jews of Rhodes and Kos killed in Holocaust

Description

The Holocaust memorial is located on the north side of the cemetery. It is approached along a path that branches of on the left from the main cemetery axis leading from the entrance. The path to the monument is lined with well-tended rosebushes and low hedges.

The monument is built as an interpretation of the ancient Greek style of religious and funerary architecture. A low rectangular platform is surmounted by a knee-high metal fence, which is only open on the east side. The width of the opening aligns with the width of the monument.

The moment consists of two main parts. A tall aedicule framed by fluted pilasters and topped by a pediment and acroteria. Set between the pilasters is a single tall plaque with an arched top, inscribed commemorative text in three languages (Hebrew, French, and Greek). The monument is made of gleaming white marble. The only decoration is a low relief Magen David in the pediment, and three classical-style acroteria on the apex and corners of the pediment. In front of the aedicula and beneath the memorial inscription is set a large tomb-like structure, similar to the hollow stone boxes which mark many Sephardic graves. This is covered by a large marble slab, laid flat, and inscribed with the family names of the Jews of Rhodes and Kos who were deported and killed. The end of this slab at the bottom of the inscription, facing the memorial entrance, is curved. 

Inscriptions

In Hebrew:

זאת המצבה
זכרון קודש לאלפיים
הקדושם הי''ד מבני
קהלתנו ק''ק רודוס
אשר נרצחו בשואה
של הזרים הנאצים
במחנות התופת
שבגרמניה הרשעה
תש''ד תש''ה
ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.

Translation: 

In French:

EN MEMOIRE
DES DEUX MILLE MARTYRS
DE LA COMMUNAUTE JUIVE
DE RHODES ET COS
BRUTALEMENT ANEANTIS
PAR LES MEURTRIERS
NAZIS DANS LES CAMPS
DE CONCENTRATION
EN ALLEMAGNE
1944-1945
QUE LEUR AME REPOSE EN PAIX.

Translation: 

In Greek:

ΕΙΣ ΜΝΗΜΗΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΚΤΟΠΙΣΘΕΝΤΩΝ
ΙΣΡΑΗΛΙΤΩΝ ΡΟΔΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΩ
ΘΑΝΑΤΩΘΕΝΤΩΝ ΕΙΣ ΤΑ ΣΤΡΑΤΟΠΕΔΑ
ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΕΩΣ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΑΣΣ
1944-1945
ΕΙΗ Η ΜΝΗΜΗ  ΑΥΤΩΝ ΑΙΩΝΙΑ

Translation: 

Commissioned by

Jewish communities of Rhodes and Kos