Obj. ID: 36860  Shadai'a, Ioannina, 1857

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

In a custom unique to the Romaniote Jews and in particular, to the community in Ioannina, Parochet plaques of silver were prepared and dedicated for various reasons to be hung around the doors of the Aron Kodesh on a band of textile material. The earliest plaques are known from the 17th century and such plaques are still being made in Romainote communities. Seen in the context of the Greek Orthodox culture in which the Romaniote communities reside, the custom appears to be a reflection of the votive plaques prepared and dedicated to the local churches. Certain silversmiths in each generation prepared plaques, and within particular periods the plaques resemble one another closely. Almost all of them begin with the words, "Al Shadai" and therefore are called "Shaddaya" or "Shaddayot" in the plural.

This example along with a Torah scroll and a wrapper was dedicated in 1862 to the new synagogue in Ioannina by Yosef Yesolah in memory of his father and in honor of his children and mother. There is another plaque donated by Yesolah in this grouping.