Obj. ID: 36864  Shadai'a, Ioannina, 1864

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 Shadaya was dedicated by Yoseph Yesolah, for whom there is another plaque in this group, in memory of his parents, in honor of his wife and his children, and for the recovery of all the ill in the congregation of the new synagogue in Ioannina, 1869. In addition to this plaque he also dedicated a Torah Scroll and its wrapper.