Synagogues In Corfu

A Place Of Worship

Leftover History

Information on synagogues in Corfu can be confusing due to many contradictory sources. There were three synagogues on the island, but also a midrash located in one of them.

Romaniote Jews in Corfu had their own synagogue when the first Sephardim Jews arrived in Corfu. Fearing of being taken over, they decided to keep to themselves, forcing the newly arrived Jews to establish their own synagogue.

The Romaniote synagogue was known as Tempio Greco or Scuola Greca. It was erected in the 17^th century. Despite the German bombings from 1943, it remained intact. It’s the only remaining synagogue in Corfu today.

Apulian synagogues were known as Tempio Maggio or Vecchio and Tempio Nuovo. One of them was located on the Solomou street, while the other one was on the Palaiologou Street.

Despite serving two different communities with unique traditions and customs, all synagogues in Corfu had certain design elements in common.

Unfortunately, the Apulian synagogues were both destroyed in 1943.

Items

Explore The Synagogues In Corfu

Cup

Local Jews tried to save whatever they could from the remains of the Apulian synagogues. Apart from books and scrolls, small items were also saved and kept in case the synagogues were rebuilt. It’s unclear which synagogue this cup was recovered from. It was taken by someone called Konstantin and kept in the family for decades.

· Donated by the Sava family

Candle Holders

Some of the most valuable things in the Apulian synagogues destroyed by Nazis were saved by local Jews. Some other things were looted by locals. These candle holders are the only ones left from a bigger collection. Panagiotis, a local from Kokkini, preserved and kept them in the family. His grandchildren found them in his attic after he passed away.

· Donated by Vasileios Salis

Souvenir Bag

This souvenir bag from the British Mandate of Palestine was found empty close to one of the synagogues destroyed by Nazis. It’s uncertain what souvenir it had inside. No one knows who it belonged to either. It was saved by a local called Athanasios and kept in the family. He saved a few other things, but his family donated them to different Jewish museums around the world.

· Donated by the Bakas family

Many More Items

Our collection has countless other items to display. We are currently in the process of saving donations to open a physical museum, so we can display the entire collection. Any donation through the button below will be greatly appreciated and can help us preserve the memory of the Holocaust alive. Thank you.

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Rebecca Aaron was the last Holocaust survivor in Corfu. May her memory be a blessing.

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