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Announcements and Upcoming Events

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Sounds of Cyprus - Music Concert

Sunday October 15, 2023 at 5pm

KKJ is honored to welcome the acclaimed musical group Sounds of Cyprus to perform traditional Cypriot music in our historic sanctuary. Following their thrilling performance at our Greek Jewish Festival, this event promises an equally moving experience in a more intimate setting. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

 

Purchase tickets Here

Sounds of Cyprus is a Cypriot orchestra co-founded by Elena Chris and Peter Douskalis in New York City. The group performs the traditional music of Cyprus in varying orchestrations and styles that both consciously honor the time period of composition and period instruments as well as perform with a modern approach. Elena Chris, vocalist, front person, and Creative Director of the group, sings the traditional songs in the Cypriot dialect of Greek, as well as in Turkish for songs that contain lyrics in both languages. Peter Douskalis, Music Director, plays the laouto, oud, mandolin, and guitar in the group, switching between the proper instrument as needed for the authentic and modern orchestration of the pieces. Other instruments of the group are violin/viola (Alex Tasopoulos), contrabass (Erikos Vlesmas), pithkiavli and ney (Stavros Papadopoulos), and percussion (Mark Katsaounis).

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Greek Jewish Festival

May 21, 2023 from 12pm-6pm

Join the Greek Jewish Festival as we celebrate the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of the Jews of Greece. Experience a feast for the senses including authentic kosher Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries, traditional Greek dancing and live Greek and Sephardic music, an outdoor marketplace full of vendors, arts and educational activities for kids, and much more!

Learn more at www.GreekJewishFestival.com

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Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony

April 23, 2023 at 1pm

 

Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum invites you to our annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony with a special screening of the film “A Bookstore in Six Chapters.”

We invite you to join us to remember all who perished in the Holocaust, especially those we lost on the 80th anniversary of the deportation of Jews from Monastir, Thessaloniki, Veroia and communities in the Bulgarian Zone of Occupation in Greece.

 

Following the ceremony there will be a screening of the acclaimed film “A Bookstore in Six Chapters,” which tells the story of Renee Saltiel and Solon Molho who grew up in Thessaloniki and managed to survive thanks to a Spanish diplomat and some very brave Greek families.

Refreshments will be served
Please RSVP to Museum@kkjsm.org

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Songs We Still Sing - A Memorial Concert for the Sephardic Jews of Monastir

March 11, 2023 at 8pm

 

On March 11, 1943, Bulgarian soldiers forcibly took Jews across North Macedonia, from Bitola, Stip, and Skopje, to the Monopol tobacco warehouse outside Skopje. Over the following days, more than 7,000 Jews existed under inhumane conditions in the warehouse before being taken to the death camp, Treblinka.

Eighty years later to the day, descendants of one of these Jewish communities, the Monastirli of Bitola, will get together to talk, pray, and sing in order to remember those who were murdered.

We take this time to mourn, but also to recognize that the Holocaust was not the end of our story.

This event is sponsored by the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America, with co-sponsorship provided by the Permanent Mission of North Macedonia to the UN, and Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue & Museum. This concert is a part of the Where Our Roots Meet Project: Preserving and sharing Monastirli music and culture.

Watch the full concert Here

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Community Purim Celebration

March 6, 2023 at 6:00pm

Join us at KKJ as we celebrate a Greek Jewish Purim! 

The evening starts on Monday March 6 at 6:00pm with Minha and Arvith services, followed by a Romaniote Megillah Reading. Afterwards we'll enjoy a traditional Greek Jewish dinner. Dress up as your favorite costumes and celebrate this festive Jewish holiday with your family and friends!

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Flower of Vlora: Growing up Jewish in Communist Albania with Anna Kohen

Sunday March 5th at 12pm

Kehila Kedosha Janina is honored to welcome Anna Kohen to present her new book “Flower of Vlora: Growing up Jewish in Communist Albania." Anna Kohen, a Romaniote Jew with roots from Ioannina, will tell the fascinating story of how her family was saved from the Nazis by Muslim Albanians. Her new book has been widely acclaimed in Israel, Greece, Albania, Kosovo, and the United States.

 

Dr. Anna Kohen was born in Vlora, Albania, and left in 1966 with seven of her family members and moved to Greece where she completed dental school. In 1991, with the help of several Jewish organizations, including the Sisterhood of Janina, she brought 37 of her Albanian relatives to the United States. That same year she was invited to Albania to celebrate the founding of the Albanian-Israeli society and was appointed Honorary Member. In 2004, the President of the Albanian Republic awarded her the medal for Special Civil Merits for valuable contributions in helping Albanians during the Kosovar humanitarian crisis. Dr. Kohen has served the Albanian community for over 30 years as President of the Albania American Women's Organization.

Watch a full video of the presentation Here

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Book Presentation: Sepher Yosippon with Prof. Steven Bowman

Sunday December 18, 2022 at 1pm

Kehila Kedosha Janina is honored to welcome Professor Steven Bowman to present his latest book “Sepher Yosippon: A Tenth-Century History of Ancient Israel.”

 

Join us for this special event as we welcome Steven Bowman, Professor Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati, to present his latest book “Sepher Yossipon: A Tenth-Century History of Ancient Israel.” This scholarly piece is an example of Professor Bowman’s extraordinary research. Sepher Yosippon was written in Hebrew by a medieval historian and noted by modern scholars for its eloquent style. It is a chronicle of Jewish history and legend from Adam to the destruction of the Second Temple. Steven Bowman brings his mastery of Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and English to bear on this complicated translation.

 

The anonymous author of this text remains unique for his approach to history, his use of sources, and his almost secular attitude, which is an exception to the modern picture of the medieval Jews living in a religious age. Bowman’s translation offers a well-wrought story for scholars and students interested in Jewish legend and history in the medieval period, Jewish studies, medieval literature, and folklore studies.

Watch a video of the presentation Here

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Photo Exhibit Reception: Sephardic & Romaniote Religious and Social Organizations in New York

Sunday November 20, 2022 at 1pm

Kehila Kedosha Janina & The Foundation for the Advancement of Sephardic Studies & Culture

invite you to a Photo Exhibit Reception on Sephardic & Romaniote Religious and Social Organizations in New York.

 

In the early 20th century, the demise of the Ottoman Empire, the Balkan Wars, and WWI initiated a wave of Sephardic & Romaniote immigration to the US from Greece & Turkey. Families came from both small towns and larger cities with mixed populations of Christians, Muslims and Jews. These locales included Kastoria, Ioannina, Chios, Rhodes, Monastir, Adrianople (Edirne), Rodosto (Tekirdag), Silivria, Çorlu, Çanakkale, Angora (Ankara), Salonika, Constantinople, and Smyrna (Izmir). Most settled in New York, but many went elsewhere: New Brunswick, Rochester, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Montgomery, Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

These immigrants organized religious & mutual aid societies based on their cities of origin to help provide for the needs of their less fortunate compatriots. Over time they also formed shared social clubs that helped unify the community. Join us to view photos from these historic organizations and learn more about these immigrants’ experience adapting to life in the US.

Watch a video of the presentation Here

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One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World

Sunday November 13, 2022 at 1pm

 

Kehila Kedosha Janina Museum invites you to a special Conversation with Stella Levi on the new book “One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World” by Michael Frank.

 

Stella Levi, born on the island of Rhodes in 1923, was taken from her island paradise when the Jews of Rhodes were deported on July 23, 1944. Surviving Auschwitz, Stella lost most of her family and, for many years, found it very difficult to return to Rhodes. When she finally did, in the 1980s, she committed herself to remembering the lost Jews of Rhodes. She was instrumental in helping to save the historic Kahal Shalom synagogue in Rhodes, originally built in 1577, and create the present Jewish Museum inside the synagogue. Stella also worked to have each and every name of the Jews of Rhodes who perished memorialized on a series of boards in the courtyard of Kahal Shalom. Now, with the publication of this book, Stella is also ensuring that the traditions and customs of the Jewish Community of Rhodes will be remembered. Join us as Stella presents this new book and autographs copies for sale.

Watch a video of the presentation Here

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The Jews of Corfu - New Exhibit Opening Reception

Sunday October 23, 2022 at 1pm

Kehila Kedosha Janina Museum invites you to join us for the opening reception of our newest museum exhibit on the Jews of Corfu. In conjunction with the Columbia University Rare Book and Manuscript Library and the Jewish Theological Seminary Library, which recently launched their exhibit “The Jews of Corfu: Between the Adriatic and the Ionian,” Kehila Kedosha Janina Museum is proud to share our newest exhibit highlighting the history and daily life of the Jewish Community of Corfu.

The island of Corfu is now part of Greece, but from 1386 until the end of the 18th century it was under Venetian rule and was closely affiliated with Italian Jewry. At the same time, it was home to a community of Greek-speaking Romaniote Jews and Italian-speaking Jews from Apulia and Sicily. Join us to learn more about this fascinating historic Jewish community.

Learn more about the Jews of Corfu by viewing digital exhibits from Columbia University here and the Jewish Museum of Greece here

We gratefully thank those who made this exhibit possible with generous donations:

Linda, Michael and Abie Krieger in memory of Hy Eliasof

Mark and Holly Eliasof in memory of Hy Eliasof

The Estate of Albert Barouch

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Simhat Torah Celebration and Dinner

Monday October 17, 2022 at 6pm

Join us for our Simhat Torah Celebration & Dinner Monday October 17 at 6pm. Erev Simhat Torah Services begin at 6pm including Minha, Arvith, and Hakafot followed by a traditional Greek Jewish Dinner. Your presence helps us continue our Romaniote traditions. You are also welcome to join us for additional Holiday Services on:

October 17 at 9:15am - Shemini Atzeret Morning Services

October 18 at 9:15am - Simhat Torah Morning Services

October 22 at 9:30am - Shabbat Bereshith Morning Services

מועדים לשמחה  Χαγκ Σαμεαχ  Moed Alegre

 

View our full holiday schedule here

Please RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org

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Sukkoth Holiday Services

October 10, 11, 15 at 9:15am

Join us for Sukkoth holiday services and enjoy the fall season! Help us fulfill the mitzvah of the holiday by having a traditional meal in our communal Sukkah. Your attendance helps make our celebrations so special and helps us perpetuate our Romaniote traditions. You are welcome to join us for Sukkoth Holiday services on:

Monday October 10 at 9:15am

Tuesday October 11 at 9:15am

Saturday October 15 at 9:30am. 

מועדים לשמחה  Χαγκ Σαμεαχ  Moed Alegre

 

View our full holiday schedule here

Please RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org

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High Holiday Services - Join Us

Fall 2022

 

Join us for services for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simhat Torah to celebrate the holiday season. Experience the unique Judeo-Greek traditions of Ioannina at Kehila Kedosha Janina, the last remaining Romaniote synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Our seats are free and our hearts are open. View our full holiday schedule here

תזכו לשנים רבות  Χρόνια Πολλά  Anyos Munchos

Please RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org

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Tisha B'Av Evening Services

August 6, 2022 at 9pm

Join us on Saturday evening August 6 at 9pm to commemorate Tisha B'Av and help us continue our Romaniote traditions. On the darkest day in the Jewish calendar, join us to mourn the destruction of our Temples in Jerusalem and the many other tragedies that befell our nation.

Please RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org

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Shavuoth Holiday Services

June 5, 6 2022

Join us at KKJ as we celebrate Shavuoth in the Romaniote tradition. At the same location on the Lower East Side for the past 95 years, KKJ is the last remaining Romaniote synagogue in the Western Hemisphere conducting services in the Judeo-Greek Romaniote Minhag (tradition). Your attendance helps us continue our Romaniote heritage. 

View the full Spring Holiday Schedule Here.

Please RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org

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Greek Jewish Festival

May 15, 2022 from 12pm-6pm

Join the Greek Jewish Festival as we celebrate the unique Romaniote and Sephardic heritage of Kehila Kedosha Janina! Experience a feast for the senses including authentic kosher Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries, traditional Greek dancing and live Greek and Sephardic music, an outdoor marketplace full of vendors, arts and educational activities for kids, and much more!

View the full performance schedule and learn more at www.GreekJewishFestival.com

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Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony

April 24, 2022 at 12pm

Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum invites you to our annual Yom HaShoah

Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony on Sunday April 24 at 12pm.

 

This year we feel fortunate to gather again in person. We invite you to join us to remember all who perished in the Holocaust, especially those we lost on the 78th anniversary of the deportations of the Jews from Ioannina, Arta, Preveza, Volos, Trikala, Larissa, Athens, Chalkis, Florina, Patras, and Kastoria.

 

Following the ceremony there will be a screening of the highly acclaimed film “In the Shadow of the Acropolis” by Laura Zelle (from the Akkos Family). The film is based on the story of Laura’s family - those who survived and those who were lost.

 

Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to Museum@kkjsm.org

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Community Purim Celebration

March 16, 2022 at 6:15pm

Join us at KKJ as we celebrate a Greek Jewish Purim! 

The evening starts on Wednesday March 16 at 6:15pm with Minha and Arvith services, followed by a Romaniote Megillah Reading. Afterwards we'll enjoy a traditional Greek Jewish dinner. Dress up as your favorite costumes and celebrate this festive Jewish holiday with your family and friends!

Please RSVP to amarcus@kkjsm.org 

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Oxi Day Commemoration

October 28, 2021 at 6pm

3 West Club – 3 West 51st St NYC

 

In Greece and in Greek Diaspora communities around the world, October 28th, Oxi Day, is celebrated as the date Greece stood up to Fascist aggression. It was celebrated around the world as the first open confrontation with Fascism. As Winston Churchill said, “From now on we won’t claim that the Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks.”

 

KKJ is honored to partner with the East Mediterranean Business Cultural Alliance’s Annual Oxi Day Commemoration. KKJ Museum Director Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos will be participating alongside a number of distinguished historians, artists, and dignitaries. She will be covering the role of Greek Jews who fought on the Albanian Front, highlighting those from Ioannina who fell in battle.

 

Attendance is free but registration is required. Register Here

Learn More at www.embca.com

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International Yom HaShoah Commemoration

Join us on Sunday April 11, 2021 at 3pm ET for a special international commemoration of the Sephardic & Romaniote victims of the Holocaust in Europe. This special program will be held online and will include live testimonies, speakers, a music performance, virtual candle lighting, and a memorial prayer in Hebrew, Ladino, Greek, and English in honor of all those who perished. Partner organizations include the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America, the Jewish Community of Athens, the Association of Friends of Greek Jewry, and other communities across the US and around the world. 

Watch Here

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Romaniote Memories: A Jewish Journey from Ioannina to Manhattan. Photographs by Vincent Giordano
Digital Exhibition and Opening Event

In 1999, photographer Vincent Giordano made an unplanned visit to Kehila Kedosha Janina. He knew little about Judaism or synagogues, and even less about the Romaniote Jewish tradition of which KKJ, built in 1927, is the lone North American representative. In this he was not alone. Romaniotes are among the least known of Jewish communities. Beginning in 2001 and guided by members of the KKJ community, Giordano documented the synagogue and its religious art of the congregation using film, video, and audio. In 2019 the Giordano family donated the archive of Vincent’s work to Queens College, where it is a major part of the Hellenic American Project and is preserved as part of the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library’s Special Collections and Archives. 

Join us on February 11 at 5pm for a special digital Opening Reception. Register Here

View the Full Exhibit Here

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The Synagogues of Greece - Online Class

Fall 2020

 

Join our Museum Director Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos as she leads us in our latest online class series. Learn more about the history, architecture, and culture of Jewish spaces in Greece. Classes held via Zoom on Monday nights at 8pm on November 23, November 30, and December 7. Watch the classes here.

Kabbalat Shabbat Services - Online

While we may have to stay apart to help one another, we can still welcome Shabbat as a community. Join us for digital Romaniote Kabbalat Shabbat services together. Check out Facebook page for exact times and streaming links: 

https://www.facebook.com/kkjnyc/

Community Purim Party and Megillah Reading

March 09, 2020

Join us at KKJ as we celebrate a Greek Jewish Purim!

The party starts on Monday March 9 at 6:00pm with Minha, Arvith, and Megillah Reading Services followed by a traditional Greek Jewish Dinner. Dress up as your favorite holiday characters and celebrate a great Jewish holiday with your family and friends!

Please RSVP to amarcus@kkjsm.org

Greeks and Jews in Egypt

February 16, 2020

Join us on Sunday February 16th at 2pm.

 

Kehila Kedosha Janina is proud to welcome Professor Alexander Kitroeff as Scholar in Residence for a lecture on the subject of Greeks and Jews in Egypt.

 

“From the early nineteenth century through to the 1960s, the Greeks formed the largest, most economically powerful, and geographically and socially diverse of all European communities in Egypt. Although they benefited from the privileges extended to foreigners and the control exercised by Britain, they claimed nonetheless to enjoy a special relationship with Egypt and the Egyptians, seeing themselves as contributors to the country’s modernization.”

 

Alexander Kitroeff is Professor of History at Haverford College. He is the author of numerous books, including most recently "The Greeks and the Making of Modern Egypt."

 

Prof. Alexander Kitroeff was born in Athens, but his paternal grandparents were born in Alexandria, his great grandfather having left Chios in the late 19th century in order to become involved in the cotton business. His family left Egypt and moved to Greece in the 1950s and 1960s when life in Egypt became difficult for the Greeks.

 

Professor Kitroeff received his doctorate from Oxford University.​

Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Museum@kkjsm.org

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