Kehila Kedosha Janina (Holy Community of Janina) is a synagogue on 280 Broome Street between

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and Eldridge Streets in the Lower East Side neighborhood of

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. It was built in 1925-27 and was designed by Sydney Daub, p. 123 and is now the only Romaniote rite synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Romaniote traditions are separate from those of both Sephardic and Ashkenazi Judaism, deriving their lineage in the Eastern Mediterranean for nearly 2000 years, long before the Spanish Inquisition. The building was added to the

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on November 30, 1999, and was designated a New York City landmark on May 11, 2004."Kehila Kedosha Janina Designation Report"

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(May 11, 2004) It underwent a major restoration in 2006 by architect Leonard Colchamiro, a descendant of one of the community's original founders.

History

Kehila Kedosha Janina holds the distinction of being the only Romaniote synagogue in the

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. The congregation was founded in 1906 by Greek Jewish immigrants from Ioannina, but the synagogue itself was not erected until 1927. The years from then until the

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were a time of prosperity for the Romaniote community in the Lower East Side: there were three rabbis in the synagogue, and on the High Holidays, there was often only standing room for synagogue services. After the Second World War, many congregants moved to other boroughs and parts of Manhattan, including

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, the

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, and

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, though these communities are no longer active. Although the community has steadily dwindled since its pre-war heyday, services are still held on shabbat and

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. While it maintains a mailing list of 5,000 persons, it often has difficulty meeting the '' minyan'' for shabbat

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. Guided tours are offered each Sunday to visitors and by special appointment. The Janina

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has a burial plot at

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where there is a memorial to the Jews of Ioannina murdered in the

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Building layout

Kehila Kedosha Janina is somewhat unusual for a Romaniote synagogue in that it runs north south with the Ehal on the north side (Romaniote synagogues typically run east to west), the bimah is in the center of the main sanctuary (most Romaniote synagogues place the bimah on the west wall), and the internal stairway for the women's balcony. It is typical in the fact that men and women sit separately (a feature of all

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synagogues). The second floor women's gallery contains a museum with artifacts, exhibits, and Judaica on Jewish life in Greece and the history of Greek Jews as well as a gift shop. Exhibited items are housed in cases along the walls on either side behind the seats, as well as in the area immediately in front of the staircase.Current Exhibits
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In popular culture

A documentary film about the synagogue and community, ''The Last Greeks on Broome Street'', was produced in the early 2000s. It is directed, written and narrated by Ed Askinazi, whose great-grandparents were among the congregation's founders.

References

Notes

External links

*
Kehila Kedosha Janina
Modiya (Jews/Media/Religion)
Kehila Kedosha Janina: The Last Greek Synagogue
Documentary produced b
The City Concealed
{{National Register of Historic Places in New York, state=collapsed Greek-American culture in New York City Greek-Jewish culture in the United States Synagogues in Manhattan New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan Properties of religious function on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan Lower East Side Jewish organizations established in 1906 Synagogues completed in 1927 Romaniote synagogues Orthodox synagogues in New York City 1906 establishments in New York City Synagogues on the National Register of Historic Places in New York City Jewish museums in New York City

History

Building layout

In popular culture

See also

References

External links