Greece

Sub-Series — Multiple Containers

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains prints and negatives documenting the architecture and community of the Kehal Kadosh Yashan synagogue in Ioannina, Greece. It includes pictures of synagogue interiors and exteriors as well as events, including Rosh Hashanah services in September 2006. This sub-series also contains photographs of Greek street scenes and other destinations visited during Giordano's travels in the country.

Dates

circa 1999-2010

Access

Appointments to examine materials must be made in advance. Please email QC.archives@qc.cuny.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment. A portion of the collection is also available on JSTOR Open Community Collections https://www.jstor.org/site/queenscollegearchives/vincentgiordano and in the digital exhibition Romaniote Memories, a Jewish Journey from Ioannina, Greece to Manhattan https://scalar.usc.edu/works/romaniote-memories/index.

Biographical / Historical

The Kahal Kadosh Yashan Synagogue in Ioannina, Greece was built in 1829 and subsequently renovated in 1881 and 1987. It is built in the Romaniote style, with the ehal (ark) on the eastern wall and the bimah (reader's platform) on the western wall, though the design also shows some Venetian and local influences. The building was saved from destruction during the German occupation by then-mayor Demetrios Vlachides, who is honored with a plaque inside the synagogue. There are also plaques honoring Ioannina Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.

Extent

From the Collection: 8 Linear Feet (One record carton, two 5" x 8" boxes, five 8" x 10" boxes, three 10" x 13" boxes, one 10.5" x 12" box, and five 12" x 17.5" boxes.)