Former Jewish Synagogue

The Former Jewish Synagogue is located very close to the harbour, in the Exarchia area, in the bar street. It is a building also known by the locals as Havra. At the entrance, there is a marble plaque which reads: Sacred Synagogue of the Israeli Community of Kos - 16th century - 1944 The Synagogue served the religious needs of the 140 members of the Jewish Community. After the Italian surrender in 1943 and the occupation of the Dodecanese islands by the Germans, the members of the Community of Kos were arrested, and all their property was confiscated. On July 22, 1944, the Jews of Kos and Rhodes were crammed into three cargo ships bound for the port of Piraeus. After their arrival in Piraeus, they were boarded on trains destined for Auschwitz. Inside the Former Jewish Synagogue, there is a silver plaque 'in memory of the Jewish Community who were expelled to Auschwitz by the Nazis on July 23, 1944 The same plaque lists all the names of the Jews by family who lost their lives at Auschwitz.