Successful Sydney play shines light on Jews from Rhodes during the Holocaust

·

An ensemble cast of some of Sydney’s most beloved Jewish performers brought to life Vic Alhadeff OAM’s poignant play ‘Torn Apart by War’ at Australia’s largest synagogue in Woollahra on Sunday, September 15.

The Emanuel Synagogue was filled with nearly 300 people, with around 25 per cent of Greek descent.

Inspired by true events, Torn Apart by War is a poignant play written by Mr Alhadeff – former CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, former editor of the Australian Jewish News and former Chair of Multicultural NSW – about his father’s agonising decision to leave the Greek island of Rhodes for Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) on the eve of the Holocaust.

The event commemorated 80 years since the destruction of the Jewish communities of Rhodes and the other Dodecanese islands, with a program presented by Emanuel Synagogue in conjunction with the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney and with the contribution of the Rhodes Jewish Museum.

On the day there was an opening blessing by Rabbi Sam Zwarenstein and a special address by Consul General of Greece in Sydney Yannis Mallikourtis wherein he noted: “The story of Rhodes is not just a Jewish story, it is also a Greek story, but not just that, it transcends borders, ultimately becoming a story of ecumenical relevance.”

The remainder of the program included the dramatised play-reading of Torn Apart by War directed by Dr Liz Hovey and performed by Geoff Sirmai, Joanna Weinberg, Tony Sloman and Hovey herself, followed by a Q&A with Mr Alhadeff and a special musical performance and a delicious spread of Greek pastries.

Musical performances included Chutney Unplugged (Ben Adler and Paul Khodor) accompanied the performance and Sarit Michael performed in Greek ‘Song of Songs’ (Άσμα ασμάτων) from Mikis Theodorakis’ Mauthausen Trilogy.

A moving performance of ‘Arvoles’ by Rabbi George Mordecaia was also shared on the night. This Ladina (Judeo-Spanish) piece was historically sung by the Greek Jews as they were marched into the gas chambers at Auschwitz.

Special guests in attendance included Mr Mallikourtis; Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Chryssa Prokopaki; First Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate of Greece in Sydney, Anastasia Christofilopoulou; and other Consul Generals, media representatives and leaders from the Greek and Jewish communities.

*All photos copyright: Benjamin Ryan.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Police release new image in 50-year hunt for Fitzroy rape suspect George Karakis

Victoria Police have renewed their hunt for 78-year-old George Karakis, a rape suspect who has evaded capture for 50 years.

Victim’s family condemns release of Snowtown killer James Vlassakis

The sister of one of the Snowtown murder victims has called the decision to grant parole to convicted killer James Vlassakis “an insult.”

John Karantzis vows to challenge Australian Federal Court ruling

John Karantzis will appeal against a judgment that fined him $1 million and banned him from managing Australian corporations for six years.

Hat-trick hero Feutz leads Sydney Olympic FC to finals push

Sydney Olympic have comprehensively smashed Manly United 5-1 at a rainy Cromer Park on Friday evening. Read more here.

Rookwood cemetery nears capacity as Orthodox burial space crisis looms

Greek Orthodox communities in Sydney face a looming burial space crisis, with most historic cemeteries expected to run out of capacity.

You May Also Like

Cyprus Community of SA new ‘Alfresco BBQ and Children’s Fair’ event hailed a success

More than 300 people attended this year’s ‘Alfresco BBQ and Children’s Fair’ event in lieu of SA’s annual Cyprus Community Festival.

United Nations launches #HappinessForAllTogether campaign for 2020 International Day of Happiness

As we bind together in this time of crisis, it is important that people celebrate International Day of Happiness on March 20th, which the United Nations NWO (UNNWO) have campaigned as #HappinessForAllTogether.

Writers and bookshops encouraged to partake in the Greek Book Fair 2022

The Greek Community of Melbourne, the Greek-Australian Cultural League, and the Hellenic Writers’ Association of Australia, are hosting the Greek Book Fair 2022.