American Friends of the Jewish Museum of Greece

07/04/2026

As Americans mark 250 years since their nation’s independence, we celebrate a country whose promise of liberty and opportunity has inspired the world.

"Since its founding, the United States has been a place where Jews have been free not only to practice their faith, but to contribute fully to every aspect of American life. These are privileges that should never be taken for granted are under attack today," Ronald S. Lauder - World Jewish Congress President said.

"Just as America has long stood as a beacon for those seeking freedom and refuge around the world, for many in the Jewish community it has been both a safe haven and a home. But, now, Jewish life is being threatened—in New York and in countless towns and cities across America and beyond.

As we celebrate this historic anniversary, let us not only reflect on the past, but renew our commitment to a future which embraces the Judeo-Christian values that have long made America a land of freedom and opportunity.

May the next 250 years continue to uphold these enduring ideals, and ensure that Jewish life remains a vibrant and inseparable part of the American story for generations to come.”

07/04/2026

Venezuela’s Jewish community reacted immediately in the wake of the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Caracas last week. They turned a synagogue and Jewish community center into shelters for people who were displaced and couldn’t return to their damaged homes.

Venezuela's Jewish community numbers approximately 3,000–5,000 members today. The large campus of the Hebraica community center, built decades ago when Venezuela’s Jewish population numbered some 30,000, quickly became an emergency shelter space complete with mattresses, medical care, communal meals, and preparations for Shabbat.

“This tragedy has been very hard for the country, [but] we are united and in solidarity in the face of the tragedy,” the Confederation of Jewish Associations of Venezuela (CAIV) said.

07/02/2026

Αντικείμενο του μήνα

Ρωμανιώτικο φόρεμα από μεταξωτό ταφτά σε σκούρο ροζ και πράσινο χρώμα, κατά το πρότυπο της Αμαλίας. Φέρει χρυσο κέντημα με τεχνική πλαγιάς (couching) κατά μήκος του μπροστινού ανοίγματος του μπούστου, καθώς και στον όρθιο γιακά και στις χειρίδες (μανίκια), τέλη 19ου αιώνα, Ιωάννινα. © Εθνογραφική Συλλογή

Object of the month

Romaniote dark pink and green silk taffeta dress in the Amalia style, featuring gold embroidery in the couching technique along the front opening of the bodice, as well as on the standing collar and sleeves, late 19th century, Ioannina © Ethnographic Collection

07/02/2026

06/26/2026

https://web.facebook.com/share/1Az4x48V9o/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Romaniote Jews, or the Romaniotes, are a Greek-speaking ethnic Jewish community native to Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. They are one of the oldest Jewish communities in existence and the oldest Jewish community in Europe. Full story: https://tinyurl.com/bdbsk59v

06/13/2026

Join us by donating for the renovation of this Jewel of a Museum showcasing the history of the oldest diaspora community .

06/12/2026

Thu 11 Jun 2026 VICTOR KOEN EXHIBITION AT THE BENAKI MUSEUM The work Fermoza Fading by visual artist Victor Koen (HERE), presented as part of the Athens Photo Festival at the Benaki Museum from June 10, 2026, is a deeply personal tribute to both the strength and fragility of memory.Through nine silk...

06/12/2026

Thu 11 Jun 2026 BOOK PRESENTATION OF LINA ERRERA’S “SCENTS OF MEMORY” IN ATHENS On June 2, 2026, the Etz Chaim Synagogue in Athens hosted the book presentation for the English edition of Scents of Memory, authored by Lina Soustiel Errera, a revered Jewish educator of many years. Professor Dimi...

06/12/2026

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Jeff Mordos, lifelong congregant and former Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Kehila Kedosha Janina. Jeff passed on June 11th at the age of 68. He was born 11/17/1957 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and attended Kehila Kedosha Janina as a child, carrying his love of the Romaniote traditions into adulthood. Both his parents were born in Greece, his father, Elias, in Kyparissia in the Peloponnese, and his mother, Matilda Cohen, in Preveza. Jeff was instrumental in creating the Board of Trustees that now governs our beloved synagogue and museum. Jeff embraced his Romaniote heritage, spoke fluent Greek, had his Bar Mitzvah at KKJ, and gave invaluable support to our entire organization through is leadership and generosity. Jeff was Chairman of YAI’s Board of Trustees. His association with the organization, which began in 1998, has profoundly influenced his commitment to ensuring that people with developmental disabilities have the most fulfilling lives possible. He was also the Board of Premier HealthCare, YAI’s network of medical clinics. Jeff was the former Chief Operating Officer of BBDO North America and a one time movie star when one of his Pepsi ads became the subject of one of Netflix’s strange-but-true docuseries “Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?”. He is survived by his wife, Audrey, his children, Elise and Todd, his sister, Rebecca Mordos Butsikares, his brother-in-law, Antonio Butsikares, his nephew, James and his niece, Anitra. He will be missed by many.

06/09/2026

Ελλάδα - Οι Εβραίοι δεν θα μας «αντικαταστήσουν»: Η μεταφορά μιας παγκόσμιας συνωμοσιολογίας στον ελληνικό δημόσιο λόγο