In the historic city of Hania, Crete, a special interfaith memorial service is set to take place at the Etz Hayyim Synagogue. This event will honor the memory of 263 local Jews who perished during the Holocaust. The service will be attended by a delegation that includes Chief Rabbi Gabriel Negrin of Athens, Greek Orthodox and Catholic clergy, as well as ambassadors from Italy, Germany, and Israel.
One notable absence at the memorial service will be Kostas Papadopoulos, who is believed to be the last surviving link to a proud 2,300-year Jewish lineage in Crete. His story dates back to May 29, 1944, when he was just 2 years old. On that fateful day, German secret police rounded up 263 people across the island, all of whom were arrested for the crime of being Jewish and taken to Agia Prison.
Eleven days later, these individuals were forced onto a Greek merchant vessel, the Tanais, bound for Piraeus. However, tragedy struck when a British submarine, mistaking the Tanais for a German military vessel, torpedoed the ship near Santorini, resulting in the deaths of nearly everyone on board. Only a handful of Cretan Jews managed to escape the Germans by hiding with Christian families.
Papadopoulos, now a dealer and appraiser of fine Christian art, is believed to be the last surviving member of this group. His survival can be attributed to his Jewish mother’s decision to marry a Christian during the German occupation, which helped them evade detection by the Nazis. Despite the challenges he faced, Papadopoulos returned to Crete in the 1970s to be close to his friends and the community he grew up with.
Operating a first-class gallery in Hania, Papadopoulos faces the challenge of dealing with bargain hunters, many of whom are tourists from Germany. Despite these challenges, he remains dedicated to his work as an art and antiquities appraiser. His gallery, Daedalou Gallery, is adorned with Judaica items that hold sentimental value for him, including a menorah, Torah pointers, and other heirlooms.
The Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Hania, which was looted by the Nazis and fell into disrepair following the Holocaust, has been rebuilt with the help of a Muslim and Christian crew from Albania. The synagogue now serves as a place of prayer, recollection, and reconciliation, welcoming Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. The community at Etz Hayyim continues to grow, with Jewish tourists and new residents drawn to the beauty of Crete and the inclusive nature of the synagogue.
While Papadopoulos may not be able to attend the annual Tanais memorial service in Hania, his spirit will be present. His dedication to preserving Judaica items and his connection to his Jewish heritage serve as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the Jewish community in Crete.