Check out more about KKJ, our history, culture, and community.
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Learn more about our community at Kehila Kedosha Janina (the Holy Community of Janina) and discover the nearly 2,300 year old history of the Romaniote Jews of Greece.
Meet our communal leadership and read our monthly newsletters. Explore our museum and join us at our unique Greek Jewish events. Explore our historic building erected in 1927 and restored to its original conditions. We are proud to be listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places and a designated New York City Landmark since 2004.
About Us
Kehila Kedosha Janina, at the same location on the Lower East Side for the past 98 years, is the last remaining Romaniote synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Our active community still conducts weekly services in the traditional Romaniote liturgy. ​
Join us for our weekly Shabbat and Jewish holiday services. Use our state-of-the-art facility to host a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, family reunion, or other events.
Religious Services
Learn more about Greek Jewry and Jewish Life on the Lower East Side. Our museum is open to the public every Sunday from 11am-4pm as well as by appointment and offers free guided tours. Visitors are strongly encouraged to email museum@kkjsm.org to let us know if you plan to visit.
The museum serves as a repository for Greek Jewish history and culture. It also hosts a variety of events throughout the year including lectures, book signings, movie screenings, and concerts.
Museum and Tours
News & Announcements
Torah and Taverna Nights
January 29 at 8pm​
Join us on Wednesday January 29 at 8pm for the launch of our new monthly evening program Torah & Taverna Nights. Each month will feature guest Jewish educators and musicians and offer an engaging evening of insights, live music, delicious appetizers, and more. Please RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org
Jewish Comics & Sephardic Stories​
March 2 at 1pm
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Join comic book creators and Jewish educators Arnon Z. Shorr & Joshua M. Edelglass for a fun multimedia presentation that explores how they created the graphic novel José and the Pirate Captain Toledano. The program includes a short film screening, an overview of the real history of Jewish pirates, and how they brought these Sephardic characters to life. Signed books will be available for sale and refreshments will be served. Open to all ages. RSVP to Amarcus@kkjsm.org
Romaniote American Oral History Project
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What does it mean to be a Romaniote Jew in the US in the 21st Century?
After more than 100 years in America, Kehila Kedosha Janina is excited to launch this new research project to document our community today, exploring questions of identity, culture, preservation, & adaptation. We want to hear from you! Submit testimonies, family stories, recipes, photographs, traditions, songs, memories, & more. Contact Theo Canter at Theo@kkjsm.org to learn more and contribute your story.
Romaniote Bar & Bat Mitzvah Classes
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Learn how to read Torah and Haftarah in our Romaniote rite, prepare a speech analyzing the weekly Torah portion, and recite Shabbat prayers in our beautiful Romaniote melodies. Classes are free and led by Community Engagement Fellow Theo Canter. Email Theo@kkjsm.org to learn more.
Our Story
Connect with Us
Have a question? Want to learn more about our history? Interested in joining our community?
Reach Out!
TEL:
(212)-431-1619
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