Our Mazal Bueno: A Rhodesli family keepsake then and now
- Aron Hasson
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
It was one of those Sunday afternoons when my daughter Rachelle and grandkids came to visit. This time, as a precaution against the devastating wildfires near their area, they brought a bag full of photo albums, kids' artwork, and small boxes filled with heirlooms for safekeeping at my home. Like me, Rachelle has been the custodian of family treasures,
including vintage Corningware used to bake many Sephardic dishes, plates and silverware, jewelry, embroideries, and clothing still used and appreciated today.
As a collector, I was happy to keep similar things; after all, my home has become a mini museum—a refuge of historical items. In addition to the antiques passed down to me by my parents and grandparents, I've also archived donated artifacts from Rhodeslis, many of which have already been transferred to the Jewish Museum of Rhodes for heritage preservation which has been a lifelong passion.
As Rachelle placed the items on the table, I noticed a handwritten note attached to a small box: "From Bis Granny - Papu Elie Soriano's mom." I explained, "Bis Granny... that's your great-grandmother, Regina (Reina) Algranti. Your mom, Rina, was named after her. Regina's family was originally from Izmir but later moved to Rhodes, where she married Jacob Soriano." Inside the box was a beautiful handmade Mazal Bueno adorned with a Hamsa, Turkish coins, and a Shaddai pendant. I smiled at the familiar blue beaded tassel, a design I had seen in several Rhodesli families who kept these in their homes.
Often, the Mazal Bueno was combined with other protective objects, such as an oju (eye), a wolf's tooth or bone, a horseshoe, dukado (gold coins), gold pendants of a Hamsa, Shaddai, or a Star of David, and a bulsika (a small sack) containing garlic or salt for protection— similar to the one I received from my grandmother, Sepora Amato Benoun.
"This Mazal Bueno is a great memento, most likely used when your Papu Elie was born. And when you and Daniel were infants, we also placed blue beads near your bed," I remembered. Rachelle added, "Mom and I did the same with my kids. We placed a safety pin with an oju on the crib's bed skirt and car seat."
As the Mazal Bueno custom continues in my family, it's no surprise that this tradition is quite prevalent, not just among the Rhodeslis. After all, "Mazal Bueno" means "Good Luck" were amulets used by the Sephardim who settled within the Ottoman Empire. These protective objects were crafted using blue beads and knots believed to bring good fortune and ward off negativity from the "mal oju" (evil eye). They were commonly hung in homes, placed in a baby's crib, sewn or pinned onto clothing, or worn as necklaces or bracelets (bunjukas mavis), as seen in old family portraits.
Last July, during the 80th Commemoration of the Jewish Communities of Rhodes and Kos, 18 members of my family had a reunion there. We attended the meaningful events organized by the Jewish Community of Rhodes, which many descendants participated in. We explored La Juderia, along Kay Ancha with the seahorse fountain next to the Jewish Martyrs Square (now known as Pl. Evreon Martiron). We strolled through the streets filled with sheshikus, especially El Datilar (now Perikleos Street), where our families once lived, and wandered around Ippokratous Square near its fountain. The square was bustling with tourists, and you can imagine that before WWII, this area was a thriving Jewish business district known as Tcharshi Kemado (in Turkish) and Piazza del Fuoco (in Italian).
Near the square, on the steps of the Castellania, previously known as the Dante Alighieri Library, Rachelle was searching for an oju (also called "mati" or "nazarlik") ring. We decided to visit Lapis Jewelry, located at Ippokratous Square #16, owned by a friendly gentleman named Ioannis Kouzoukakis, who has been running the store with his wife for many years. I mentioned to Ioannis that during the Italian occupation, a Jewish businessman named Hezkia Codron used to own the shop and sell jewelry much like he does.
Remarkably, it's still a jewelry shop to this day. Inside, I spotted a black-and-white photo of the business from the 1930s and couldn't help but think of the numerous jewelry items—like the Mazal Bueno, kuchareras, watches, and more—that the Codron shop had sold to families on the island.
Eventually, Rachelle found an "oju" ring from their collection. We bid farewell to Ioannis and his wife, hoping that this little souvenir of Mazal Bueno ("May you have good fortune") from Rhodes would bring luck and protection to all of us, just as our ancestors had brought these amulets to the places they traveled and lived throughout their lives.
As I reflect on the Mazal Bueno, whether it's a cherished heirloom or a newly acquired piece, these nostalgic and protective keepsakes hold fascinating stories that we share with our children and grandchildren. They are part of the rich Sephardic folk traditions that carry significant cultural and historical meaning for the Jews of Rhodes—traditions that we, as their descendants, will continue to appreciate for years to come.