The Covo family of Salonica, Rabbis and Notables

Moshe Faraggi

Introduction

As normally happens with genealogical research it starts with a story your parents or even better (when you had the chance) your grandparents told you when you were young and not at that time interested in your genealogy. However, as it always happens you remember the story and when you are, at a certain age, interested in genealogical research the story comes back as a starting point.

Before telling my grandmother story let me characterize this great woman. She was born as Esther Covo to Jacob and Flor (nee Frances) Covo in 1883 in Monastir, the Ottoman Empire (now Bitola, Macedonia). She was one of the most intelligent woman I ever met and although she never attended school (there was no girl school in Monastir at that time) she could read and write in Judeo-Espagniol (I prefer this term and not Ladino which according to some expert the term Ladino means an inferior language), she new many languages including Judeo-Espagniol, Serb, Turkish, Greek, French and when she immigrated to Palestine (and with my help) she learned Hebrew. She was the master of our home (living together, my grandparents, parents my sister and me) and everybody obeyed her. As it frequently happens in Sephardic family we grandchildren had little contact with our grandfather, the patriarch of our family. However, we were very close to our grandmother.

Here is the story of my grandmother some fifty years ago about her family. In about 1860 the famous Covo family of Salonica (Famous not only as Rabbis but also as wealthy family) decided to send two members of the family to Monastir. These were Isaac and Jacob Covo. Monastir as part of the Macedonia province was under the rabbinical jurisdiction of Salonica (1). Isaac was sent as a representative of the family business and Jacob as a Rabbinical Judge. Jacob, my great grandfather, married Flor Frances (another famous family of Salonica connected to the Covos in other marriages) and they had three children Joseph, Rachel and Esther (my grandmother). Joseph, according to my grandmother, was a very brilliant man and the family had great expectations from his. Unfortunately he died very young and had no descendents. His father died soon after. However, Flor who was living with my grandmother died very old in 1934 in Monastir. Rachel married a Russo and immigrated to the US. My grandmother married Moise Faraggi (my grandfather). From the Alliance Israelite Universelle (AIU) bulletin I know that both Isaac and Jacob were members of the AIU in Monastir (as many others Covos especially in Salonica) and knew my great grandfather Elia Raphael Faraggi (2).

What is most frustrating and disturbing is the mediocre chapter devoted in the Jewish Encyclopedia to this family of Salonica of so many prominent personalities (Chief Rabbis, Rabbis, Rabbinical Judges and wealthy persons). Compare it to the long article describing Ridbaz an Ashkenazi Rabbi (3). To the different authors of the article on the Covos I could add that Salonica was never part of Turkey, it was part of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey was one of many countries of the Ottoman Empire which stopped to exist after WWI (1914-1918). Salonica was part of the Ottoman Empire (till 1912) and then became part of Greece. It is this mediocre article on the Covo family in the Jewish Encyclopedia that initiated this study. Recently Mark Mazower published the Book “Salonica City of Ghosts” (4). Here again, the author seems to ignore the three hundred years of spiritual and religious contributions of the Covo Family in Salonica.

The main sources of this study are based on French literature (J. Nehama) and Hebrew literature (I.S. Emmanuel and M. Molho). The Index of J. Nehama seven volumes book compiled by Mathilde Tagger was of immense help.

The origin of the name Covo.

The origin of the Covo family is not entirely clear; Joseph Covo gives details of all possible origins from different sources and concludes that two origins are possible; Spanish and Italian (5). Joseph Nehama, the well known Salonican historian and most probably the most reliable, (6) wrote “The family is of Spanish origin and not Italian as stated by many following the similarity of the name to Covo a small town in Lombardy, Italy. The name Cobo is purely Spanish” (pronounced in Spanish as Covo). The Jewish Encyclopedia affirms that the origin of the family is Italy.

I have an official document of the French Consulate in Salonica dated December 31, 1780 where it is stated that Bekhor Samuel Covo(s), the Chief Rabbi of Salonica is under the protection of the French consulate (Barataire). This is Abraham Samuel (Bechor, Raphael Haim) Covo the Chief Rabbis who died in December 30, 1792. In fact, since the mid 18 century till the French revolution the consuls of the western powers, including France and England are interested in Jewish community of Salonica that they consider as useful commercial agents. The community Chief Rabbis was especially sollictated by the consulate since it brings with it a prestige to the consul. Being protected by a foreign consulate he is considered as a “Franco”. The term “Francos” was normally given to Italian community of Salonica but also to those personalities protected by foreign consulates. This could be the source of the error that made many to consider the Covos as originating from Italy. The evidence that the Covos were of Italian origin given by the Jewish Encyclopedia is “the source of the name is the city of Covo near Milan”. Joseph Covo adds that “since the Covo family prayed in the Shalom synagogue where Italian Jews prayed, there is a strong evidence for believing that the family originated from Italy” (5). However Michael Molho in his article “Kehilot” (synagogues) in Salonica writes “The Shalom synagogue was established in the first half of the 16th century by emigrants that came from different countries of western Europe between them many Conversos” (7). Molho gives the name of the families who belonged to the Synagogue and among them the Covos. However, based on my studies on the Faraggi and Sidis families I can conclude that the Farache and Sidis families who belonged to the Shalom synagogue were not of Italian origin since they came from Spain. To conclude, it seems that the origin of the Covo family is most probably Spain and not Italy.

The History of the Covo Family of Salonica.

The Covo family had given to the Jewish community of Salonica for three hundreds years an interrupted chain of great personalities. In the last eight generations (from before1637 to 1929) the family counts six chief Rabbis, more than any other family of Salonica; Eliahu Yehuda (d. 1688), Yehuda Eliahu (d. 1719), Joseph Shemaya (d. 1727), Abraham Samuel (d. 1792), Asher Jacob (d. 1874) and Jacob Hanania (d. 1907) who was the last local spiritual chief.

Before describing the personalities of the Covo family, let me describe the procedure of choosing the chief Rabbis is Salonica as given by I.S. Emmanuel (8) .

The electors composed of the Rabbis and Notable chooses three Rabbis (the triumvirate) to serve as what was called “Harav Hacollel” (community Rabbi). When one of them died he was not replaced and the Rabbis were still called “Harav Hacollel”. When a second died the third Rabbi continue to act alone as a chief rabbi.

The first information that we have on the Covo family is from a tombstone of the notable and philantropist Abraham Covo who died in Salonica in January 27, 1533 (9).

One of the most tragic events that concern the Jewish community of Salonica and the Covo family happened in 1637 (10). At that period the Jewish community became poorer because of the 1620 and 1623 fires. As a result, the wealthy families are leaving Salonica and the economic situation was extremely bad. The community had difficulties to pay the taxes to the Sultan. The taxes they paid were in textiles (sheets) that were used by the military to fabricate their uniforms. It is the community that had to pay the taxes through the local representative of the Sultan, the “the Defterdar” (the tax collector), who wants also his share. The taxes were judged paid when the merchandise arrived to Constantinople. The Sultan at that period is Murad IV (1612-1640) who became Sultan at the age of 11, in 1623. Murad was an uncultivated, strong-willed, dark-eyed giant, immensely cruel but at same time intelligent and a very able military commander. Through many executions (estimated; from 25,000 to 100,000) he established Royal authority (1627) and is known as one of the more able Sultans of Turkey. Very soon he discovered the lamentable economic situation of his Empire and takes it under his personal control starting with the confiscation of all the jewelry of the Constantinople Christian and Jewish communities and taxes the consulates in Constantinople. In Salonica the community cannot deliver the exact quantity of sheets and pay the increasing taxes and the quality of the sheets is deteriorating. Soon the local tax collector is called to Constantinople accused by the Sultan of not fulfilling his job and executed. The army judged the sheets of low quality and ordered Salonica Jews to send a delegation to the capital. It is there that the problems will be studied. A six member delegation headed by Rabbi Yehuda Covo is appointed (February 20, 1627) with the full authority (economic and otherwise) to negotiate with the Ottoman authorities. The delegation had with them the sum of 20,000 gold francs (estimated in 1937 value) and a great portion of good sheets. The delegation arrived in Constantinople; Yehuda Covo is accompanied by his son Elie aged 17. However, the military judged (inspection made on Saturday without the presences of the delegation)the sheets of inferior quality and demanded the sum of 30,000 gold francs to cover the taxes. But Yehuda Covo is fighting back, he wants to succeed. But his efforts are in vain, everybody in the government knew that the sheets case is lost. The other members of the delegation try to persuade Yehuda Covo to yield and pay what the authorities demanded. But he continued to argue with the authorities and became a nuisance and finally accused of corruption. He is condemned to death and on September 5, 1637 executed and buried. And in the words of Joseph Nehama: “This was the end of a martyr and hero whose memory should stay forever in the annals of the Jewish communities of the former Ottoman Empire”.

The first Covo elected chief Rabbi of the community of Salonica was Eliahu Yehuda Covo who was born in CA 1620 to Rabbi Yehuda Covo that went to Constantinople in 1637 (10). His religious studies start in his father Yeshiva in Salonica. He seized the occasion to visit the Sultan’s capital and accompanied his father to Constantinople. After his father execution he refused to go back to Salonica and stayed in the capital with the aid of the Jewish community in Constantinople. The young Eliahu, talented and energetic, studied in its best Yeshivas and became one of their Rabbis. In 1670 he came back to Salonica and was appointed chief rabbinical judge. He was teaching in a Yeshiva and three of his famous students were; his son Rabbi Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Salomon Amatillo, his nephew Joseph (son of his brother Shemaya) Rabbi Samuel Isaac Modigliano and Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Ashkenazi known as “Chacham Zvi”. In 1677 married the daughter of Chief Rabbi Moshe Haim Sabetai. In 1678 after the death of Rabbi Hisdaye Hacohen Perahia he was nominated the community Rabbi (11). Rabbi Eliahu is known as the leader of the fight against the Shabetai Cvi messianic movement and in 1683 he banned Shabetai Zvi followers. In 1685 after the death of his father in law he appointed Chief Rabbi. Probably because of the 1688 plague he was very ill during the last four month of his life. Two of his sons died in September 1688 because of that plague. His son Rabbi Yehuda Eliahu Covo survived. He had a daughter that married Rabbi Yoshua Handaly. Rabbi Eliahu Yehuda Covo was known as a leading Rabbi in the Ottoman Empire. Only small parts of his work were published. His grandsons Rabbi Abraham and Rabbi Yehuda Handaly published part of his work (43 responsa) and called it “Adereth Eliahu” (The Mantle of Elijah). These together with responsa by Yoshua Handali, were printed in Constantinople in 1739 by his grandchildren Yehuda and Elie Handali under the title “Shene Me’orot-ha-Gedolim” (the two great lights).

According to Nehama the second Covo elected Rabbi of the community (the triumvirate) of Salonica was Yehuda son of Eliahu who died in September 23, 1719 (12). However, Nehama does not give any details about him probably because he was in office for a short time and died young (~ 40 years old).

The third Covo elected Rabbi of the community was Joseph son of Shemaya Covo (nephew of Eliahu Covo and cousin of Yehuda Covo). His father died when he was very young. He was the student of relative Chief Rabbi Eliahu Covo and of Nathan of Gaza. The triumvirate elected in 1703 is composed of Salomon Amarillo, Joseph Covo and Yehuda Covo are all family related since Salomon Amarillo is the uncle of Joseph Covo (13). To consolidate their decision in difficult cases the triumvirates summons the synagogue Rabbis and notables discuss with the issue and make them to signing the decision. Joseph Covo was the author of many publications. His books were partly published and partly lost. The book “Sermons and Eulogy” was the property of his son Rabbi Yehuda Covo. The book “Questions and Answers” was the property of his son in law Moshe Koinka. His grandson the Notable Samuel Covo published few answers. Thirty years later his grandson son, the chief Rabbi Raphael Haim Abraham Covo published in 1784 “Questions and Answers” and called the book “Gvaot Olam” (the world’s Hills). The answers were sent to The Jewish communities of Tricalla, Monastir, Janina, Larissa and more. He had three children Chemaya, Abraham and Yehuda and one daughter who married the Natable Moshe Koinka. His grandson Rabbi Joseph son of Rabbi Shemaya died in a plague after 1727. Rabbi Joseph Covo was eulogized by Rabbi Isaac Frances.

The fourth Covo elected Rabbi of the community was Abraham the elder son (bechor) of the notable and wealthy Samuel Covo and great grandson of the chief Rabbi Joseph Shemaya Covo. Before 1748 he was twice very ill and the names Haim and Raphael were added as first names. He started as a rabbinical judge and in 1776 he was elected as Rabbi of the community and in 1790 he was the chief Rabbi (14). Still young he published the book “Mateh Asher” (Asher’s Baton) of his father in law Rabbi Asher Emmanuel Shalem and in 1784 he published the book “Gvaot Olam” (The world Hills) of his great grandfather Rabbi Joseph Covo. He was the author of the book “Haye Abraham” (Abraham’s life), published in Salonica in 1804. He died in July 30, 1972 during the 1792 plague. In his eulogy Rabbi Abraham Reuben wrote: “The great chief Rabbi Abraham Bechor had carried his position on his shoulders, Judge of his people, he was good to the Jewish community, teaching the poor Yeshiva students, encouraged and supported them”.

Five years after the death of the chief Rabbi Abraham Covo (1792) Asher Jacob, his grandson was born (1797). Named Asher (after the name of his father’s brother, the name Raphael was added later when he was ill). Asher Jacob was in the 19 century the most famous Rabbi of Salonica (15). He began his studies with his father Rabbi Jacob and later with his uncle Rabbi Isaac Barzilaye. In 1828 he already wrote juridical Torah verdict. In 1835, and may be even earlier, he was between the Rabbinical juridical system of Salonica. In 1849 he was appointed chief Rabbi of the community and with Rabbi Hanania Saporta and Rabbi David Joseph the formed the triumvirate. After the death of Rabbi Saporta (1855) and that of Rabbi Joseph (1867) he was the only Chief Rabbi of Salonica till his death. Rabbi Asher Covo acquired the knowledge of the Talmudic Science and Hebrew literature. Rabbi Asher was a rich person and declined salary of his Torah knowledge. He was not paid not as a rabbinical judge or chief Rabbi and served unpaid his community. This gave him an economic independence. Of clear spirit, correct in his judgments and hostile to its complications. He is a rare case who got an official consecration for by the Ottoman Sultan of his position as chief Rabbi. As a strong person his was always with colleague Rabbis and Notables. To establish his authority he does not hesitate to call the help of the Ottoman local government. However, he allows himself to abrogate many of the Ottoman rules. Thus he abrogated the interdiction of the Jews to export textile without the reaction of the Ottoman authority. In 1864, he organized a committee for the “Talmud Torah” school under the presidency of his son in law, the next chief Rabbi, Rabbi Jacob Covo. He himself prepared and published a small book, in Judeo-Espagniol, as a reading book for the “Talmud Torah” students. Many modern schools and especially the Alliance Israelite Universelle (AIU) were founded during his Rabbinate. Rabbi Asher Covo was not against them. In 1865 he wrote to Adolph Cremieux (the president of the AIU in Paris) “great benefit and great value will come from this house (school) to the children of Israel, although our holy language diminished”. Some of the Rabbis of Salonica were correctly worried, as the German Rabbis in the Mendelssohn period, that the French culture will have a bad influence on the AIU pupils, but they did not opposed seriously to the modern schools. Narcis Leven (the AIU secretary in Paris) recognized that Rabbi Asher and the rest of Salonica Rabbis understood the benefit of the foundation of the AIU schools. He wrote in his book “Fifty Years of the Alliance Israelite Universelle”: “unlike other Rabbis of the eastern Jewish communities who opposed the AIU, it never happened in Salonica” (16). In a letter to N. Leven Dr. Alatini wrote: “Rabbi Asher Covo was a tolerant Rabbi and peace lover. But this is not his only good character, but part of a great and colorful figure in the history of Rabbis of Salonica”. I.S. Emmanuel wrote “Rabbi Asher Jacob Covo, Rabbi Jacob Covo, Rabbi Haim Covo, son of Rabbi Asher Jacob, and Rabbi Jacoh Hanania Covo supported the foundation of the AIU school in Salonica” (17). Rabbi Asher Covo together with Dr. Moshe Alatini established also the “Talmud Torah” schools. They also founded the “Etz Hahayim” a conservative society that opposed liberal ideas and intellectual emancipation. But, It was also a charity fund that for the next two generations took care of poor sick people and gave money to needy families. This society played an important role in the destiny of the Jewish community. In 1876 this charity also founded a printing house. One of the AIU supporters wrote to Paris that these “reactionary persons” found in 1874 the “ Etz Hahaim” society to fight the reformers, the enlightened and the AIU and pounded a publishing house, to compete, with the publishing house of Saadi Halevy. But between these “reactionary persons” were, the chief Rabbi Asher Covo, his son Haimoggo and his son in law Rabbi Yaacobaggi Covo were supporting the AIU school. Rabbi Asher Covo also founded a new Yeshiva “Lishkat Hagazit”. In 1859 the Sultan Magid visited Salonica, he received Rabbi Covo and donated 26,600 “gurush” to the community and 25,000 “gurush” to the “Talmud Torah” schools. He also decorated Rabbi Covo with the “Migidiyi” medal. Rabbi Asher was known as a great Rabbi in all the Ottoman Empire and even in Italy. His book “Shaar Asher” (Asher’s gate), “Questions and Answers” and sermons was published in two volumes by his son Haim (1876-1879). Many questions were sent to his from many countries and towns (Italy, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Eretz Yisrael). His first wife died in 02/12/1873 and the second 1876. He had two daughters: Lea the wife of the notable Moshe Abraham Nahmias and Miriam the wife of his brother son Rabbi Jacob Hanania and a son Rabbi Haim (the next chief Rabbi). He died in December 27, 1874 at the age of 77 and was considered by the Jewish community of Salonica as a public loss. His burial ceremony was honored by the local Pasha and other high members of the local Ottoman authorities, Salonica, the Orthodox Metropolite surrounded by his by his Ministers and Greek Notables and by all the Jewish population of Salonica. The mourners insisted especially on his great modesty. His death was a great lose to Salonica. On him one can say “At the death of Rabbi Asher the Torah pride in Salonica was lost. followed by all the Jewish community,.

The sixth and last Covo who was Chief Rabbi of Salonica was Rabbi Asher Covo nephew and son in law, Rabbi Jacob (Yaacobaggi) Hanania Covo born in 1825 (18). Orphan at the age of three, he grew in his uncle house and acquired a vast knowledge in the communal politics and public commandment experience. Like his uncle he was a wealthy person which gave him an economic independence. From 1874 to 1887 he was the president of the “Etz Hahaim” conservative society. He wanted to improve the declining “Talmud Torah” schools that were in competition with the Alliance Israelite Universelle (AIU) School which was opened in 1873. He cannot oppose the liberal transformation made by the school but was afraid of its new tendencies and the radical changes. But being an excellent diplomat he gave the impression of he approving the AIU school and in 1878 in a speech before the “etz Hahaim” society he praised the AIU for their good deeds”. Intelligent, active and excellent organizer he realized that the great problem of the “Talmud Torah” schools was its administration disorder and financial crisis. He nominated a reorganization commission and with its aid he managed to give to the schools its financial independence. In 1887 he was elected Rabbi of the community (the triumvirate) and in 1888 he puts an end to the triumvirate system that lasted two centuries and inaugurates the system of one chief Rabbi. He founded rabbinical seminary “Beth Joseph” considered the best seminary in Salonica. As the only Rabbi that spoke currently Turkish he served as a lawyer in the Turkish court which gave him a great prestige with the Ottoman authorities. Many new and important establishments were founded during his Rabbinate: After the 1890 fire hundreds of families lost their apartments, to his request two new residential neighborhoods were built: “Baron Hirsch” and “Kalamariya”, in 1893 helped in the foundation of the “Kayana” synagogue and Talmud Torah, founded a charity that donated funds to youngsters who did not want to serve in the Turkish army. To his request the Salonica Jewish committee bought a house where the chief Rabbinate was housed (burned in the 1917 fire). His economic ability made him to invest with the exceeding community funds in terrains and houses that formed a reserve of funds that will help the community in its bad days (fires, the distraction of the Turkish market). Rabbi Jacob Covo wrote the book “Kohav Miyaacov” (A star from Jacob) published by his son Hanania in 1915. He was the last influential Rabbi in Salonica in a period where the famous town was in its peak of glory and success. The Ottoman government honored him with four medals and the Kayemakas Title.. His daughters: Julia (married to senior Haimoggo Covo, Sarah, married to Rabbi Asher Simha, and Flor, married to Samuel ben Sussan (died in 1898). His son: Hanania was also part of the rabbinate system. He was 82 when he died (April 11, 1907) and many people participated in his funeral. He was eulogized in Constantinople, Izmir, and Jerusalem and in other towns of the Ottoman Empire.

References

(1) Avram Galante “Histoire des Juifs de Turquie”, Vol. VI, Isis, Istanbul Turkey, 151

(2) Bulletin of the Alliance Israelite Universelle (e.g. BAIU), Second semester 1881 to first semester 1882, 1882, pp. 107

(3) Jewish Encyclopedia in JewishEncyclopedia.com, pp 323.

(4) Mark Mazower, “Salonica City of Ghosts” HarperCollins, London UK, 2004

(5) Joseph Covo in; http://www.geocities.com/covofamily/

(6) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire des Israelites de Salonique” The Jewish community of Salonica, Salonica 1978, Volume VI, pp. 444. (in French)

(7) Michael Molho, “The “Kehilot” (Synagogues) in Salonica” in: Salonica: A town and mother of Israel, published by: The Research Institute of the Jewish community of Salonica, Tel Aviv, Israel, 1977, pp. 174-183 (In Hebrew).

(8) Isaac S. Emmanuel “Toldot yehudeye Saloniki” (The history of the Jewish community of Salonica), in “Zihron Saloniki” volume I, Recanati ed., Tel Aviv Israel, pp. 107 (in Hebrew).

(9) Isaac S Emmanuel “Precious Stones of the Jews in Salonica”, Ben-Zvi Institute, Jerusalem Isarael, 1968, Tomb No. 101 (in Hebrew).

(10) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire des Israelites de Salonique” The Jewish community of Salonica, Salonica 1959, Vol. V, pp. 71-83 (in French).

(11) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire…..” Vol. VI, pp. 58.

(12) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire…..” Vol. VI, pp. 104.

(13) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire…..” Vol. VI, pp. 97.

(14) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire…..” Vol. VI, pp. 105.

(15) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire…..” Vol. VII, pp. 638.

(16) Narcis Leven “Cinquante Ans d’Histoire, l’Alliance Israelite Universelle (1860-1910)” Vol.  II, F. Alcan, Paris France, 1911. pp. 176 (In French).

(17) Isaac S. Emmanuel “Toldot yehudeye Saloniki” pp. 133

(18) Joseph Nehama, “Histoire…..” Vol. VII, pp. 736.

To complete this survey on the Covo family of Salonica I am giving here a table showing most of its members.

The Covo family, a chronological order

First name(s)	Born in (Date)	Died in (date)	Notes (Tombstone No.)	References to the Tombstones
Abraham		Salonica 27/01/1533	First tomb of a Covo in Salonica Cemetery (101)^(*)	Emmanuel (1)
Samuel	Salonica	Salonica 15/08/1612	(614)	Molho (3)
Yehuda		Constantinople 05/09/1637	Executed by the Sultan Murad IV. (1123)	Molho (3)
Rivka (Mercada)	Salonica	Salonica 08/12/1652	(972) Wife of Covo Yehuda Abraham.	Molho (3)
Yehuda Abraham	Salonica	Salonica	Husband of Rivka (Mercada) (972)	Molho (3)
Yesha’aya	Salonica		Captured by pirates in 1658
Yehuda	Salonica	Salonica 27/05/1659	(1059)	Molho (3)
Shemaya	Salonica	Salonica 17/05/1663	(784)	Emmanuel (1)
Shemaya	Salonica		In 1674 Rabbinical Judge in Scopie (908)	Emmanuel (1)
Shemaya	Salonica	Salonica 01/09/1685	(997) (1111)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Eliahu Yehuda	Salonica 1620	Salonica 27/11/1688	Chief Rabbi (see above). (1018) (1123)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Yehuda Eliahu	Salonica	Salonica 03/09/1689	Son of Eliahu Yehuda. Died because of the 1688 plague. (1033) (1131)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Jacob	Salonica	Salonica 10/12/1707	(1138)	Emmanuel (1)
Abraham Joseph	Salonica	Salonica 16/09/1716	Note No. 9	Emmanuel (2)
Jacob	Salonica	Salonica 21/10/1717	(1171)	Molho (3)
Shemaya	Salonica	Salonica 03/05/1717	(1196)	Emmanuel (1)
Joseph Abraham	Salonica	Salonica 06/06/1717	Note No. 12	Emmanuel (2)
Yehuda Shemaya	Salonica	Salonica 30/09/1719	Confirmed Rabbi (1211)	Emmanuel (1)
Joseph Shemaya	Salonica 1636	Salonica 01/09/1727	Chief Rabbi (See Above). (1253) (1196)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Joseph Shemaya	Salonica	Salonica 1728	(1253)	Emmanuel (1)
Yehuda Joseph	Salonica	Salonica 04/09/1739	Rabbi (1370)	Emmanuel (1)
Haim Abraham (Bechor)	Salonica	Salonica 13/09/1740	Notable and Rabbi (1225)	Molho (3)

First name(s)	Born in (Date)	Died in (date)		Notes (Tombstone No.)	References to the Tombstones
Abraham	Salonica	Salonica 15/06/1748		Notable, Related to Rabbi Abraham Covo The name of his father is unknown. (1444) (1243)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Shemaya	Salonica	Salonica 18/12/1748		Notable (1449)	Emmanuel (1)
Samuel	Salonica	Salonica 22/06/1752		(1475)	Emmanuel (1)
Jacob	Salonica	Constantinople ~ 1756		Related to chief Rabbi Abraham (Raphael Haim) Covo Note No. 20	Emmanuel (2)
Yehuda Bechor Abraham	Salonica	Salonica 20/12/1760		Notable, Arbitrator (1541)	Emmanuel (1)
Shemaya	Salonica	Salonica 05/12/1760		(408*)	Molho (3)
Shabetaye Yehuda	Salonica	Salonica 26/07/1761		Brother in law of Rabbi Abraham Samuel Covo (1544) (405*)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Joseph Yehuda I	Salonica	Salonica 03/08/1763 or 13/08/1762		Rabbi, see remarks a. Molho (3)	(1284)
Joseph Yehuda II	Salonica	Salonica 03/08/1763		Rabbi, see remark b. (1563)	Emmanuel (1)
Simha	Salonica			Wife of Joseph Yehuda II (1563)	Emmanuel (1)
Joseph Hizkia	Salonica	Salonica 1750		probably the grandchildren of Chief Rabbi Joseph Covo (1563)	Emmanuel (1)
Hizkia Joseph Isaac	Salonica	?		In 1802, emissary from Jerusalem to Constantinople	Gaon (4), pp 748
Baruch ben Hizkia Joseph Bechor	Salonica	Morocco		Died when he was in mission in Morocco.	Gaon (4), pp. 616
Joseph Hizkia Bechor	Salonica	Jerusalem 15/10/1761		Joseph Hizkia Bechor grandson and Isaac father, Head of the Rabbinical court.	Gaon (4), pp. 616
Isaac Joseph	Salonica	Jerusalem 15/10/1761		Son of Joseph Hizkia, He with his son Rabbi Hizkia and with his family went from Salonica to settle in Jerusalem. He and his son were among the great Rabbis of Jerusalem. He died in Jerusalem. Emmanuel (1)	(1563)
Jacob	Salonica	Salonica 25/02/		Notable (401*)	Molho (3)
Eliahu Yoshua Handeli	Salonica	Salonica 1673		Could be the grandson of chief Rabbi Eliahu Yehuda Covo (1564)	Emmanuel (1)
Asher Abraham	Salonica 28/10/1746		Salonica 22/02/1765	Named after his maternal grandfather, Rabbi Asher Shalem (1569)	Emmanuel (1)
Samuel Abraham	Salonica		Salonica 18/06/1776	Notable and leader of the community. Grandson of Chief Rabbi Joseph Covo (1620)	Emmanuel (1)

First name(s)	Born in (Date)		Died in (date)		Notes (Tombstone No.)	References to the Tombstones
Samuel Yehuda	Salonica		Salonica 18/06/1776		Son of Yehuda Covo and father of Abraham Samuel (Raphael Haim). May be Joseph Covo brother. (1311)	Molho (3)
Rachel	Salonica		Salonica 23/09/1780		Wife of Covo Abraham Samuel (404*)	Molho (3)
Abraham Samuel (Bechor, Raphael, Haim	Salonica		Salonica 30/12/1792		Chief Rabbi (see above) (1673) (1374)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Hanania	Salonica		Salonica 05/05/1794		Rabbi (1377)	Molho (3)
Hanania Samuel	Salonica		Salonica 13/05/1796		Emmanuel (2), No. 29
Isaac	Salonica		Jerusalem 07/08/1807		Emmanuel (2), No. 30
Jacob Abraham	Salonica ~ 1770		Salonica 15/02/1816		Notable, Father of chief Rabbi Asher Covo. (1684) (400*)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Chizkia Joseph (Bechor)	Salonica		Jerusalem 13/10/1821		Emmanuel (2), No. 33
Joseph	Salonica		Gibraltar ~ 1843		Rabbi in Gibraltar
Hanania Jacob	Salonica		Salonica 07/04/1828		brother of Rabbi Asher Jacob Covo (1695)	Emmanuel (1)
Jacob Hanania	Salonica		Salonica		(1695)	Emmanuel (1)
Baruch Joseph	Salonica or Jerusalem		Morocco 1835		Brother of the chief Rabbi of Palestine Rabbi Isaac Chizkia Covo. Went in mission to North Africa and was killed in Morocco presumably in 1835.
Joseph Jacob	Salonica		Salonica 03/11/1838		Chief Rabbi Asher Jacob brother (1703) (1426)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Abraham Jacob (Bechor Haim)	Salonica		Salonica 12/07/1846		Chief Rabbi Asher Jacob brother Rabbinical Head of Justice (1711)	Emmanuel (1)
Abraham Jacob (Rabbino)	Salonica		Salonica 10/09/1845 or 25/09/1848		Rabbinical Judge (1708) (1443)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Tamar (Vida)	Salonica		Salonica 13/07/1850		Widow of Rabbi Abraham Jacob (Bechor Haim) (1711) (409*)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Abraham Moshe (Bechor)	Salonica		Salonica 22/08/1848		Physician, died during the Cholera plague of 1848. (1715) (1441)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Rivka Mercada	Salonica		Salonica 19/11/1852		Wife of Covo Yehuda Abraham. Daughter of the Rabbinical judge Saul Hanania. Had two sons Abraham and Samuel. (1719)	Emmanuel (1)
Isaac ben Hizkia Joseph	Salonica 1770	Alexandria Egypt 24/08/1859		Gaon (4), pp. 615

First name(s)	Born in (Date)	Died in (date)	Notes (Tombstone No.)	References to the Tombstones
Moshe Abraham	Salonica	Salonica 27/06/1864
Djoya	Salonica	Salonica 10/10/1866	Wife of chief Rabbi Joseph Covo
Abraham Isaac	Salonica	Salonica 01/04/1867	(1847)	Emmanuel (1)
Asher Jacob (Rahamim Raphael)	Salonica 1797	Salonica 27/12/1874	Chief Rabbi, see above (1737) (1496)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Isaac Jacob	Salonica	Salonica 07/05/1881	Rabbinical Judge. Chief Rabbi Asher Jacob brother (1743) (1507)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
David Isaac	Salonica	Salonica 21/11/1882	(1747)	Emmanuel (1)
Yehuda Abraham	Salonica 1832	Salonica 23/12/1877	Rabbinical judge and head of Asher Covo Yeshiva. (1761)	Emmanuel (1)
Samuel Yehuda	Salonica	Salonica	Son of Yehuda Abraham. (1761)	Emmanuel (1)
Abraham Yehuda	Salonica	Salonica	Son of Yehuda Abraham (1761)	Emmanuel (1)
Joseph Jacob	Salonica	Salonica 02/10/1884	Died young. Could be the father of our great grandfather Jacob Joseph and his brother Isaac. (1751)	Emmanuel (1)
Jacob Isaac	Salonica	Salonica 21/10/1896	Rabbi (1771) (1546)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Jacob Joseph	Salonica	Salonica 30/10/1898	Head of the Rabbinical court. (1774) (1553)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Jacob Isaac	Salonica	Salonica 1907		Molho (3)
Yehuda Abraham	Salonica	Salonica 1907	Rabbinical Judge. Wrote the book “Yehuda Ya’ale”
Jacob Hanania (Yaacobaggi)	Salonica 1824	Salonica 11/04/1907	Chief Rabbi, see above (1782) (1576)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Moshe Joseph	Salonica	Salonica 30/10/1908	(403*)	Molho (3)
Jacob Abraham	Salonica	Salonica 30/12/1908
Joseph Asher Haim (Haimoggo)	Salonica	Salonica 27/10/1910	Notable and Philanthropist (Remark c) (1785) (1587)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Salomon Moshe	Salonica	Salonica 21/06/1913
Vida	Salonica	Salonica 1916	Wife of Jacob Covo, daughter of Yehuda Navaro
Jacob Abraham	Salonica	Salonica 09/12/1918	(402*)	Molho (3)

First name(s)	Born in (Date)	Died in (date)	Notes (Tombstone No.)	References to the Tombstones
Goya (Julia) Jacob	Salonica	Salonica 22/08/1929	Wife of Covo Haim Asher (1785)	Emmanuel (1)
Mercado Joseph	Salonica	Salonica 19/06/1940	Professor in Covo Haim Asher Rabbinical school “Or Hahaim” (1785) (1639)	Emmanuel (1) Molho (3)
Hanania Jacob	Salonica	Salonica 05/03/1929	Rabbi, With him ends the history of 300 years of Rabbinate of this illustrious family. Rabbi Hanania was the congregation’s committee member. Published in 1915 his father book “Kohav MiYaakov” (398*)	Molho (3)

Remarks to the Table

(a) Could be the grandson of Rabbi Joseph Shemaya Covo. It looks that these two Joseph Yehuda are two different persons. This is possible if there was a marriage between two first cousins.

(b) Grandson of the chief Rabbi Joseph Covo. Rabbi and Torah teacher. One of his students, Rabbi Salomon Hacohen Perahia published his teacher’s book “Ben Porath Yossef” with the financial aid of his widow Simha. Died at the age of ~ 40 and did not have sons.

(c) Senior Hain (Haimoggo) Covo the son of Chief Rabbi Asher Jacob and the son in law of chief Rabbi Jacob Covo was known in his time to every Salonican. A learned and very rich man and the greatest philanthropist that gave part of his fortune to help needy families and Torah students. For years he was the treasurer of the “Talmud Torah” schools. After the death of Rabbi Yehudah Covo he administrated his father Yeshiva. All his fortune, approximately half a million gold francs, he endowed to the community establishments and especially to the “Talmud Torah” schools. In his will he gave funds to the rabbinical school that was named after him “Or Hahaim” (light of the life). In his will he also left funds to support small business people who kept the Sabbath. Founded a Yeshiva and supported the students. He also founded a pre-Yeshiva class where students learned Talmud and Turkish. .Isaac Samuel Emmanuel (the author of the book “Precious Stones of the Jews in Salonica”) was one of the first student in this school. His magnificent library with all the expensive and important books, his houses and his fortune burned in the 1917 fire. Isaac Samuel Emmanuel dedicated his book “Generations of Famous Salonikan”. His wife Goya the daughter of Rabbi Jacob Covo died in 22/08/1929 All his children died relatively young before him.

Sources

(1) Isaac S Emmanuel “Precious Stones of the Jews in Salonica”, Ben-Zvi Institute, Jerusalem Israel, 1968 (in Hebrew).

(2) Isaac S Emmanuel article “The Covo Family-Its Rabbis and Distinguished Citizens” in Zihron Saloniki vol. II, David A. Reccanati Ed., Salonica Communittee Pulishing Commity, Tel Aviv Israel 1986 (in Hebrew)

(3) Michael Molho “Tombstones of the Jewish Cemetery of Salonica”, The Research Institute of the Jewish community of Salonica, Tel Aviv Israel 1974 (in Hebrew).

(4) Index of the book “Yehudey Hamizrach be Eretz Yisrael“ (Oriental Jews in Eretz Yisrael) by Moshe David Gaon., Jerusalem 1938 (In Hebrew). Compiled and translated by by Mathilde Tagger, Jerusalem Israel

(5) DA”R “81 Inscriptions of tombs copied by Mercado Covo” in Zihron Saloniki vol. II, David A. Reccanati Ed., Salonica Communittee Pulishing Commity, Tel Aviv Israel 1986. pp. 110 (in Hebrew).

(6) Isaac S. Emmanuel “Toldot yehudeye Saloniki” (The history of the Jewish community of Salonica), in Zihron Saloniki volume I, David A. Reccanati Ed., Salonica Communittee Pulishing Commity, Tel Aviv Israel 1972 (in Hebrew).