The inscription above the entrance to the synagogue reads: “For Thou will ignite my candle; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. (In the) year 5281. Moses son of Michael Yeniati.” Above this dedication, the Hebrew letters “Lamed-Kaf” are written which may be a Kabbalistic formula for a Name of God.
The Hebrew date conforms to 1520/21 in the Julian calendar. The text is a quote from Psalm 18:29. Very little if anything is known about the mentioned Michael Yeniati. An Abraham Yeniati is listed in Canea (Hania) in the 16th century; a Moses Yeniati in Candia (Heraklion) in 1654.
Photos 1, 2, 4, 5: © Anastasios Skikos
Photo 3, 6: © Etz Hayyim Synagogue
