Jewish Italy: The Story Beneath the Story
In Rome, history rarely presents itself in chronological order. It rises through broken columns, settles into family recipes and hides behind doorways that thousands of visitors pass without noticing. Few can answer the questions of Italian Jewish communities. When did the Jews first come to Italy? Where did they live? Why did the communities of Southern Italy disappear? What was their relationship with non-Jews? Why were ghettos created? And perhaps the most revealing question of all: When did Italian Jews finally become equal citizens – accepted as fully Italian while retaining a distinct religion, history and identity?
Near the ruins of the Portico d’Ottavia, the scent of artichokes frying in oil drifts through streets overshadowed by the square dome of…
