PORTRAITS Eliezer Tritto, a pioneer from Puglia to Israel

eliezer trittoBy Pagine Ebraiche staff

Eliezer Tritto, a leader of the Jewish community from Sannicandro di Puglia just passed away a few days ago. He was 89 years old.
 
Tritto, who lived in Zfat where he ran a legendary falafel kiosk, was in the group of people that embraced Judaism inspired by fellow villager Donato Manduzio (1885-1948) in one of the most incredible episodes of 20th century Jewish history.
 
Manduzio, born into a peasant family in Puglia, found out about Judaism by studying the Old Testament by himself and gradually gathered a community around him. After the Second World War and his death, many of the community formally converted and moved to Israel.
 
Tritto leaves five children, ten grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Many members of the Italian community in Israel remembered him including Beniamino Lazar, president of the Committee for Italian Residents Abroad in the Jerusalem area. Lazar highlighted his role and ability to inspire the people around him.