A New Challenge for Italian Jewry

by Renzo Gattegna*

Dear readers,

It is with great pleasure and pride that I introduce to you the first issue of Pagine Ebraiche International Edition, the first-ever English language newspaper published in the Italian Jewish world.

This achievement is part of a broader effort of Italian Jewry to open itself up to the world, to connect to a growing number of people and to tell them about our great legacy of values and history.
On the one hand, our past and our present make us proud, on the other, they challenge us to preserve what we have inherited and are called upon to hand down to posterity.

In full awareness of this challenge, a few years ago the Union of Italian Jewish Communities introduced a new media strategy in order to reach out to thousands of people every day.
Since then, we have launched two daily newsletters, three monthly print papers, a daily media review (covering both the Italian and international press), a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

Today we celebrate this new undertaking and look to the future with ambition. Working on this project, we have a staff of young and determined journalists, who strive to reach the international media, European and international Jewish institutions and leaders, and English-speaking readers all over the world – in short, anyone who is interested in learning more about our unique world.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy Passover.

Chag Pesach Kasher ve Sameach

*Renzo Gattegna is the president of the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities