A tribute to Scialom Tesciuba (1934-2019)
By Pagine Ebraiche staff*
Scialom Tesciuba, memorable leader of the Libyan Jewish community who came to Italy fleeing a ruthless regime, was born in Tripoli in 1934.
Since his arrival in Rome in 1967, he had always had a crucial role in refugee assistance and the reconstruction of a Jewish group that has become ever more significant and essential for Judaism in Rome and all around Italy.
His participation in community life was encouraged by Rabbi Elio Toaff, as Tesciuba himself told at Temple Beth El, which he founded and put his heart and soul into, during an event in 2016. This happened 35 years after his first appointment to the Council and was a surprise event that touched Scialom deeply.
“When the Chief Rabbi nominates you, you cannot refuse” Tesciuba said jokingly at the time. Along with Sion Burbea, the other memorable leader of Libyan Jews, he would then welcome Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni visiting the Great Synagogue to remember the 50th anniversary of the escape and arrival in Rome of the community, which brought a “cosmopolitan wave” and established itself professionally through “culture and creativity”.
This path has been marked by many successes that are partly the result of the steady leadership of figures like Tesciuba, whom all Italian Jews are mourning in the last few hours.
From his childhood memories to the 1967 pogrom, from his arrival in Rome to the institution of Beth El. Tesciuba told his life story in a long interview for the project “Memorie Ebraiche” (Jewish Memories). It is a precious testimony that was pointed out by the Jewish Culture Centre in Rome.
The funeral service took place this morning at Campo Verano. His remains will be moved to Israel, where he will be buried. May his memory be a blessing.
*Translated by Claudia Azzalini and revised by Mattia Stefani, students at the Advanced School for Interpreters and Translators of Trieste University and interns at the newspaper office of the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities.