Rome commemorates Officer Adamoli, Righteous Among the Nations

Formerly an officer of the Guardia di Finanza (the Italian financial guard) during the First World War and later appointed Podestà of Teramo, capital of the Abruzzo region, by the fascist regime, Umberto Adamoli has been named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem in December 2023. During the Nazi-Fascist persecution, as the highest -ranking official in the city, Podestà Adamoli helped several Jews – both from Trieste and from abroad – to escape deportation. His name was commemorated on January 29, 2024, during a ceremony held at the ‘General B. Sante Laria’ barracks of the Guardia di Finanza of Rome, organised on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A laurel wreath was laid at the Corps’ memorial monument, and a plaque dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel Adamoli was unveiled in the ‘Dobrej’ courtyard.
Commemorating “those who sacrificed their lives to save human lives is a rightful tribute that goes beyond the ceremony itself,” said Noemi Di Segni, the President of the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities, who attended the ceremony beside General Andrea De Gennaro, commander of the Guardia di Finanza. “The 21 Italian communities in Italy bow together to the memory of the fallen and to that of officer Adamoli. Every young cadet, conscript, commander should carve the words ‘never again’ on their path and know how to associate them with the imperative of lucidity and freedom,” urged Di Segni. The UCEI President then emphasised the current commitment of the Guardia di Finanza in fighting terrorism. “This is a mission for which we are deeply grateful,” she said.
“Unfortunately, in recent months, after the massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7 and the war situation that ensued, we have witnessed a terrifying wave of anti-Semitism all over the world, and also here, in Italy,” remarked Raphael Singer, minister-counsellor of the Israeli Embassy in Rome. Such re-emergence of anti-Jewish hatred should not be underestimated. “The Shoah – the diplomat concluded – has shown that radical ideology and extreme terminology lead to inhuman and deadly violence. It is therefore our common duty, our moral commitment, to combat this scourge and to promote tolerance, understanding and mutual respect”. The ceremony was also attended by the UCEI security coordinator Gianni Zarfati and the heritage councillor of the Jewish Community of Rome, Isaac Tesciuba.

Translated by Alida Caccia, student at the Advanced School for Interpreters and Translators of the University of Trieste, trainee in the newsroom of the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities – Pagine Ebraiche.