A hospital born out of necessity, at the time of the ghetto

The roots of the Ospedale Israelitico (Israelitic Hospital) go back centuries. In 1600, almost half a century after Roman Jews were confined to the ghetto, a first Opera Pia Ebraica (Jewish Religious Charity) was set up. Its purpose was to provide care to the Jews who had been excluded from public health services, then under the control of the Church. It was the first step toward the creation of what would later become the Ospedale Israelitico. The charity remained in operation until 1884, when the municipal administration decided to grant an old convent, adjacent to the church of St Bartholomew on the Tiber Island, to the newly emancipated from Papal restrictions Jewish Community.
The Municipality’s decision was influenced by two factors: the area’s proximity to the former ghetto, which even under the new political direction remained central to the Jewish community; and the death of a Roman Jew taken ill who was not received in public facilities.
It was the founding act of the nascent Israelitic Hospital. Recognized by royal decree in 1911 and now part of the Italian Healthcare system, the hospital has expanded further. In 1970, a new site was inaugurated in the Magliana area, which is now the leading provider of medical services. On Tiber Island, in addition to one of the outpatient clinics, are the legal and administrative headquarters of the organization. This long history of commitment, strongly imbued with Jewish values and at the service of the entire city, was confirmed during the pandemic, when the Israelitic Hospital responded positively to a request from the Lazio Region and became a Covid Hospital.
Born out of necessity, it stands as a testament to the resilience of the Jewish community confined to the ghetto, who organized themselves to meet needs denied elsewhere. It is the only remaining Jewish hospital in Italy, but now serves all citizens.