UGEI – New Board elected in Florence
The congress of the Union of Italian Young Jews (UGEI) has elected a new Board in Florence. The Board will remain in office until 2026. The following were elected in order of preference: Maia Piperno (Florence), Matias Uriel Girotto (Naples/Mantua), Benedetta Caivano (Rome), David Bedarida (Livorno), Shulamit Bondì (Rome), Ghila Lascar (Florence), and Sara Astrologo (Rome). Five of the seven councilors are serving for the first time in the new structure.
“Come forward, and say: ‘Here I am.’ This is the invitation I extended to the congress in my speech. I asked them to get involved because every action counts,” explained outgoing president Luca Spizzichino. He emphasized that “only together can we help make our community stronger and build a better future. Only together can we ensure that Italian Jewry not only survives but also grows and continues to be a courageous, positive presence looking toward tomorrow.” Spizzichino gained a wealth of experience within UGEI: two years as president, over eight years on the board, managing the periodical Hatikwa, and serving as an auditor. “I have seen UGEI grow, especially during this dramatic period, to become the voice of all young Jews in Italy. We have never remained silent. We have fought for our rights with responsibility and determination.”