Jewish Rome Bids Farewell to Eva Ruth Palmieri, a Champion of Dialogue

The Italian Jewish community mourns the passing of Eva Ruth Palmieri. A translator and interpreter, she also served as a councilor of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities. Born in New York in 1967, she was the mother of Elisabetta and Leonardo. She was passionately dedicated to improving interfaith dialogue and fostering encounters between different identities and cultures. “She was a great promoter of dialogue and interreligious cooperation,” said Religions for Peace Italia, one of the associations with which she collaborated. The organization highlighted her “passion, intelligence, loyalty, and sense of responsibility” and announced its intention “to grow what Eva Ruth has sown for justice and authentic peace.” Cenap Aydin, director of the Tevere Institute, said, “Eva brought intelligence, passion, and a smile that could illuminate even the most difficult discussion to her work. She was an authentic travel companion, a rigorous scholar, and a loyal friend.” Eva Ruth Palmieri inherited her qualities from her parents, Franco Palmieri and Lisa Billig. Lisa is a journalist and Vatican specialist who represents the American Jewish Committee in Italy and serves as a liaison to the Holy See. The editorial team of Moked/Pagine Ebraiche offers its deepest condolences to the colleague for her loss.

As a councilor of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Eva Ruth coordinated the minorities commission and organized a meeting about women’s leadership. “We should value the growth of the forest rather than the falling of a single tree,” she said about the commitment to building dialogue in Israel and the Middle East. Her commitment was always both personal and professional, without boundaries. 

“For years, she provided discreet and professional service to the Religious Information Service (SIR). She contributed her competence, reliability, and friendship to the development of the English version of the agency and translation activities in the Vatican and interreligious spheres,” said the SIR in a statement. The statement expressed gratitude “for the human touch, dedication, and cultural refinement that accompanied her service.” Many currently remember these qualities with emotion. May her memory be a blessing.