The European Day of Jewish Culture kicked off in Rome in the gardens of the Great Synagogue. Alex Luzon, vice president of Rome’s Jewish Community, explained that, for Jews, love—this year’s event theme—begins with study and knowledge. “However, we are living in a time when its opposite seems to prevail. Anti-Jewish hatred has now taken hold everywhere, fueling a pervasive climate of mistrust and fear.” This hatred, he said, “creates nothing and unites no one,” but merely “paves the way for destruction and utter chaos.”
Luzon contended that the response must be distinct: it should not be to respond to hatred with more hatred or to allow fear to dictate our actions. Instead, he argued, we should “counter it with a force capable of building, strengthening us, and bringing us together.” That force, he said, is love.
“This is the message we wish to share: We must cherish our love for Judaism and the values that define us. We must ensure that our love for our identity unite us.”
Luzon was joined in opening the event by Civita Di Russo, chief of staff of the Lazio regional government, and Alessandra Sermoneta, vice president of Rome’s First Municipality. Following the opening remarks, the program began in the synagogue gardens with discussions on themes such as “love of God,” “love of science,” and “love of the land through art and literature.”
Piera Levi-Montalcini, niece of scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini (1909–2012), who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 40 years ago, was among those taking part.