After World War II, Louis Goldman became an established photographer in the USA. During the war, he was a young Jewish man hounded by the nazi-fascists. Born in Germany to Polish parents, he fled to Paris and later hid in Florence, thanks to the assistance of the Opera of the Divine Providence of Madonnina del Grappa. Founded in 1924, this Florentine religious institute provided refuge to many Jews who were being persecuted. This is a story that the people of Florence are strongly aware of, so it does not come as a surprise that the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Opera began with the presentation of the re-release of Goldman\u2019s memoir, Amici per la vita (Friends for life), reissued after over thirty years by publishing house Giuntina, with the support of the Jewish Community, the Opera of the Jewish Temple, the Settimio Saadun Jewish Hospice and the Florentine section of the Adei Wizo as a \u201csign of gratitude to preserve the memory of those who worked with courage to save Jews from persecution.\u201d
\nThis is a matter to be proud of, remarked the mayor Sara Funaro when introducing Goldman\u2019s book in the Brunelleschi room of the Palagio di Parte Guelfa. \u201cAn extraordinary network of assistance was created in Florence,\u201d underlined Funaro, emphasizing the active collaboration of local clergy members. The Church\u2019s involvement was indeed essential. Standing tall in his role, Archbishop Elia Dalla Costa was proclaimed Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, a title shared also by Father Leto Casini and Father Giulio Facibeni, founder of the Opera.
\nBoth figures had a decisive impact on Goldman\u2019s life. Editor Shulim Vogelmann defined them as true \u201cpriests of courage.\u201d \u201cWe are touched by that courage and by the coming together of different people and cultures,\u201d noted Father Vincenzo Russo, the current president of the institute.<\/p>\n
A story of love and respect<\/strong> Photo: Goldman, Father Faicibeni and another priest<\/p>\n
\nEverything within the walls of the Opera \u201ctook place under the banner of utmost love and respect,\u201d added Florence chief Rabbi Gadi Piperno, explaining how Facibeni gifted a Hebrew grammar book to young Goldman, who was just 18 at the time, as a sign of comfort and solidarity. Facibeni refrained from interpreting it himself, so that there would not have been misunderstandings regarding his benevolent and selfless intentions. These bonds between the rescued and their rescuers, not just in Florence, continued even after the war, becoming profound emotional connections. \u201cThey truly became friends for life,\u201d recalled Adina Goldman, Louis\u2019 daughter, \u201cand this is a value we passed on to future generations.\u201d To conclude the evening, Renzo Funaro, president of the Opera of the Jewish Temple took the floor. He was the first to support the reprint of the volume: \u201cSince we are celebrating the Righteous, it was essential that this happened under the auspices of Jewish institutions. Goldman\u2019s testimony is dramatic and captivating: read it.\u201d<\/p>\n