An increasing heaviness surrounds all Jewish initiatives in Italy. Nonetheless, the Literary Prize ADEI-WIZO from the Association of Italian Jewish Women (ADEI-WIZO) once again entrusts books to combat simplifications and build complexity. The 2026 awards were presented on May 7 in Ferrara. Participants included former Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, Israeli writer Ron Chen, graphic artist Vittorio Giardino, and musician\/writer Enrico Fink. “The situation is becoming ever more challenging, and this 26th edition has been especially difficult,” ADEI-WIZO president Susanna Sciaky told Pagine Ebraiche. The war in the Middle East and the surge in antisemitism make public projects related to the Jewish world unwelcome. “Even schools that previously followed all our stops this year will be linked remotely. There is a sort of detachment.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem goes beyond organizational hurdles. “After so many years of work, we once again find ourselves forced to prove who we are, what we do, and who we work for, both as Jews and as an association. We thought that some prejudices and sentiments had been overcome. But they were still here, dormant but not erased. At the first opportunity, they reemerged.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet the Literary Prize continues. “We are stubborn and will continue. Sometimes I feel that our commitment is utopian. But those who do not dream do not live. If you stop dreaming, you won’t be able to project yourself into the future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year, the winner of the main category is Eli Sharabi, an Israeli hostage survivor, with his autobiography, Hostage<\/em>. His participation in the awards ceremony was highly anticipated, and his presence is a powerful symbol for Shaky. The book recounts Sharabi\u2019s 491 days in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, following his abduction from his home in kibbutz Be\u2019eri on October 7, 2023. His testimony is as significant for readers as it is for the entire world. It is like hearing a Holocaust survivor say, ‘I was there.’ Sharabi describes something terrible that many cannot even imagine, but that he personally experienced. We are very proud to have him.” On October 7, Sharabi lost his wife Lianne and daughters Noya and Yahel. They were all murdered by Hamas terrorists during the attack on Kibbutz Be’eri. Sharabi was captured and taken hostage in Gaza. Susanna Sciaky said: “He exemplifies the strength of Israeli society. His message is to go on and try to build your future for tomorrow and the new generations.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"