For years Andrea Jarach, entrepreneur and member of the Jewish community of Milan, has been involved in initiatives to enhance his city. From the editorial work of the magazine WikiMilano, to the urban decoration project \u201cAngeli del Bello\u201d (\u201cAngels of Beauty\u201d), to the support of local excellence through the cultural association \u201cMilano Loves You\u201d. \u201cI am happy and proud of what I have done in my forty-year career. And I am happy and proud of the recognition that comes from my city.” That is what Jarach told Pagine Ebraiche after being awarded the prestigious Ambrogino d’Oro 2023, the prize annually bestowed by the municipality to recognize people and associations that stood out for their commitment and work for the common good.
\n \u201cThe award comes at a very difficult time for those close to Israel. I have never hidden my activism for the Jewish state and for me the Ambrogino d’Oro award acquires an additional value: it shows how much as Jews we are part of the social fabric, how much we are citizens of Milan with our requests and sensibilities.” Jarach recalls how the commitment to Milan is part of his family culture: starting from his grandfather Federico and his father Guido, both entrepreneurs awarded by the city with civic merits, to his brother Roberto, president of the Shoah Memorial. \u201cThese recognitions help counteract the prejudice about the Jewish world and the distorted belief that we are other from the city. We are an integral part of it,” Jarach, also founder of the publishing company Proedi Editore, reiterates.
\nIn addition to his activities in Milan, Jarach chairs the association \u201cFriends of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.\u201d \u201cThe university has been severely afflicted by the conflict with Hamas. There were casualties and injuries among lecturers and students, and the teaching activities were suspended. For an academic institution, this represents the greatest damage. We try to raise awareness among Italian universities and find support for Ben-Gurion.”
\nIn this perspective, he explains, in several cities \u2013 Milan, Rome, Trieste, Turin and Venice \u2013 ambassadors who can “form a network to help the Israeli university” have been appointed. After the petition signed by thousands of Italian professors for a boycott of Israeli academia, Jarach does not hide his bitterness. “I had immediately asked the deans to mobilize, and instead there was silence. Now I understand why, but we, in our small way, will try to mend fences and explain the importance of collaboration.”
\nIn addition to Jarach, Silvia Vegetti Finzi, psychologist and pedagogist, who escaped racial persecution and author of the autobiographical book “Una bambina senza stella” (“A girl without a star”), will also receive the Ambrogino d’oro award this year. The \u201cFondazione Foresta dei Giusti Gariwo\u201d, which manages the Garden of the Righteous in Milan, will be awarded the certificate of civic merit.<\/p>\n