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February 13, 2017 - Shevat 17, 5777

NEWS

Meeting ADL in Rome, Bergoglio Reaffirms Condemnation of 'Widespread' Anti-Semitism

By Pagine Ebraiche staff

Meeting the representatives of the Anti-Defamation League in Rome last week, Jorge Bergoglio
reaffirmed his condemnation of anti-Semitism in all forms.
“Sadly, anti-Semitism, which I again denounce in all its’ forms as completely contrary to Judeo-Christian principles and every vision worthy of a decent person, is still widespread today. I reaffirm that ‘the Catholic Church feels particularly obliged to do all that is possible with our Jewish friends to repel anti-Semitic tendencies’.”
The pope further stressed the importance of taking an active approach in the fight against anti-Semitism, encouraging ADL’s efforts in this direction.
“Today more than ever, the fight against anti-Semitism can benefit from effective instruments, such as information and education. In this regard, I thank you for your work and for combined efforts to counter defamation with education, promotion of respect for all, and protection of the weakest. Caring for the sacred gift of all human life and safeguarding its dignity, from conception to death, is the best way of preventing every type of violence. Faced with too much violence spreading throughout the world, we are now called to a greater nonviolence, which does not mean passivity, but active promotion of good. Indeed, if it is necessary to pull out the weeds of evil, it is even more vital to sow the seeds of goodness: to cultivate justice, to foster accord, to sustain integration, without growing weary; only in this way may we gather the fruits of peace. I encourage you in this work, in the conviction that the best remedies against the rise of hatred consist in making available the means necessary for a dignified life, in promoting culture and favoring religious freedom everywhere, as well as in protecting believers and religions from every form of violence and exploitation."

news

Polish Ambassador to Rome Ensures
His Country’s Efforts against Anti-Semitism

By Adam Smulevich

"I am proud of what we have done in the 27 years that have passed since the collapse of Communism. In particular in the perspective of our relationship with the Jewish community, which has given Poland so many illustrious people of culture, but also in the growing friendship with the state of Israel. Certainly, there is still much to do, but my feeling is that there are several reasons for us being satisfied. We are on the right path, even in fighting anti-Semitism."
These words were pronounced by the Polish ambassador in Italy, Tomasz Orlowski, who last week was invited by the Union of Italian Jewish Communities for a meeting organized by its president Noemi Di Segni. The discussion was focused on the Poland of the past and the Poland of the future.
Asked about Polish responsibilities in the Holocaust, ambassador Orlowski suggested “not criminalizing an entire people, but to judge individuals."

NEWS

New Projects at Milan Holocaust Memorial

By Daniel Reichel

A growing number of people are becoming interested in the activities of the Milan Holocaust Memorial. “For the first time, the Holocaust Memorial has hosted four activities in a single day with more than 800 visitors taking part in them,” said the vice president of the Memorial Foundation Roberto Jarach, speaking about the wide participation in the programs held last week.
The structure is located in the warehouses of the Milan Central Station, where the trains to the death camps were loaded in secret by the Nazi-Fascists.
"In addition to the guided and free visits that take place from 10 am to 7 pm, the exhibition “16 Ottobre – La Razzia” (devoted to the Nazi raid of the Jewish ghetto in Rome) has aroused great interest for this rich and valuable documentation," emphasizes Jarach. The exhibition will be open until April 13.

bechol lashon - Français

Pas d’antisémitisme dans
le slogan entonné par des supporters de football, selon un juge italien

JTA*

Un magistrat italien a jugé que des supporters de football qui avaient entonné un slogan comportant le mot « Juifs » n’avaient pas tenu un discours de haine, ce qui a suscité une réponse furieuse de la part de la communauté juive.
Dans une lettre adressée au ministre italien de la Justice, Andrea Orlando, la présidente de la communauté juive de Rome, Ruth Dureghello, a déclaré que le jugement émis au début du mois établissait « indubitablement un précédent alarmant pour la justice » en Italie qui, « dans son essence, légitime l’utilisation de l’adjectif ‘Juif’ de manière désobligeante et raciste, et, dans tous les cas, en fait un instrument de dérision autorisé durant les événements sportifs ».
Selon les médias d’information, Orlando avait indiqué qu’il se pencherait sur le dossier.
La présidente de l’Union des Communautés juives italiennes, Noemi Di Segni, a elle aussi émis un courrier de protestation en direction des autorités du football.

Times of Israel Français, 15.1.2017.

Lire sur le site

pilpul

Parting the Waters Revealing the Hidden

By Yaakov Mascetti*

Identity is a complex matter indeed. And origins are an even more complex issue. And since I have, like many other people, problems with both the latter and the former, the redemption of the people of Israel and their passage through the Red Sea is always quite pertinent to me, and to how I see my evolution. As the newly freed Israelites walk through the open waters of the Red Sea, and take step after step towards their new identity and their destiny (Promised Land, etc.), a new collective is born right at the intersection between sea and ground . The whole process is very similar to that of conversion, as the newly born Jew steps of the ritual bath and begins his life as a member of the people of Israel.
The rhetoric of this is quite appealing, and still gives me, at times, the shivers. But is it really that simple? Against the background of the many downfalls of the Israelites in the desert as they are described in the book of Numbers, it is obvious that the passage is not a definitive moment and that by no means the “people” that walk out of other side of the split waters are actually a new collective.

*Yaakov Mascetti holds a Ph.D. and teaches at the Department of Comparative Literature, Bar Ilan University.

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IT HAPPENED TOMORROW

Inside the Community

By Guido Vitale

"The hasidic community is usually depicted according to the views of outsiders and frequently appears cold and generally without joy. Yet the Hasidic culture that I have experienced is one that is funny, beautiful, and deeply spiritual." (Joshua Weinstein, film director).

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italics

Why Was This Italian Artist Interested in Synagogues?

By Menachem Wecker*

Nearly 275 years after Alessandro Magnasco’s death, experts still aren’t sure what to make of his work — particularly four paintings of synagogues.
Known as il Lissandrino, Magnasco was born 350 years ago Feb. 4th. He wasn’t Jewish, but synagogues were among his most frequent subjects, notes the Cleveland Museum of Art, which owns “Interior of a Synagogue” (c. 1725-35). The museum describes the work as “mystical, dark, and imaginative,” adding that the artist likely viewed Jews as outsiders. “Magnasco’s personal views on Judaism in Italy remain unknown,” it states.

*This article was published in the Forward on February 10, 2017.

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moked è il portale dell'ebraismo italiano

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