Migrations: Florence’s Jewish Heritage Day

Florence’s synagogue seen from a rooftop terrace

Sunday, Sept. 10:  EUROPEAN JEWISH HERITAGE DAY:  Diaspora, Identity and Dialogue. Florence Synagogue, via Farini 6.  Free admission.

The public of Florence is welcome at a series of events organized by the Jewish Community of Florence. In a world were Jews have been persecuted in almost every country, this year’s theme is centered on the diaspora (historical migration of Jews from their homeland, ancient Palestine). Jewish suffering dates back to 733 BCE, when Tiglath Pileser III exiled them from the kingdom of Israel. Still to this day, the lengthy exodus is still ongoing.

The Union of Jewish Communities in Italy has been promoting Jewish culture for nearly 20 years with cultural appointments like such, taking place this year in 81 different localities of Italy, North to South. This event, from morning to night, will aim to commemorate Jewish history and introduce their culture to others, with discussions, museum tours, music and food, all free of charge.

There will even be activities exclusively for children. In a tent they can listen to the Jewish fairy tale, The Story of Gibbor, a symbol of the diaspora. The story comes from a collection, Jewish Tales – a journey towards the land of Israel. The children will be able to learn in an engaging way about different cultures. The Jewish Community in Florence in collaboration with the Oblate Library and the Central Theatre of Art, have created this activity to raise awareness about racism and xenophobia.

The day will start with a meet and greet at 10 am delivered by the president of the Jewish community of Florence, Dario Bedarida, vice president of the Tuscany region Monica Barni and the city council representative of welfare, Sara Funaro.

From 11:30 am there will be a series of discussions, starting with Laura Forti, council member of the Jewish Community in Florence, addressing the process of migration. Massimo Giuliani, professor of Jewish studies at the University of Florence, will present the next speech, Diaspora, Dilemmas Between Memory and Eternity.

From 12:30 pm the event will lead on to Kadima: From the Jewish ghetto in Venice to the Promised Land, an exhibition set up by the Jewish Community, the Jewish museum of Venice, the city of Florence and Keren Hayesod Onlus. The president of the latter, Andrea Jarach will inaugurate the display. This show will tell the impressive story of the Kadima ship that sailed secretly from the ghetto to the Promised Land on November 5, 1947.

There will be an hour break at 1 pm, in which guests can enjoy flavors of Jewish cuisine.

Next, there will be a discussion, Diasporas and Migrations: The Jewish Model, lead by Raffaele Palumbo, journalist and host of the radio stations: Controradio Firenze and Popolare Network. Wlodek Goldkorn, for many years manager of l’Espresso newspaper and Sara Funaro will examine the issue of Jewish migration, past and present.

Ayelet Gundar Goshen, Israeli author of Wake Up the Lions, will present her book from 4pm. This novel follows the story of Eitan Green and is set in the city of Beersheba. One evening, after taking his new car out in the desert, he collides with and kills another man, from that moment on, his life is completely changed.

Later in the evening (5 pm), there will be a video presentation made by a migrant association, Women for peace. At 6:30 group Klezmerata Fiorentina, will play traditional Ukrainian-Jewish jazz music. The musicians are Igor Polesitsky (violin), Riccardo Crocilla (clarinet), Francesco Furlanich (accordion) and Riccardo Donati (double bass).

A buffet will be available from 8 pm, prepared by Balagan Bistrot Cafè and street food put together by Ruth’s, a kosher vegetarian restaurant. There will be a film screening of Between Fences shortly after, at 9:15 pm. This documentary deals with the daily life of refugees detained in a camp in Israel.

There will also be frequent tours of the synagogue and Jewish museum scheduled at 10:30 am – 11:30 am– 12:30 pm – 3 pm – 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. (karen gee)