|
Trending Topics
|
An Italian Jewish Rebirth
(Wall Street Journal) Michael Ledeen - While anti-Semitism is on the upswing in many parts of Europe, Judaism and Jews are experiencing a renaissance in Italy. State support for Jews extends beyond helping to revive communities. The federal government helped finance the Italian translation of the first volume of the Talmud. Jewish food, including kosher food, is suddenly chic. Restaurants in Rome's Jewish ghetto are regularly packed. Kosher food and wine are now regularly featured at national food fairs and can be purchased at upscale stores throughout the country. Italian historians, archaeologists and anthropologists are hard at work to document the presence of Jews which dates back to the first century, following the Roman conquest of ancient Israel. Cooperative ventures between Italian and Israeli universities are underway as well. At the same time, anti-Semites are particularly active in northern cities like Milan and Turin. The country is also a landing point for Islamic immigrants, many of whom are openly anti-Semitic. The writer is a scholar at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.