“The Jews are in Rome since II century b.c.e., so we have a very long history. Now many Roman Jews are going to live in Israel because of the financial crisis and because of the growing of the antisemitism.”
The Interviewee – Dr. Silvia Haia Antonucci (Born 1969) Responsible of the Historical Archives of the Jewish Community of Rome (ASCER) “Giancarlo Spizzichino”. I was born in and always lived in Rome. I graduated in Philosophy and Letters, in Archives Science, and Art.
I also work with the Jewish Museum of Rome and I am Journalist. I wrote books and articles and I give conferences in Italy and abroad about the History of the Jewish Community of Rome, Israel, Shoah and Jewish-Christian relationships. I was Vice-President of the Italy-Israel Association of Rome.
In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“The importance of the existence of the State of Israel for all the Jewish people is so great that there are no words to explain it! Just one thought: if there had been the State of Israel during the Second World War maybe we could have been 6 millions more…”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“All Jews are responsible towards each other, for this, of course I am committed to defend the future existence of Israel.”
Do you affiliate yourself with a specific confessional division in Judaism? What is your view regarding the dominance of the Orthodox division in Israel religious establishment?
“I am an Orthodox Jew. I think that the main problem in Judaism is that we do not have anymore a Maimonide or a Josef Caro, so there is not a new ‘Shulchan Aruch’ to organize and actualize all the Jewish laws; the risk is that everyone does what he wants and there is no common line, but the risk is also that some Rabbis think that they can impose to every Communities their line… I do not like both ways. I think that we really need a great Rabbi with a lot of courage, as it was, for example, Maimonide: today he is a great master, but at his time some Jews burned his books…”
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“Every man and groups of men are responsible for their own actions, but, of course, every Jew should do everything in his power to avoid bad actions and situations. So, I think that this is a wrong question.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“I am very sorry, but I do not know every Israelis so I cannot judge them! I do not like such a generalization.”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“Israel has Embassies in foreign countries, they try to show what Israel is really, against the wrong information that usually the media show in the Diaspora and I think that this is enough. Israel has too many problems inside of the country to do more.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“Yes.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“I do not live in Israel, but Israel is my home, I love it.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?
“The Jews are in Rome since II century b.c.e., so we have a very long history. Now many Roman Jews are going to live in Israel because of the financial crisis and because of the growing of the antisemitism.”
