PALERMO, Sicily — More than 500 years after the Jews were expelled from Sicily, a tiny Jewish community opened its first synagogue in the island’s capital city of Palermo.
At an official ceremony held Jan. 12 the Catholic Archdiocese of Palermo transfered to the Jewish community a chapel, the Oratory of Santa Maria al Sabato, which was built above the ruins of the Great Synagogue that once stood in the center of Palermo.
The Sicilian Institute of Jewish Studies and a Jerusalem-based organization, Shavei Israel, requested the transfer. It formally took place on the anniversary of the decree that demanded the expulsion of Jews from Sicily during the Spanish Inquisition: Jan. 12, 1493. Sicily at the time was ruled directly by the kings of Spain via governors and viceroys.
Archbishop of Palermo Corrado Lorefice described the initiative as a “gesture of hope” designed to build dialogue between Catholics and Jews.
Shavei Israel, which is committed to rebuilding Jewish communities around the world and reinforcing their links with Israel, said the Palermo synagogue would revitalize the local community.
The synagogue, which includes a study center (Beit Midrash) and a Jewish heritage center, is operated primarily by Shavei Israel and overseen by Rabbi Pinhas Punturello, the former chief rabbi of Naples. (RNS)
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