3 Literary Treasures of The Jewish Museum of Rome

There’s something unique about the way authors of the Jewish community of Rome can take readers behind the parochet (curtain) of how their stories are told. Italian authors bring the same vigor and adroitness to the narratives of their cultural heritage. They turn the Jewish origins of their accounts into something educational, leading readers to view the telling of their unique history. 

Whether you’re looking for a visit, or simply seeking a greater understanding of Rome’s Jewish heritage culture, there’s plenty to learn from these fascinating literary works.

The Jewish Museum of Rome

Treasures Of The Jewish Museum Of Rome: Guide To The Museum And Its Collections (2016)

This is the first illustrated guide to the collection of the Jewish Museum of Rome. The objects photographed belong to the Museum’s magnificent collections. The catalog also describes how its content concerns a series of itineraries reflecting the museum exhibition, depicting the history of the Jewish community from its origins to modern times. The book is divided into themes explaining the basic cultural and religious aspects of Judaism and the rituals used in Rome. The book itself is a new step towards enhancing the cultural heritage of the Jewish community of Rome.

Antique Roman Mappot: The Precious Textile Archive of the Jewish Museum of Rome (2017)

This catalogue illustrates the artistic historical heritage of ancient mappot collections from the Jewish community of Rome. In the community’s museum, one of the most important collections of Jewish ceremonial textile artifacts in the world is preserved. The various mappot are the large wimples that wrap around the Pentateuch (Torah) scroll. They can be seen in the display cases and in the cabinet drawers arranged in the Textile Preservation room in the museum. Included in this marvelous collection are parochot, me’ilim, wimples, and tikkun tevah,  all of which were donated over four centuries, from the end of the 1500s to the end of the 1800s, to synagogues, by families forced to live in the Roman Ghetto.

Antique Roman Ketubot: The Marriage Contracts of the Jewish Community of Rome (2018)

This catalogue narrates the history of a collection of an interesting authentic Jewish Roman tradition, the artistically drafted and elegant marriage contracts ketubot. A close examination of these documents highlights connections among Jewish juridical traditions, general marriage customs, and the specificities of the Roman community. These specifics are explained by the meticulous studies accompanying the photographic documentation. The Jewish Museum of Rome houses and exhibits a rich collection of marriage contracts, ketubot, of the Roman Jewish community.

Upon request, scholars are permitted to examine the intricate fabrics textiles and the actual ketubot, which are extremely important for their aesthetic historical value. In addition, since so much of the content of these artifacts is predicated upon Roman Jewish religion, customs, and traditions, the museum offers private guided visits with museum educators. The didactic visits are designed to provide an in-depth historical overview,  as well as an understanding of the Jews of Rome fostered by a member of the community.

Brenda Lee Bohen

Brenda is a Latina and a proud Veteran of the United States Army Reserves. She holds dual citizenship in both the United States and Italy. She is a trained historic preservationist who tirelessly advocates the scholarship and history of the Jews of Rome. She has her certification in Jewish leadership and continues advanced studies at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. Brenda is also a licensed and accredited tour guide at the Jewish Museum of Rome and the Vatican Museums.

Read more blogs from Brenda: Jewish Rome

Sources

https://museoebraico.roma.it/en/

Treasures Of The Jewish Museum Of Rome: Guide To The Museum And Its Collections, by Daniela Di Castro. Araldo De Luca Editore, Rome 2010; reprinted 2016

 

Antique Roman Mappot: The Precious Textile Archive of the Jewish Museum of Rome, edited by Doretta Davanzo Poli, Olga Melasecchi, Amedeo Spagnoletto. Campisano Editore, Rome, 2017

 

Antique Roman Ketubot: The Marriage Contracts of the Jewish Community of Rome, edited by Olga Melasecchi, Amedeo Spagnoletto. Campisano Editore, Rome, 2018

 

 

 

 

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India. 

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio
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