Jewish Museum of Rome
The Jewish Museum of Rome is situated in the basement of the Great Synagogue of Rome and offers both information on the Jewish presence in Rome since the second century BCE and a large collection of works of art produced by the Jewish community. A visit to the museum includes a guided tour of the Great Synagogue and of the smaller Spanish Synagogue (Italian: Tempio Spagnolo) in the same complex.
The exhibition
The Roman era
The museum traces the history of the Jews and, in particular, their relationship with Rome. This goes back to the time of Judas Maccabeus who, in the mid-2nd century BCE, petitioned Rome for help in opposing the Hellenistic Kings to restore Jewish worship in Jerusalem. According to tradition the two ambassadors sent to petition the Roman Senate were received by Jews already living in Rome. In 63 BCE, Judea was conquered by Pompey and in 70 CE it was annexed to the Roman Empire by Vespasian and Titus after the First Jewish–Roman War. This resulted in many Jews coming to Rome, particularly as slaves. During the Imperial period there were said to have been as many as twelve synagogues in the city. Archaeological evidence comes from two Jewish catacombs at Villa Torlonia and Vigna Randanini. The museum displays plaster casts of catacomb tombstones presently held in the National Roman Museum and other museums in Rome.
The Middle Ages
From the 4th century CE Jews spread throughout Europe and were often forced to leave areas in which they had settled. In 1492 all Jews were expelled from Spain. Others were expelled from southern Italy, and central and northern Europe. Many refugees made their way to Rome. There was therefore a diversity of Jewish traditions in the city and these are well represented in the museum’s collection of manuscripts and printed documents as Rome was a noted centre for the production of manuscripts.
The Ghetto
Despite implementing many restrictions, Rome is the only city in Europe never to expel Jews.However, by the early 16th century Jews represented about one-thirteenth of Rome’s population and efforts were made to convert them. As well, copies of the Talmud were burnt. This culminated in 1555 when a Papal Bull established the Ghetto, which continued in existence until 1870. The museum has considerable documentation and illustrations from this period.
Abolition of the Ghetto
The museum provides interesting illustrations of changes after Italian Unification in 1870 to the area occupied by the Ghetto, and traces the steps taken to develop the Great Synagogue. Rome’s was the last European ghetto to be abolished.
Fascism and the German Occupation
In 1938, Mussolini and King Victor Emmanuel III, under the influence of Adolf Hitler, signed laws known as the “Defence of the Race”, which removed all civil rights from Jews in Italy and forced them to leave government posts. A number of newspapers and magazines of the time are exhibited. Subsequently the Jews experienced further persecution, with shops being raided and some people having to undergo forced labour. Following the overthrow of Mussolini and the Italian armistice with the Allies in September 1943, the Germans occupied Rome. The Jewish Community was told that it would be left alone if it handed over 50kg of gold. Examples of receipts given to those who contributed, including non-Jews, are on display, together with files held on Jews in the SS Headquarters. The “agreement” was not honoured, however, and on 16 October 1943 the Germans rounded up and deported around 2000 people to concentration camps, few of whom returned. The museum records this, as well as the Ardeatine Massacre when Jews and others were murdered in retaliation for a resistance attack on German troops.
The five synagogues
Many of the exhibits come from the building housing five synagogues (Cinque Scole), that was torn down in 1908. These include curtains, inlays, marble slabs and chandeliers. Other items were preserved in the Spanish Synagogue. Photos of the former synagogues are also displayed.
Jewish Museum of Rome | eTips Inc.
