Italian Jews and Their Communities

Catalog description

The presence of Jewish communities on the Italian peninsula dates back to Roman times. Jewish communities have constantly followed a pattern of northbound expansion or, more often, migration. This course showcases moments in this millennial history, analyzing the historical context of some of the major literary contributions Jewish communities provided across centuries, moving from the medieval South to 20th century, Fascist and Nazi-occupied Northern Italy. Primary sources include readings from Benjamin of Tudela, the Ahimaz scroll, Immanuel Romano, Bassani, and Levi. Secondary sources include readings from Baron, Bonfil, Chazan, Roth.