Italian and Jewish Cultural Connections

Analysis of Sources on Italian Jewish History and a Networking Event Sources: Excerpts from "Italian & Jewish Networking Night: Cultural Connections" and Quora posts by Shayn, Andrew B, Klatsky, and Lenihan.Executive Summary:This briefing document analyzes several sources discussing the historical connections between Italian and Jewish cultures, focusing on the distinct identity of Italian Jews (specifically the Italkim) and the upcoming "Italian & Jewish Networking Night" event. The sources highlight the long history of Jews in Italy, predating the Ashkenazi and Sephardi diasporas, and emphasize the unique customs and traditions of the Italkim. The networking event aims to celebrate these connections and the diverse expressions of Jewish and Italian identities.Main Themes and Key Ideas:

1. The "Italian & Jewish Networking Night": A Celebration of Shared Culture:

• The event is described as a "fun light hearted networking party" intended to bring together Italian and Jewish cultures.
• The organizers playfully reference the blending of these cultures with titles like "Pizza Bagel" and "Kosher Nostra."
• The event will feature culturally relevant food and beverages, such as "pizza," "bagels," and "various kosher adult beverages," alongside "fun cultural networking."
• The event acknowledges the diversity within these groups, referencing "the one culture and a multitude of variations" and individuals who are "half and half" or "the original Italkim."

1. The Distinct Identity of Italian Jews (Italkim):

• The term "Italkim" can have two meanings: all Italian Jews or a specific, ancient Jewish group. The networking event seems to focus on this specific group.
• The Italkim are described as "essentially the antecedents to Ashkenazi Jews, who moved through Italy by way of the Roman Empire on their way to Central Europe."
• "Ashkenazi Jews are descended from an Italian/Southern European female line, and a Middle Eastern male line." (Shayn)
• The Italkim are one of the "oldest European diaspora communities" with a "very old rabbinic tradition" that predates the Ashkenazim. (Shayn)
• They possess a unique "nusach (prayer rite) that differs from all other Jewish liturgies" and historically spoke a specific "variety of Judeo-Italian." (Shayn)
• The "old Italian Jewish community that goes back to ancient times has its own customs, called Italki, that are neither Ashkenaz or Sephardic, although they are closer to Ashkenaz, which started as an offshoot of the Italian community." (Klatsky)

1. Relationship to Other Jewish Traditions (Ashkenazi and Sephardi):

• Ashkenazi Jews are believed to be descended from Italian Jews who migrated to France (Tzarfat) and then Germany (Ashkenaz). "The Ashkenazic Jews are probably descendants of Italian Jews sent to Germany by Charlemagne in the 800's." (Lenihan)
• While the Italki nusach is distinct, it is noted that it is "quite familiar to pretty much any Orthodox Jew" with "a few minor differences from both Sefardi and Ashkenazi customs" that are "extremely minor and easy to adapt to." (Shayn)
• Italy has absorbed both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews over time, often forming their own synagogues or assimilating into the local Italian Jewish customs. "When whole communities moved to Italy, they usually brought their customs with them and started their own synagogues, otherwise they were mostly assimilated into the Italian community and adopted the local Italian Jewish customs." (Shayn)
• "Some families that were forced out of Spain in 1492 arrived to Italy and settled here, for example." (Andrew B) This influx of Sephardic Jews led to them becoming the majority in some communities, like the historic Jewish community of Rome. "The historic Jewish community of Rome, about 5,000 people, was 70% Sephardic from the sixteenth century on." (Klatsky)