| © 2008 Rabbi Barbara Aiello, All rights reserved. |
Rabbi Barbara Aiello
Italian Jewish Roots Conference 2008 • What We Learned
Italian Jewish Roots Conference
Tuesday’s keynote speaker, Rabbi Frank Tamburello, shared his fascinating journey
from Catholic priest to Jew by Choice to ordained rabbi. Rabbi Frank shared customs
his Sicilian family heritage that are steeped in ancient Jewish traditions. As he
discovered and embraced his Jewish roots from his family home in Trapani (also his
grandmother’s surname, no doubt adopted from the large Jewish community in
Trapani), Rabbi Frank learned that what was passed on as superstition was in fact a way
for Jews under siege and in hiding to maintain their Jewishness.
Rabbi Frank says, “If anyone in your Sicilian family did any of
these things, there is a good chance that you have Jewish roots!”
from Catholic priest to Jew by Choice to ordained rabbi. Rabbi Frank shared customs
his Sicilian family heritage that are steeped in ancient Jewish traditions. As he
discovered and embraced his Jewish roots from his family home in Trapani (also his
grandmother’s surname, no doubt adopted from the large Jewish community in
Trapani), Rabbi Frank learned that what was passed on as superstition was in fact a way
for Jews under siege and in hiding to maintain their Jewishness.
Rabbi Frank says, “If anyone in your Sicilian family did any of
these things, there is a good chance that you have Jewish roots!”
- When you pass a church or a sacred object you point toward the object and kiss
your hand (reminiscent of the tradition of touching and kissing the mezuzah)
- When you enter a new home bring bread, salt, and a broom. (From the Jewish
tradition of the Shabbat HaMotzi, or Sabbath blessing. Bread is dipped in salt – a
Shabbat tradition and the broom is a reminder of how to sweep the new house –
always toward the middle of the floor and never toward the door, where the
mezuzah is located)
- When a piece of bread falls on the floor, kiss it – Challah, or bread for the Jewish
Sabbath is considered holy and often it is kissed before it is eaten.
- Use a red ribbon to ward away the evil eye. Sometimes the red ribbon it is looped
on the door hinge, placed above the baby’s cradle or tied around a pregnant
woman's belly to prevent miscarriage – all these are traditions dating back to the
time of the Kaballah and the influence of Mediterranean Jewish mystics.
- Never place a cross on a gravestone (which gave Jews a reason to mark their
graves without using Christian symbols)
- Plaster statues of saints are bad luck (allowing Jews a legitimate reason for not
venerating Catholic saints)
Rabbi Barbara Aiello's
Rabbi Frank Tamburello
Elise Friedman
Computer engineer and genealogist by avocation, Elise Friedman is volunteer leader of
a DNA search group tracing Jewish roots in Belarus. Elise’s work is part of a larger
project undertaken by Dr. Bennett Greenspan, founder of Family Tree DNA (www.
familytreedna.com) which holds the distinction of having the largest DNA Jewish data
base worldwide. Elise compared her findings to what conference participants could
learn about family genetic history and how to apply that information to a search for
Italian Jewish roots.
a DNA search group tracing Jewish roots in Belarus. Elise’s work is part of a larger
project undertaken by Dr. Bennett Greenspan, founder of Family Tree DNA (www.
familytreedna.com) which holds the distinction of having the largest DNA Jewish data
base worldwide. Elise compared her findings to what conference participants could
learn about family genetic history and how to apply that information to a search for
Italian Jewish roots.
Kim Sheintal's enthusiasm for searching and finding evidence of Jewish ancestry
makes her the Sherlock Holmes and Double O Seven of Jewish genealogy all rolled into
one lively professional. Kim’s message was uncomplicated and to the point. “Just get
started,” she said. “There are lots of ways to begin and lots of search engines to power
your inquiry.” Kim used the pedigree chart to demonstrate the importance of
organizing family names and dates and motivated each participant to start looking.
makes her the Sherlock Holmes and Double O Seven of Jewish genealogy all rolled into
one lively professional. Kim’s message was uncomplicated and to the point. “Just get
started,” she said. “There are lots of ways to begin and lots of search engines to power
your inquiry.” Kim used the pedigree chart to demonstrate the importance of
organizing family names and dates and motivated each participant to start looking.
Kim Sheintal
Sharing the work of two dedicated Italians - historian Vincenzo Villella and archivist
Nardo Bonomi (Braverman), Rabbi Barbara Aiello combined their data with her own
personal story of uncovering the Italian Jewish roots of her Calabrian and Sicilian
families. Noting that reseach indicates a strong Jewish presence (some say 50% or
more of the population before Inquisition times), Rabbi Barbara connected current
traditions with a long lost Jewish past. In the photos below, Rabbi Barbara is wearing
what many believe is the remnant of the Jewish prayer shawl or “tallit” that is still
crafted by hand today in the tiny village of Tiriolo where historians document that a
thriving Jewish community once existed directly above the piazza (or town square).
Nardo Bonomi (Braverman), Rabbi Barbara Aiello combined their data with her own
personal story of uncovering the Italian Jewish roots of her Calabrian and Sicilian
families. Noting that reseach indicates a strong Jewish presence (some say 50% or
more of the population before Inquisition times), Rabbi Barbara connected current
traditions with a long lost Jewish past. In the photos below, Rabbi Barbara is wearing
what many believe is the remnant of the Jewish prayer shawl or “tallit” that is still
crafted by hand today in the tiny village of Tiriolo where historians document that a
thriving Jewish community once existed directly above the piazza (or town square).
Rabbi Barbara Aiello
Celebrating Shabbat
The Italian Jewish Roots Conference concluded with an opportunity for participants to
experience Shabbat. Using the traditional Italian “third candle” to kindle the lights of
Shabbat, Rabbis Aiello and Tamburello gently led participants through the Friday night
family ritual that has remained central to Jewish families since ancient times. Singing
the candle blessing in a familiar Italian melody, Rabbi Barbara encouraged the group to
continue to explore, learn and grow.
experience Shabbat. Using the traditional Italian “third candle” to kindle the lights of
Shabbat, Rabbis Aiello and Tamburello gently led participants through the Friday night
family ritual that has remained central to Jewish families since ancient times. Singing
the candle blessing in a familiar Italian melody, Rabbi Barbara encouraged the group to
continue to explore, learn and grow.
| What We Learned |
