Rosh HaShanah Returns to Italy’s Ferramonti Concentration Camp where Jewish prisoners worshipped in one of three synagogues
The story of the Ferramonti Concentration Camp is a story of Jewish survival thanks to the efforts of Italian soldiers and local Italian villagers who worked together to save nearly 4,000 Jews in the dark days of World War II.
Located in southern Italy, in the province of Cosenza on the Calabria border, Ferramonti was a camp like none other. Families stayed together sleeping on individual cots with clean sheets. Parents sent their children to “cheder,” (Jewish school) where they learned Hebrew and practiced Jewish traditions.
In fact, amazingly within the camp itself there were three synagogues – Reform, Orthodox and one organized by the Zionist Betar group.
Certainly, Ferramonti was created as a holding facility where Jewish men, women and children were forced to live as prisoners, but in the face of the loss of freedom, the conditions in the camp attest to the humanity and compassion of the Italians who did all they could to help the Jewish internees maintain Jewish family life.
In honor of the role that righteous Italians played in saving the lives of thousands of Jews, Rabbi Barbara Aiello, Italy’s first woman rabbi, will offer a Rosh HaShanah experience in the camp itself. “This year marks 76 years since the last Rosh HaShanah service was held in one of the camp’s three synagogue,” says Rabbi Barbara, who will bring a service, “Shofar and Song” to the camp.
Join Rabbi Barbara and congregants from Sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud, Calabria’s first active synagogue in 500 years since Inquisition times, to hear the shofar and the traditional music that marks the Jewish High Holy Day season.
SPECIAL ROSH HASHANAH EXPERIENCE AT THE FERRAMONTI CAMP – “SHOFAR AND SONG,” – Saturday, September 26, 2020, 5- 7 pm – All are welcome as we honor the three synagogues in the Ferramonti Concentration Camp where Jews were able to observe Shabbat and holidays and the Italians who honored the traditions of the Jewish internees. For information and registration email: Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com
Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur Services with Rabbi Barbara in Calabria:
Join Rabbi Barbara for High Holy Days in Southern Italy – in the beautiful mountains of Calabria. We offer several Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur experiences in three different venues so that more of our members and friends can share the joy of the High Holy Days with us. Shanah Tovah for a happy and healthy 5781!
SUNDAY, SEPT 13, 2020 – Selichot
SELICHOT SERVICE WITH Rabbi Barbara and CELLIST JULIE CORNWALL – via ZOOM
Sunday, September 13, 2020 – 3:00 pm US Eastern Time / 9:00 pm Italy time
Music, Meditation, poetry, song and the shofar sounding – in preparation for the High Holidays.
NOTE: You must register for this service: Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 – Rosh HaShanah LECTURE
ROSH HASHANAH SEDER – VIRTUAL LECTURE AND DEMONSTRATION – Facebook LIVE
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 – 11:00 am US Eastern Time / 5:00 pm ITALY time
History, tradition and preparation for the Sephardic Rosh HaShanah tradition including the Rosh HaShanah seder plate.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 – Erev Rosh HaShanah, TWO SERVICES
EREV ROSH HASHANAH SERVICES – Facebook LIVE
Sunday, September 18, 2020 – TWO SERVICES: 5:00 pm US Eastern time / 5:00 pm ITALY time
Candle lighting and familiar melodies including Aveinu Malkeinu. Have your candles ready!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 – Rosh HaShanah First Day, TWO SERVICES
ROSH HASHANAH FIRST DAY with SHOFAR and TASHLICH SERVICE – Facebook LIVE
Saturday, September 19, 2020 – TWO SERVICES – 10:00 – 11:30 am US Eastern time / 10:00 – 11:30 am ITALY time
Have your fish crackers and bowl or tub of water at hand!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 – LIVE IN PERSON
SPECIAL ROSH HASHANAH EXPERIENCE AT THE FERRAMONTI CAMP – “SHOFAR AND SONG”
Saturday, September 26, 2020 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm LIVE and IN PERSON, NO virtual broadcast
Honoring the three synagogues in the Ferramonti Concentration Camp where Jews were able to observe Shabbat and holidays – Hebrew, English and Italian – Apples and Honey, of course! Masks and Social Distancing observed. NOTE: Reservations required. You must register for this service: Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 – Kol Nidre
KOL NIDRE – SERVICE WITH Rabbi Barbara and CELLIST JULIE CORNWALL – via ZOOM
Sunday, September 27, 2020 – 5:00 pm US Eastern time / 11:00 pm ITALY time
NOTE: Candle lighting and wearing tallit and kipot if your choose. NOTE: You must register for this service: Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 Yom Kippur, TWO SERVICES
YOM KIPPUR SERVICE WITH YISKOR MEMORIAL PRAYERS – Facebook LIVE
Monday, September 28, 2020, TWO SERVICES – 10:00 – 11:30 am US Eastern time / 10:00 – 11:30 am ITALY time
We honor our loved ones who have gone before.
