In addition to the usual beauties of medieval Tuscan towns and countryside, Pitigliano has the unique legacy of a once glorious Jewish community: a perfectly restored synagogue overlooking the valley, the rooms of the ancient yeshiva, the mikvah, the bakery, the butcher's shop, a deep wine cellar excavated in the rocky hill, an old cemetery, a Jewish Film Festival, Kosher Wine production (both white and red) - and one of the two main streets of the old town is still in everyday life called "il ghetto".
Pitigliano was nicknamed "La Piccola Gerusalemme" (Little Jerusalem) because of its once large and thriving Jewish community and the shape and color of its hill and walls.
THE JEWISH INSTITUTE OF PITIGLIANO IN ASSOCIATION WITH LA PICCOLA GERUSALEMME RECENTLY PRESENTED AN EXHIBIT OF JEWISH BOOKS CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF PUBLISHING BY SALOMONE BELFORTE OF LIVORNO AND JEWISH TRADITIONAL CERAMICS BY MATATIA OF FAENZA.
THE COMUNE (MUNICIPALITY) OF PITIGLIANO RECENTLY INAUGURATED THE NEWLY RENOVATED PREMISES WHERE THE JEWISH MUSEUM IS LOCATED. IN AUGUST 2003, THE JEWISH INSTITUTE OF PITIGLIANO HAS DONATED A FACSIMILE OF A KETUBA (MARRIAGE CONTRACT) DATED 1714. THE ORIGINAL IS IN THE BNAI BRITH KLUTZNICK MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON DC.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANIZED PERIODICALLY IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA.
2003 and 2004
On March 5, 2003, a ceremony was held at the Municipality honoring six families of Pitigliano who helped save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. They received medals from the Ambassador of Israel and were honored as "Righteous Gentiles." In February, 2004, several other local families were again honored as "Righteous Gentiles" for their roles in sheltering the Jews of Pitigliano.
You will get full information by contacting Dr. Judith Roumani, the Director of the Institute.
For further details click here
