Dialogo ebraico, second episode

Overwhelmed by an Unusual Destiny: What Future for Italian Jews? is the title of the second Dialogo ebraico meeting held in Florence (with the option of remote participation) last Sunday, November 23. After a morning with pre-scheduled speakers (Miriam Camerini, Stefano Levi Della Torre, Rabbi Michael Ascoli, Daniela Gean, and the young—though somewhat reluctant to be called such—Talia Bidussa and Riccardo Correggia), the afternoon was open to free discussion among all those who wished to speak. It’s impossible to list them all, and even more impossible to even summarize what each speaker said.
Dialogo ebraico succeeded in its challenge of at least getting these distant worlds, often unfamiliar with one another and filled with mutual prejudices, to speak to one another, sometimes with harsh tones and significant disagreements: different levels of observance, different ways of understanding Jewish identity, different ideas of community—Orthodox or otherwise—different opinions on what the relationship between Israel and the diaspora should be.
Participants included people active in the Jewish Communities and the UCEI, members of non-Orthodox Jewish organizations, and representatives of groups such as LƏa – Laboratorio Ebraico Antirazzista (Jewish Anti-Racist Laboratory) and Mai Indifferenti. Jewish Voices for Peace. Present throughout the day were Rabbi Joseph Levi, former Chief Rabbi of Florence, and his wife, Shulamit Furstenberg, who brought the experience of the left-wing religious group Smol Emuni (Left of Faith).
All, or almost all, self-described left-wingers, critical of the current Israeli government, and calling for more inclusive Jewish communities, more capable of internal dialogue. These three common denominators would once have been enough for everyone to feel part of a united, albeit non-monolithic, front, to feel somehow on the same side.
Today, we know that this is unfortunately no longer the case, and although the diversity of the day’s participants is already almost miraculous, I personally believe it will be possible to involve an even greater number of people in the future.
Inevitably, one of the issues that sparked the greatest differences of opinion and the most serious instances of disrespect for those speaking was Israel. In my opinion, some struggle to understand that publicly denouncing anti-Semitism or the atrocities of October 7th, defending Israel’s right to exist, or even expressing doubts about information coming almost exclusively from Hamas, does not at all mean unconditional approval of everything the current Israeli government does.
On the other hand, it’s clear that our Communities have serious problems with a lack of dialogue and a refusal to accept those with differing opinions. In particular, I believe it’s serious not to recognize the good faith of those who feel compelled to publicly present themselves as Jews who criticize Israel.
Another very significant issue, which was the specific theme of the day, is the model of Community we seek, and consequently the relationship we should have with Jewish Communities and the UCEI: should we stay outside, assuming they are all intolerant, incapable of dialogue, and unfit to be a welcoming home for all Jews? Should we stay inside, participate in elections, join Councils, and try to change things from within to create a more dialogue-oriented and inclusive Community and Union? On these issues, not only differences of opinion emerged, but also very different perceptions and experiences, clearly stemming from the differences between the Italian Communities. Some believe it is absolutely essential to act within the existing Communities and not give up the opportunity to have a voice and influence, obviously referring to the elections for the UCEI Council that will be held on December 14th in Rome, Milan, and Livorno (I remind you that the Councilors of the other Communities, including ours, will be appointed by their respective Councils). There are those who, however, completely reject the current model of an exclusively Orthodox official Judaism and believe it can in no way be a home for all Jews.
It is important, however, that Jewish institutions be truly democratic: Daniela Ovadia rightly stated that the performance of democracy is the death of democracy.
For Judaism, it is more important to ask questions than to provide answers, Marta Levi reminded us toward the end of the day. And from this perspective, the second meeting of Dialogo ebraico was undoubtedly a success. Further meetings on more specific topics are planned for 2026.

Anna Segre