the History of Jews in Sicily: from the fall of jerusalem to THE present

For centuries, Sicily has been a melting pot of cultures and civilizations. Each has left a unique mark on the land and its people.

Among the many groups that have made Sicily their home over the centuries are the Jews. They arrived on the island as early as the 6th century BC.

Despite facing periods of persecution and expulsion, the Jewish community in Sicily persevered. They left behind a rich cultural legacy that still goes on today.

Throughout their history, Jewish people have faced countless challenges. The history of Jews in Sicily is a testament to the resilience and creativity of their people.

Harmonious Living on a Multicultural Island

The history of the Jews in Sicily begins with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. At that time, the Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Captured Jews were transported as slaves to Sicily.

The descendants of the slaves settled on the island. The Arabs conquered Sicily in 831. At that time the Jewish tradition got mixed with Arab traditions.

The Arabs treated the Jews with respect, which encouraged cooperation. At that time, the language of Sicilian Jews began to resemble Arabic more than Hebrew.

Jewish culture got mixed with Arab traditions. This is why there is little evidence of Jewish history in Sicily.

Traces of Jewish culture remain in, for example, traditional dishes. However, the difference between Arab traditions is difficult to distinguish.

According to some, even the famous Italian pizza was first invented by the Jews. Or that they were at least partly responsible for its invention.

Actually, there are two theories. One is that pizza has its origins in the cookie-sized pizza-like pastries. Jewish children ate these in the Roman Empire.

The other theory is that pizza origins from the traditional Jewish bread. Roman soldiers added cheese and olive oil to this, and voila, pizza was born.

Either way, the Jews played an important role in the first Christian millennium in Sicily. Coexistence remained mostly harmonious even after the Norman invasion of Sicily in 1072.

The Jews were free to practice their religion in peace. Many of them engaged in trade. Some also defended Sicily by fighting alongside the Normans.

The Troubles of the Jews in Sicily Begin

This harmonious coexistence came to an end in 1194. In that year Sicily fell into the hands of the Hohenstaufen dynasty.

The Hohenstaufens ruled the entire Holy Roman Empire at that time. They had close relations with the Catholic Church and its Pope.

They also assisted the Crusaders.

Adam and Eve, as seen by Salvador Dali.

The first problems for the Jews of Sicily came from the Crusaders. They began to persecute them. This did not persuade them to leave their homeland.

The ruling King Frederick tried to help the situation. Still, times started to change for the worse.

The happy days of coexistence with the Arabs and Normans were a thing of the past. The future didn't look too bright for the Jews - either in Sicily or elsewhere in Europe.

The Oppression Begins

The next time the situation deteriorated two hundred years later. It was then that Frederick's grandson Frederick III began to rule Sicily.

Systematic persecution of the Jews began. In many ways, this resembles the events of half a millennium later, in Nazi Germany.

Jews were forbidden all relations with Christians. They were also forced to wear the star of the six-pointed star as a sign of their religion. And they had to move to their own ghettos.

Serious persecutions were carried out, particularly in Erice, Catania, and Syracuse.

Later, Jews were also banned from practicing their religion. In Marsala, people forced them to attend Christian festivals - and stoned them on their way home.

The situation was grim. Still, it was better for Jews in Sicily than in many other European countries at that time.

Expulsion of Jews from Sicily by the Inquisition

There were around 30,000 Jews on the island at this point. This means that they accounted for 10% of the total population.

Unfortunately, Sicily changed hands once again. Now the King of Spain took over. And with him came the Spanish Inquisition. In 1493 the Spanish expelled the Jews from Sicily.

Before the expulsion, the crown confiscated their property. Some managed to escape before the confiscation order. Others remained on the island and converted to Christianity.

Around 8,000 Jews remained in Sicily and converted to Christianity. This did not mean that they became equal to other Christians.

The Inquisition observed the converts' religious practices. Suspected fraud was punished with imprisonment, slavery, or loss of property. Sometimes even burning at the stake.

The Modern-Day Jewish Community in Sicily

Over the centuries the influence of the Inquisition diminished. Finally, in 1741, the King of Naples, Charles III, invited the Jews back to Sicily.

The call went unanswered. The Jews had already settled elsewhere.

It was only in 2008 - more than five hundred years after the expulsion - that the first synagogue was opened in Sicily. Thanks for this goes to the American-Italian Rabbi Stefano Di Mauro. The synagogue is on the site of an old Jewish quarter in Syracuse.

An old Jewish ritual bath also remains in Syracuse. It is the oldest and largest Jewish bath in Europe.

The baths lie under a hotel. Tours are organized daily.

Another Jewish baths is in Palermo, below Palazzo Marches in the old centre. This place is only open to the public a couple of times a year.

In 2011 the Synagoga was also opened in Palermo. A small Jewish community has begun operating there after a five hundred year absence.

Conclusion: Preserving the Legacy of Sicilian Jews

The history of the Jews in Sicily is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the people.

Today, there is a growing awareness of the importance of preserving the legacy of Jews in Sicily.

Jewish sites and monuments have been restored. This way, Sicily is reconnecting with this part of its history.

In the future, we should continue to honor and celebrate the contributions of the Jews in Sicily. That way, it is possible to ensure that their legacy lives on.

the History of Jews in Sicily: from the fall of jerusalem to THE present

Harmonious Living on a Multicultural Island

The Troubles of the Jews in Sicily Begin

The Oppression Begins

Expulsion of Jews from Sicily by the Inquisition

The Modern-Day Jewish Community in Sicily

Conclusion: Preserving the Legacy of Sicilian Jews

Further Reading:

Recent Articles

Exploring the Honeymoon in Sicily - A Romance to Last a Lifetime

Sicilian Culture: A Journey through History, Art, and Cuisine

Etna Mountain - The Fiery Heart of Sicily