tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32414509.post3399556648207161966..comments2024-03-25T00:15:56.707-06:00Comments on Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog: Sicily: The ancient mikveh of SiracusaSchelly Talalay Dardashtihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930641777765846278noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32414509.post-14601703679617883792008-10-03T00:14:00.000-06:002008-10-03T00:14:00.000-06:00I was interested to discover that the tour guide w...I was interested to discover that the tour guide was an American Christian who knew very little about the baths other than was contained in the flyer. I commented that it was odd not to have a Jewish guide and she answered that 'there are no Jews in Sicily'. <BR/><BR/>That was when i discovered all the Jews (and Muslims) had been expelled from Spanish possessions in 1492/93. The Sicilians wrote heated protest notes to Isabella, arguing that Jewish Sicilians neither proselytised nor operated as money lenders, that they were a great asset to Sicily and the Sicilians absolutely did not want them to go. The Queen thereupon gave the Jews a year of grace. That was why they left in 1493 when Jews in Spanish possessions elsewhere had to go in 1492. In the 18th century when the Medici invited Jewish communities to settle Livorno, offering them a charter of municipal autonomy, and allowing them every freedom possible (other than marrying Christians), the Sicilians asked Jewish communities to return to Sicily, but none came. Those who departed kept the names of the places where they came from, the "Ortigia" community coming from Siracusa. The amazing thing is that until the baths were discovered, no Sicilians were aware that they had had a sizable Jewish community for 1500 years. The story is not told in schools. Why would it be? The inquisition was already more than 200 years old in Sicily in 1492 and the Church of Rome was intent on ridding itself of religious competition, today enjoying a 'brand' dominance any modern corporation could never dream of emulating. If the Jews had remained in Sicily, more than likely Sicily would be a modern capitalist economy instead of the economic shambles it is, with unemployment at a norm of 25 per cent, and schooling focused on superstition instead of science.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32414509.post-50715902228643339842008-03-28T16:02:00.000-06:002008-03-28T16:02:00.000-06:00Read the article re: mikvah and the ancient site i...Read the article re: mikvah and the ancient site in Siracusa - wow! - going with friends to siciliy early may 2008 - we're jewish and our travel agent suggested we try to view this preserved treasure. I am thrilled to have found this piece - can't wait to go!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32414509.post-14368606311119864672008-03-27T09:35:00.000-06:002008-03-27T09:35:00.000-06:00I was really entertained and educated by this piec...I was really entertained and educated by this piece. Well researched and informative.<BR/>I am Alon's aunt, Guilda, and my email to you bounced back. I wonder if among all the vast info that you have on Jewish culture, you would be able to help me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com