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Naples’ Ancient Giudecca, 500 hundred years after

“A soul that had never been lost”

בית ספרד

In Naples’ Ancient Jewish Quarter , San Lorenzo, near San Gennaro all’Olmo in Via San Gregorio Armeno, on December 16th, a Chanukka Menorah glittered again after 500 years. The young Yosef lit the candles for the first time in front of a large audience gathered at the Celebration and for the 5773 Chanukka Concert . The district headquarters, once residence of a flourishing Sephardic Jewish Community, still retains traces of Jewish customs, although often the same people are not familiar with the Jewish origins, however are aware that have connections with Spain.

Even passers attended the celebration and traders to observe the ignition off immediately all Christmas Music that had turned into shops. A Thrilling experience which has shown how a Menorah is still a source of respect and joy for all, and that basically the Jewish soul in this district had never been lost. With the “Nerli” singing tune, the crowd gathered even closer to the Menorah while a silence spread thoruthout the street as both traders and passers-by alongside with those who came to the Celebration, got enchanted by the light and carefully listened to the message of Rabbi Barbara Irit Aiello read by Yosef. A wonderful participation so appreciated and shared, shows that many, even those who do not know to have Jewish origins, may have a desire to rediscover them. It is just fortunate that this Old Jewish Quarter can find its own memories, and traditions once again. We are aware of how much Spanish Sephardim have suffered with huge persecutions, however their tradions, for how much fragmented still reside in its Old Quarter.

Chanukka’ Menorah after 500 hunedred years

People at the Menorah Celebration

Menorah Blessings

5773 Chanukka Concert

Sepharad Trio

בית ספרד

About the Author

Yael Amato is an Italian violinist who has worked with such major musicians as Tibor Varga, Igor Oistrach, Emanuel Hurwitz, Eiluned Davies and Beatrice Antonioni. As a soloist she has performed in Europe and Italy in the most renowned concert halls, recording for Italian National Radio and TV, Radio Suisse Romande and BBC. She led the Martucci Orchestra at the age of seventeen and the following year became leader of the Martucci Piano Trio, and first violin in the early music ensemble Cappella della Pietà de' Turchini led by Antonio Florio. She was assistant to the late Italian Concert Violinist Beatrice Antonioni at Cava de Tirreni Masterclass, with whom she started the Sirenide Project promoting the Ensemble Sirenide and Zelter Ensembles.[1] In October 2009 she played for the commemoration concert leading and conducting the Camerata Zelter with the participation of the brother Giovanni Antonioni . Promoter of modern and inedited Composers from 2006 started research-based performance with a series of concerts with Zelter Trio and Zelter Quartet, and Sefarad Trio with whom is active on a research on Jewish Music with particular interest on Sefardi-Ladino Music as well as Classical Jewish Composers, like Bloch, Perlmann, Bruch and Goodman