With approximately a third of Italy’s Jewish population residing in the capital of Lombardi, Milan makes up the second largest Jewish community in Italy. With eight different synagogues, Jewish schools, and kosher restaurants, Milan is an exciting Jewish cultural destination for the Jewish traveler.
As in most Jewish communities in Italy, Jews first settled in Milan as moneylenders during the 14th century. They were expelled and subjected to restrictive laws several times over the following centuries before finally being allowed to settle in Milan in 1861, after the unification of Italy.
Today’s community includes a large number of Jews from the Middle East as well as those whose families have lived in Italy for generations. Your tour will take you through the various synagogue traditions that collectively make up the Milanese community. Though Milan does not boast as many historic sites as some other Italian cities, it supports a thriving Jewish cultural life in the present with Jewish magazines, kosher stores and restaurants, and a Jewish museum. Whether it’s the Sephardic tradition of the Jews who came to Italy from Spain, the ancient Italian tradition of the communities in Northern Italy or Rome, or the Persian tradition of the Iranian Jews who moved to Milan in more recent decades, experience contemporary Italian Jewish life with us!
Esther Nissim
Milan, Italy
+39-3472706316, WhatsApp available
etty.nissim@gmail.com
Join Esther for glimpse of Jewish Milan. Visit the Shoah memorial, known as “Binario 21” and enjoy a guided visit at the Milan’s Central Synagogue of Guastalla.
February 20, 2019