Ucei, 'our young people are afraid, today more than ever live with their heads held high'

Anti-Semitism has been cleared through customs without even the need to mask it with anti-Zionism.

Our greatest concern is now turned to our young people. Today they feel in danger simply for wearing a kippa on the street or a chain with the Star of David. They risk being discriminated against in the places responsible for their education, such as schools and universities". These are the words of the president of the Ucei Livia Ottolenghi speaking this evening in memory of the attack of 7 October 2023 and the attack on the Synagogue of Rome on 9 October 1982, at the Tempio Maggiore of the Capital. "It is precisely to these young people that we must give a strong response. Today more than ever, we must recover and reclaim our pride in being Jews. We must not take steps back out of fear. We must not hide our identity - he added - Live with our heads held high, proud of our history, our culture and our values: October 7th requires us to do so."

"Today, with a total reversal of perspective, in a collective imagination we have moved from the role of victims to that of executioners, we are pointed out as supporters and accomplices of a regime considered criminal. If before they looked for us, today many avoid us and feel embarrassed by our presence. And any taboo on anti-Semitism, which rages everywhere, has fallen.

Each of us can talk about how many personal friendships have ended in these last months, how difficult it is to maintain respectful relationships at all levels", said the Chief Rabbi of Rome Riccardo Di Segni, speaking at the commemoration.

"Even if, and we must underline this with affection and gratitude, even if we have been isolated, we have never been completely alone and we know that in the surrounding world there are those who continue to appreciate and love us for who we are. For what we are, precisely, and not for what we should be in distorted visions on one side and the other", he added.