<,‘ :.-gations or practicing rabbis here. And, unlike the system of congrega- tions in the United States, Italy, like other European countries, has a kehilla system. One joins the kehilla, or local com- munity, not a congregation — and those not recognized as Jewish by the Orthodox rabbinate are excluded. Just the same, most Italian Jews are 4.ot observant and even Orthodox Jews are traditionally highly accultur- ated, with a strong Italian identity. The rate of intermarriage is 50 percent or more. The conversion issue, however, reflected more widespread strains, based on mounting concern among rabbis and others that secular Jews had \-1--Ist sight of what it meant to be Jewish. "At root is a widespread and advanced loss of Jewish identity, in religious, family and social terms," Rabbi Giuseppe Laras, president of Italy's Rabbinical Assembly, told the Union's congress. Jewish continuity, he warned, was under threat. In recent years, some younger peo- '3le who returned to Orthodox obser- vance became militant in criticizing Jews who were less stringent in their observance. These new Orthodox were in turn branded as "fundamentalists" by secular Jews. Adding to the complications has been the Italian Jewish community's unique status in Europe, both for its antiquity and for the divergent ele- rnents within such small numbers. Jews have lived in Rome for more than 2,000 years, making theirs the oldest continuous Jewish community outside the Holy Land. "We lived in Rome long before Lubavitch existed and long before Polish Jews knew there was a Poland," said Franco Pavoncello, a board mem- ber of Rome's Jewish community. Today, about 15,000 Jews live in Rome, and about 10,000 in Milan. Some Italian Jews have expressed the fear that the historic character of their community, with its tradition of integration, is under siege. In an arti- cle published in April, the man who will soon head Italian Jewry made clear he felt that Italian Jews must learn to coexist in a flexible unity. "There should be a dialogue among everyone," Luzzato wrote in a Jewish magazine. He appealed for a situation "where the rabbinate is not divided into opposing Orthodox and liberal, but is one sole entity, and is, with this, quite flexible." — Wiffn im Ilm‘saungsgsgagganment,,,,, \— Plus tax. title & plate, all rebates to dealer ‘..%asns.U4.": V,,SKONVA%vawasoKaoh, s ir: I : 4-5558 1' WE'RE THERE FOR You. Our Beth Hayeled Nursery School Students ... Are a Step Ahead. O ur professional, loving staff can guide your children on their road to success through early mensch-making, holiday-savoring and growth experiences to nurture their Jewish life. Beth Hayeled is located at the B'nai Israel Center/Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Parenting Center, and our Southfield campus. For Membership Information Call Mark Bello (248) 357-5544 Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield Irving & Beverly Laker B'nai Israel Center Eugene & Marcia Education and Youth Complex Applebaum Jewish Parenting Center THE SHAAREY ZEDEK FAMIIX n 9 a Fr ole & Air Condithming Ask about our Preventive Maintenance P Check out the Painters and Wallpaper Hanger, in our Marketplam;, Home and Service Guide -111111111111111111111I111111111 II 24 Hour Emergency Service 30 Vehicles • Radio Dispatch Ql u Installation. 7/31 1998 t Deiroil jewisii News gala