June 4, 2012
Jewish celebration in Rome canceled to honor earthquake victims
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Roman Jews canceled an outdoor celebration at Rome’s main synagogue to honor the national day of mourning for the victims of last month’s earthquakes in northern Italy.
Quakes in the Emiglia-Romagna region on May 20 and May 30 killed at least 24 people, left thousands homeless and caused widespread damage to art and architectural heritage.
Monday’s celebration in Rome was to have marked the 68th anniversary of the 1944 reopening of Rome’s main synagogue after the liberation of Rome by allied forces. The ceremony was to have included military representatives from Italy, the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Poland, France, India and Israel.
The Italian Jewish community said it was working on plans to aid quake victims possibly by opening Jewish summer camp facilities to children victims and providing counseling and other medical and health care aid.
