Dalida`: The Extraordinary Singer’s Calabrian Jewish Roots

Dalida` - As a “Bat Anousim” she was “I nostri”  - “one of us.”

Although she was born Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, when it came time to select a stage name, she chose “Dalida`,” from the Hebrew for “delight.” And, as Dalida` she became one of the world’s most beloved performers, singing and recording in more than ten languages, including Hebrew.

What is Dalida’s Calabrian Jewish connection?  Her parents, Pietro and Giuseppina were born right here in Serrastretta with the surname “Gigliotti,” a local name  recognized as Jewish  from Inquisition times. In addition it was  “nonno Enrico,” Dalida’s grandfather, who professed Algerian Jewish roots – all of which lead to Dalida’s place of honor in the hearts of Calabrian Jews and of B’nei Anousim everywhere.

Dalida’ was born in Egypt after her parents settled there, a move they made so that her father could pursue his career as a concert violinist. Dalida’ spent her early years in Egypt’s bustling Italian Egyptian community, but she lived most of her adult life in France.

Dalida’ career spanned 30 years with a debut in 1956 and a final recording in 1986, just months before her untimely death. Known throughout Europe and Asia for her sultry voice and thoughtful lyrics, Dalida` is credited for bringing the first ethnic fusion hit to the contemporary music scene. “Salma ya Salama,” based on a traditional Egyptian folk song, was translated into French, Italian and German and sung around the world.

American appreciation of Dalida’ soared after her critically acclaimed Broadway-themed show at Carnegie Hall in New York City, but we Serrastrettesi remember her for the concert she brought to her home town in the 1970’s.

Dalida’s performance of Hava Nagila earned her acclaim early in her career. When asked about why she chose a Hebrew melody, Dalida’ told the audience that the melody was in her blood.  

This year the Serrastretta community remembered Dalida’ on the 25^th anniversary of her death. Our local cultural society, “Associazione Dalidà,” offered a concert in an outdoor theatre that bears her name and special museum exhibit at Casa Museo Dalida`.

As the Italian Jewish Cultural Center in Calabria continues to discover and establish our ancient Jewish presence here in the south of Italy, we are honored to claim the beloved Dalida’ as one of our own.

Torah Comes to Sicily

I've carried Torahs--my quiet traveling companions--all across Italy by train and plane. This particular one, however, accompanied me to Palermo, where I presented it to the congregants of Ner Tamid Palermo. Thanks to a generous gift by attorney Domenick Porto, this small Torah scroll and I made our way across the Straight of Messina to Palermo. With the guidance of lay leader, Salvo Parrucca, the Torah will be used for Shabbat and festival services and serves as a benchmark for the rebirth of Jewish study and worship that has been absent publicly for 500 years since Inquisition times. 

Along with my assistant, Salvo, congregants include Vincenzo Li Calzi, who, with his wife, Amalia, opened their home to the dedication ceremony. Canadian guest, Laura Cattari, who traveled to Sicily to discover her Jewish roots joined the Palermo congregants, all of whom send their thanks to Attorney Porto, who, along with me, Professors Enrico Mascaro and Vincenzo Villella serves on the board of "Associazione per la ricerca e lo studio sul gl'ebrei in Calabria e Sicilia," (The Association for the Research and Study of the Jews of Calabria and Sicily). 

Attorney Porto, who also discovered and embraced his Calabria Jewish roots, is president of the Association which has operated since 2005 and supports the work of sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud, my home base and the first active synagogue in Calabria in 500 years since Inquisition times.

The arrival of this Torah scroll is particularly special because it marks a milestone for Sicilian Anousim. In 2004 when we held the first Passover seder in Piano Battaglia to 2011 when New Tamid Palermo hosted two B'nei Mitzvah ceremonies on the island, we've been fortunate to offer services and festivals every year to so many in Sicily who want to discover and embrace their Jewish roots.

I look forward to more Torah dedications in Italy and elsewhere, to more travels with a beautiful Torah seated next to me as we head to our next destination.

"I'm Italian. Could I be Jewish?"

Why, yes! You could be!

  Current research suggests that, yes, many Italian Americans have Jewish ancestry dating back to the time of the Expulsion from Spain. Through the Italian Jewish Cultural Center of Calabria (IjCCC) and Calabria's first active synagogue in over 500 years, Sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud, you can find out the latest regarding Italians who say, "I've always felt Jewish."

A little background: "Timpone" is the Italian word for "ridge," and is the name given to the ancient Jewish quarter in Nicastro (the historical center of what is now known as Lamezia Terme, in Calabria, in the south of Italy).

Timpone marks a thriving Jewish presence which began in the 1200's and continued through the 1500's when Italian Jews perfected the silk and indigo trade that characterized their special contribution to the local economy.

Rachele Taverna

At the center of the Quarter, the old synagogue still stands, now transformed into a Catholic Church. But not completely. Historians believe that the window above the entrance was once a Magen David (Star of David) and, as was the custom in Inquisition times, three of the six points of the Star were left intact - an affectation that became an architectural standard throughout the south of Italy and a way of identifying those churches that once were synagogues.

Rachele Taverna, now nearly 100 years old, is one of the oldest residents of Timpone. "Si, nel tempo fa, siamo stati ebrei," ("Yes, in the past we were Jews"). Both her surname and given name attest to her Jewish roots.

Come visit the Italian Jewish Cultural Center of Calabria located within Sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud (The Eternal Light of the South) the first active synagogue in Calabria and Sicily in 500 years since Inquisition times. It is in this very synagogue that I officiated at the first ever Bat Mitzvah in Italy (where a girl read directly from the Torah scroll) and the first acknowledged Bar Mitzvah in Sicily in 500 years.

Through the IjCCC, and with the help of a terrific staff, I'm committed to helping Italians and Italian-Americans discover and connect with their Jewish roots. For more information on Italian Jewish Roots and how you could begin your own discovery, visit my website.

Ancient Synagogue in Calabria Comes to Light

One small section of the Jewish mosaic.

It was a blustery day in early February, when I set out for Bova Marina, an area not far from the big toe of the famous Italian "boot." I was traveling with my Canadian production crew, assembled to put the finishing touches on a documentary film which will feature the Italian Jewish Cultural Center of Calabria (IJCCC) and our nearly ten year effort to bring the history of Jewish Calabria to light. The film  itself  documents a longer international journey to highlight lost and isolated Jews of Calabria and Sicily and to feature individuals who have begun the journey to uncover their Jewish roots. The van was packed with equipment and people, and a hope to accomplish the day's extensive shot list before the sunlight faded.

Enrico Tromba and Rabbi Barbara

The archeological site has come a long way in four years. Overseen by Professor Enrico Tromba, the park, the painstakingly patient digs, and the noteworthy museum of ancient artifacts all represent years of hard work, as little by little, the ruins of an ancient synagogue have been revealed.

The location of such a archeological find is perhaps unexpected. The remnants of a foundation from long ago lie exposed beneath a piece of Italy's famous "autostrada," so that pieces of what was once a giant mosaic menorah were found in the dirt beneath an overpass. At a quick glance, it might look like organized rubble, nothing announces itself as a protected environment; a closer look, however, proves the existence of something not widely recognized in this region of southern Italy: there are Jewish roots here.

The rain threatened to to dampen our day as much of the necessary film footage required outdoor setups. In the end, the rain was kind, and only fell upon the van as we drove from location to location. Once we arrived to our destination, however, we were greeted with a lovely reminder that with the rain comes great beauty.