Henry Guzmán Mitchell L&S Arts & Humanities
Oral History and Memories of Fascism in the Jewish Community of Rhodes
The Jewish of community of Rhodes had lived under fascist Italian rule until the promulgation of the Race Laws of 1938. In 1944, under German occupation, nearly the entire community was deported to Auschwitz. Surprisingly, the stories that surviving members of the Jewish community on Rhodes, called Rhodeslis, tell about the period of Italian colonial governance from 1912-1942 are generally positive in spite of the fascism. The younger generation tended to identify with the Italians and the “modernity” they brought; others felt an affinity for Italy owing to its rich cultural history; some Jewish families took pride in enrolling their children in fascist youth programs. But it was difficult for many to square their fondness for the Italians with the administration’s antisemitic policies. Was it their faith in modernity—and the logical association between “civilization” and decency—that rendered the Italian betrayal so devastating? In my project, I want to examine how and why the popular narrative of administrative benevolence has been preserved by the Jewish community.
Message To Sponsor
This project is very personal, and I am appreciative of SURF's support. My grandmother was born on Rhodes to two Italian musicians. When he wasn't teaching at the conservatory, her father taught cantors at the rabbinical school, a fact which initially drew my attention to the island's Jewish community. I have now been working on this project for about a year, and I am eager, with the University's help, to access certain archives I previously could not.