Obj. ID: 48167
Jewish Architecture Holocaust memorial plaque in the synagogue in Alessandria, Italy
To the main object: Synagogue in Alessandria, Italy
Memorial Name
No official name
Who is Commemorated?
Jews of Alessandria who were deported and killed in the Holocaust by German Nazis and their Italian fascist collaborators
All 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust
Description
The memorial plaque is placed prominently on the lower part of the synagogue façade, clearly visible to passersby on Via Milano, a major street. The white stone inscribed plaque is roughly rectangular but arched at the top and with protruding “feet” with classical details. An inscription in Hebrew and Italian of the “Golden Rule” from Leviticus follows the curve of the arched top. Below this is a low relief carving of a Magen David flanked by two tripods with flames, either meant to be ancient incense burners (or possibly large oil lamps), but seemingly alluding to sacrifice. Beneath this is the dedicatory inscription.
Inscriptions
Across the top of the monument
Hebrew
ואהבת לרעך כמוך
Italian
AMA IL PROSSIMO TUO COME TE STESSO
Main text (Italian)
NEGLI ANNI TRAGICI 1939-1945
OLTRE 6 MILIONI DI EBREI
FURONO DEPORTATI MARTORIATI SOPRESSI.
IL TRIBUTO DI TANTO SANGUE INNOCENTE VERSATO
-ATROCE OFFESA ALL’UMANITA’–
ISPIRI IN OGNI CUORE SENTIMENTI
DI GIUSTIZIA DI FRATELLANZA DI AMORE
-LA COMMUNITA’ DI ALESSANDRIA-
-A RICORDO DELLE SUE VITTIME -
Translation: In the tragic years 1939-1945 over 6 million Jews were deported, martyred, and suppressed. The tribute of so much innocent blood spilled - an atrocious offense to humanity - Inspires feelings in every heart of justice, of brotherhood, of love. / The community of Alessandria in remembrance of its victims.
Commissioned by
The Jewish community of Alessandria
6 image(s)
sub-set tree:
The synagogue opened in 1871. On December 13, 1943, the building was seriously damaged and all the interior furnishings were destroyed, with many precious objects, books, and manuscripts burnt in a public book burning. In all, 48 Jews from the Province of Alessandria were deported to the concentration camp of Fossoli (Italy), and most were taken to Auschwitz and killed.
The synagogue building reopened in 2022 after an extensive restoration that began in 1995. The Holocaust memorial plaque was affixed to the façade of the synagogue at a date still to be determined, but probably in the 1950s.