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Between Empires and Identities:
The Jewish Story of Trieste
Thursday, September 18
USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm
The talk will last approximately 90 minutes
About this talk
Trieste, an enigmatic town on the Slovenian-Italian border, boasts a rich and captivating Jewish history dating back to the 14th century. Its unique blend of cultures stems from its past as part of several influential empires and nations — from the Roman Empire to the Holy Roman Empire, the Austrian Empire, and even a brief period as an independent state after WWII — making it arguably the most "non-Italian" city in Italy.
In this talk, we'll learn about the thriving Jewish life of the late Middle Ages, when Jews played a pivotal role as moneylenders and bankers, shaping Trieste's commercial landscape. We'll explore the former Jewish Quarter, visit the magnificent Synagogue, and trace the histories of both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish communities. We'll uncover the golden era of Triestine Jewry, its cultural renaissance, and also confront the tragic realities of the Holocaust. From past to present, we'll witness the resilience of Trieste's Jewish community and gain insight into its enduring heritage and unique traditions.
About Evgenia
Evgenia Kempinski is a Russian Jew born and raised in St. Petersburg. Her family was originally from the Pale of Settlement—Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. She was an official St. Petersburg tour guide for over 15 years and was the founder and owner of St. Petersburg Jewish Tours, a company offering Jewish travelers a unique experience, highlighting the best of the former Soviet Union, Scandinavia, and other regions from a Jewish point of view. She currently lives in Barcelona, Spain, where she continues guiding tours, both online and live, about Jewish heritage and history.
You will be asked to select one of these options:
General admission - $18
Supported admission - $9
Sponsor this talk - $36
With your contribution you will also be donating to the American Sephardi Federation, which preserves and promotes the history, traditions, and rich mosaic culture of Greater Sephardic communities as an integral part of the Jewish experience.
