June 12, 2010 - Charis Frieman-Mendel reads directly from the Torah at Sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud (The Eternal Light of the South), the first active synagogue in Calabria in 500 years since Inquisition times.

The Rabbi is Rabbi Barbara Aiello, who returned to her marranos/anousim roots to establish the synagogue and a cultural center, the IjCCC - The Italian Jewish Cultural Center of Calabria -- so that local Italians and Italian-Americans can discover and connect with their  rich Jewish heritage that was obscured by centuries of persecution.

Rabbi Aiello is assisted by Salvo Asher Parucca of Sicily.  He discovered his Jewish roots, made conversion with Rabbi Barbara and hopes to study for the rabbinate one day. Members of this anousim congregation are also pictured, some of whom traveled 8-10 hours to share in the simcha.  The video was made by 16 year old congregant, Irena Spada.   Click below:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Falco4247#p/u/0/p4mF_KrphHg