User:Marperch/Italian Synagogue (Venice)

Notes:


 * All edits are highlighted in bold to distinguish from original text and mine
 * Pictures of the Italian Synagogue from reference #3 were analyzed to create the conservation paragraph, I wish I could include the images but could not find copyright information and felt it was best to exclude the images

Article Draft
The Italian Synagogue (Italian: Scuola Italiana) is one of five synagogues in the Jewish Ghetto of Venice.

History
'''The Italian Synagogue is situated in Venice's Cannaregio district, which became the permanent residence of Jews in 1516. Originally known as the "geto" due to its former metal foundries, the district fostered an international community comprising Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Italkm Jews. In an effort to distinguish themselves from Venetian terminology, they collectively referred to their newfound home as the "ghetto."'''

The Italian Synagogue was built in 1575 [1] to serve the needs of the Italian Jews, the poorest group living in the Venetian Ghetto. As such, it is the smallest, and the most simple of the five synagogues. Like the other four synagogues in Venice, it was termed a scuola ("School"), rather than sinagoga ("Synagogue"), in the same way in which Ashkenazi Jews refer to the synagogue as the shul ("School").

It was a clandestine synagogue, '''"where worship took place in Italian and Hebrew according to the Italkim rite." [3]'''

Exterior
From the exterior, the Italian Synagogue in Venice stands out with its petite baroque dome and is distinguished by a quintet of arched windows that cast light into the interior from the southern side of the Ghetto Nuovo's campo. The building that gives no appearance being a house of worship form the exterior, although the interior is elaborately decorated.

Interior
'''The Italian synagogue, with a capacity of 25 worshipers, features a compact yet distinctive interior. The elongated rectangular shape of the space emphasizes the elevated placement of key architectural elements, such as the Bimah and the Holy Ark [1].'''

A noteworthy aspect of the synagogue's design is the arrangement of benches along the longer sides of the room, while the shorter sides boast a unique configuration, contributing to its distinct character.

'''Central to the interior are two main components: the Bimah (tevah) and the Ark (aron kodesh) [3]. The Holy Ark, a focal point in any synagogue, stands adorned with intricately designed wood ornaments, culminating in a decorative pinnacle at its summit.'''

'''The synagogue's 18th-century bimah pulpit takes a prominent position in the interior, extending from a polygonal apse. This elevated platform serves as the hub for religious ceremonies and addresses to the congregation. Notable features include the intricate terrazzo flooring, providing a visual contrast to the contemporary floor covering in the central area.'''

'''Ascending the pulpit stairs reveals decorative banisters with a crossed arch motif reminiscent of 18th-century Venetian furniture. Gilded inscriptions on the walls meticulously document past renovations, with the earliest dating back to 1740. Beneath the pulpit, an additional inscription commemorates the tower renovation in the year 1789, adding historical depth to the sacred space.'''

Conservation
'''In 2021, the Save Venice campaign was launched to support the restoration of the Italian Synagogue, successfully raising 830,000 euros. Significant contributions from various supporters facilitated the commencement of restoration work in December 2021, focusing on addressing structural issues and enhancing both the building's exterior and the synagogue's interior. This comprehensive effort included the recovery of the original terrazzo pavement and the conservation of key elements such as the 16th-century Holy Ark, pulpit, and 18th-century inscriptions. The campaign reached completion in May 2023, with a public presentation in June 2023 [3].'''

The primary goal of the campaign was to restore and revitalize historic synagogues within the Ghetto.

'''Following conservation in May 2022, notable transformations are evident in both the exterior and interior of the Italian Synagogue. The exterior has been rejuvenated with a fresh paint job, reintroducing a subdued palette of nude and peach tones to the building, complemented by a newly furnished set of quintet windows. The result is a crisp and clean appearance, a stark contrast to the previous cracked paint that conveyed a sense of deterioration.'''

'''The interior, previously characterized by a dusty and dim atmosphere, underwent a significant transformation. Post-conservation, the pulpit stairs now emanate a luminous quality as one ascends above the pulpit. Behind the columns and stairs, prominently displayed Hebrew inscriptions on the walls contribute to the enhanced visibility and vibrancy of the sacred space. '''