Jewish Museum “Fausto Levi” of Soragna

The Jewish Museum “Fausto Levi” of Soragna, founded in 1981 and managed by the Jewish Community of Parma, is located within the historic synagogue complex of Soragna, one of the most significant Jewish heritage sites in western Emilia. Housed in the former Casa Grande delli Hebrei, inhabited by Jewish families for nearly four centuries, the museum preserves an exceptionally intact ensemble of domestic and religious spaces. The synagogue features a neoclassical ceiling painted by the Fidenza based artist Giuseppe Levi, a work that reflects the broader mid nineteenth century decorative tradition of Parma and Piacenza.

The museum’s collections document the history, material culture, and religious life of the Jewish communities of Soragna, Parma, and the surrounding area. They include ritual silver, textiles, manuscripts, liturgical books, archival materials, synagogue furnishings, and objects of daily life from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. Highlights include the Aron ha Qodesh from Monticelli d’Ongina, the Aron of the Soragna synagogue, a seventeenth century stucco fireplace from the Rabbi’s House in Cortemaggiore, and rare textiles such as a me’il dated 1622/1623.

A central element of the museum’s holdings is its ketubbot collection, which spans a wide chronological and geographical range. Among these, the 1860 Risorgimento ketubbah from Busseto stands out for its decoration inspired by the protagonists and ideals of the Italian unification movement—an exceptional example of the dialogue between Jewish artistic traditions and the political culture of nineteenth century Italy. The collection has recently expanded through new donations and the recovery of a ketubbah reused as binding material in the historic library.

The museum’s collections have grown over time through donations from Jewish families in the region and beyond, including books, portraits, textiles, and ritual objects from Rome and Morocco.

Research and documentation are central to the museum’s mission. In collaboration with the Foundation for Jewish Cultural Heritage in Italy (FBCEI), the museum is engaged in systematic cataloguing according to national and international standards. It has also transcribed and translated the Hebrew inscriptions of the cemeteries of Soragna, Cortemaggiore, Fiorenzuola d’Arda, and Monticelli d’Ongina, and is currently studying the historic library of the Jewish Community of Parma in partnership with the National Central Library of Rome.

Education is a core component of the museum’s work. The institution offers guided tours, workshops, thematic programs, and dedicated activities for schools of all levels, as well as training for teachers. These initiatives promote historical awareness, intercultural dialogue, and a deeper understanding of Jewish culture and heritage.

Today, the Jewish Museum “Fausto Levi” serves as a regional reference point for the study and transmission of Jewish history and culture, committed to safeguarding heritage and fostering an open and informed dialogue with contemporary society.