Interview with Gastone Orefice,

Interview Summary

Gastone Orefice describes Jewish history in Italy starting 300 years before Christ. He explains the treatment of Jewish individuals before World War II and shares about his life prior to World War II. Orefice tells about changes that occured after the release of an anti-Semitic manifesto and passing of anti-Semitic policies in Italy when he was sixteen years old. He describes his family's struggles during these times, such as loss of their jobs and being banned from public schools. He explains how they hid in various locations when they were unable to leave Italy. He remembers that despite national policies discriminating against the Jewish community, Italians and various Catholic Church leaders would individually aid Jewish citizens. He recalls when Jewish youth would meet secretly in order to understand their Jewish identity. He discusses his personal struggle understanding his own identity as an Italian citizen and a Jewish man. He explains how he became involved with the Italian resistance during World War II, and people's reaction to the end of the war. Orefice and the interviewer discuss various kinds of anti-Semitism in countries throughout Europe and the United States. He shares about meeting his wife and their marriage after the war ended. He describes more about his career history and his family since the end of World War II.

Interview Keyword

Anti-Semitism Discrimination Family background German occupation German soldiers Immigration from Italy Italian army Italian law Italian media Italian resistance Jewish children Jewish families Jewish heritage Jewish law Judaism Judaism--20th century Personal identity World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives

Interview LC Subject

Religion World War, 1939-1945.

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.