In 1858, the kidnapping of six-year-old Jewish boy Edgardo Mortara by Papal authorities and his secret baptism sparked an international debate over religious authority, parental rights, and individual freedom. In this thought-provoking program, Professor Elèna Mortara—a descendant of Edgardo Mortara and one of the leading scholars of the case—combines historical scholarship with her family's personal story to explore the case's lasting legal, ethical, and cultural significance. Participants will also examine its influence on literature and contemporary debates surrounding religious freedom.
The series includes a special in person screening of Marco Bellocchio's acclaimed 2023 film Kidnapped (Rapito), on May 6, 10:30-1:00pm at Landmark.
Learn more about the instructor here.
This course is a part of the Exploring Jewish Italy Series
This course is sponsored by the Annual Enid and Irving Kushner Lecture Fund