Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Teachings Online

My Italian Jewish Surname List (Video)

My Italian Jewish surname (last name)… could it be Jewish? Researching Italian Surnames for Possible Jewish Roots Have you wondered if you have Jewish ancestors? Does your family history include stories of Jewish heritage or Jewish traditions? Some experts state that as much as 50% of the populations of Calabria and Sicily (the most Southern regions of Italy) were Jewish before the Inquisition. During the Inquisition, some of these families moved north in Italy and then east into Greece and Islamic countries to pursue their religion without fear of death. Some were already inter-married with Catholic families and were blending into that society and not openly practicing the Jewish religion so they didn’t need to move. Some were converted to Christianity as adults to stay in their towns and keep their lives. There is a Jewish congregation in Salonika (Greece) dating to the Inquisition, so that now most [...]