It was a pleasant turnout on Sunday, June 23rd, for a ceremony full of tribute where a plaque was unveiled in memory of the Jewish populations who, from the 13th century, settled in La Brigue and the States of Savoy, where the strictness of the ‘princes’ was less severe than in France.
The village mayor, Dr. Bernard Gastaud, gave a brief historical account of the persecutions, humiliations, and vexations that the power of the lords imposed on this community over the centuries, despite their contribution to the life of the city. Mr. Mayor listed the harassments imposed on the Jews by an edict of Amadeus VIII of Savoy in 1430.
This edict also imposed a ghetto, thus the historical significance of today’s event. It was the revolution in September 1792 that put an end to these discriminations. After the mayor finished his speech, other speakers followed. Senator José Balarello was represented by Ms. Lanteri Bottin, who, after apologizing for his absence, recalled his commitment at 17 years old in the resistance against Nazi oppression, following the assassination of young adolescent friends in the Verdon.
The Jewish community was represented by Mr. Jean Pierre Saal, president of the Union of Jews of France and Their Friends, who fights to create places of memory throughout France. He warmly thanked Dr. Gastaud by offering him a Hanukkah, explaining the meaning of these 9 lights, whose origin is very ancient, miraculous according to him. Mr. Saal expressed his satisfaction in front of this significant audience: “Your presence is a testimony of sympathy.”
His Excellency Monseigneur Franck William Schaffner had the honor of concluding the speeches by highlighting the place of Jews as the elder brothers of Christians in Faith.
The event concluded with a friendly drink. The plaque challenges us: “Passersby, remember!” It is not innocent to proclaim it, for it seems today that hatreds against others are still very current, as if the genocides had not served as a lesson.
Forgetting history dooms us to relive it. This plaque is a salutary reminder for those with short memories.
Thierry Jan
