The Gentilli Family in Mereto di Tomba

In a journey of discovery, a brief paragraph in the appendix of the book Sinagoghe Italiane – Raccontate e disegnate led to the discovery of the untold story of the Gentilli family in Mereto di Tomba (UD). After nearly half a century of prosperity in town, the Jewish couple Moisè Vittorio and Norma Stella faced the tragic reality of Auschwitz.

Utilising primary and secondary sources, and connecting with descendants both in Italy and Israel, their story emerged again. In January 2024, the fruits of this labour were shared with the community of Mereto di Tomba at a conference, complete with evocative illustrations and a curated list of literature. The event became a poignant commemoration of the Gentilli family’s presence, reigniting local interest after eight decades of indifference.

Join us for this incredible learning lecture exploring the history of this family and the Stolpersteine stones which now mark their legacy.

Denis Passalent
Originally from Italy, he completed his tertiary education at Cà Foscari University of Venice (Italy), Université Aix-Marseille (France) and ACU (Australia) in Linguistics, French Literature and Language Teaching respectively. Denis is based in Australia and is a Secondary School Teacher in Melbourne. Among his fields of interest, he is passionate about Jewish studies and Holocaust survivor stories.