“Perhaps, but this is important, and I’m needed.”
“That’s wonderful, Papa.” Sandro felt happy for his father. The Jewish Community of Rome was governed by a Board of fifteen men called Councilors, who were also responsible for administering its affairs, paying bills, and taking census information. His father had been advising them unofficially on legal matters, spending more and more time at the synagogue, so it was nice to have his role acknowledged, even though Sandro’s mother was probably right about his schedule.
The door opened again, and at last Rosa entered on the arm of a tall redheaded man with bright blue eyes, a nice smile, and freckles. He wore a dark suit of English tailoring, and Rosa seemed in high spirits, in a black dress she saved for fancy occasions. “Mamma, Papa,” she said, “sorry we’re late! Everyone, this is David Jacobs. He just started at the embassy.”
“Welcome to our home, David.” His father rose and shook the young man’s hand.
“Signor Simone, thank you for having me.” David turned to Sandro’s mother with a well-mannered nod. “Dottoressa Simone, thank you, too.”
“Welcome, and please, sit down. May I serve? The meal’s getting cold.” Sandro’s mother shot Rosa a look, but Rosa was oblivious, pulling out a chair for David. Sandro thought he had a kind manner, though his Italian sounded schooled, which could be forgiven. They both took their seats, and Rosa winked at Sandro. He was delighted to see the shine in her eyes, but felt a touch regretful. He hadn’t mustered the courage to give Elisabetta a gift, having lost any momentum he had gained since their kiss at the river.
His father said a prayer over the meal and raised a glass of wine. “Rosa, tonight is a special occasion. Not only do we have a guest at the table, but I’ve been elected to the Board. Let’s toast to Italy’s good fortune, under me and Mussolini.”
Rosa laughed. “Bravo, Papa!”
“That’s a surprise,” David blurted out.
Sandro’s father blinked, and Rosa shot David a warning glance. Silence followed, and they sipped their wine in momentary awkwardness. Sandro’s mother began serving everyone, but David turned to Sandro’s father.
“Signor Simone, my apologies. My comment didn’t sound the way I intended. What I meant was, I’m surprised that you can be Jewish and so ardently Fascist.”
“Thank you for your apology, but it’s unnecessary.” Sandro’s father smiled pleasantly. “As for your confusion, many Jewish families are proud Fascists. As a statistical matter, Jews join the party in the same proportion as Gentiles.”
David pursed his lips. “My surprise is due to the blatant anti-Semitism of Adolf Hitler, in Germany. Doesn’t that concern you, as a Jew?”
“Yes, but National Socialism has nothing to do with us. We’re Italian Fascists, and there’s no anti-Semitism in Italian Fascism. Il Duce was in power for a long time before Hitler even appeared on the scene, not the other way around. Hitler imitates Mussolini, not vice versa.”
“Yet Hitler is Chancellor of Germany.”
Rosa shifted in her chair, and Sandro wondered if she was trying to kick David under the table, like she used to do to him when he was little.
His father cleared his throat. “But that’s beside the point. Germany is Germany, and Italy is Italy. We defeated the Germans in the Great War. I myself served as an army officer, in the Twenty-Ninth Piedmont Infantry, and many Jewish veterans belong to our party. We wanted a strong leader, and the economy has grown under Mussolini. He simplified our byzantine tax laws, and my practice is more robust than ever. I represent many small businessmen, and all of them are doing better.” His father picked up his fork. “One prominent Jewish banker, Ettore Ovazza, encourages more Jews to become Fascists. I may travel to Turin to see him, in my newfound capacity.”
His mother interjected, “Really, Massimo? When?”
David frowned. “Signor Simone, the question isn’t how you view yourself, but how others view you.”
Rosa shifted again in her chair, and this time Sandro spotted David wince.
His father cocked his head. “I can tell you, our fellow Italians view us as Italian Jews, which we are. The Simone family is among the most Roman of Romans, and our family’s ancestors came to Rome not only before Christ, but before the destruction of the Temple.” His father rested his forearms on the table. “Jews have completely assimilated here, as shown by the rate of intermarriage, about fifty percent. A former Prime Minister, Luigi Luzzatti, was Jewish, and so was a former Mayor of Rome, Ernesto Nathan. I could go on and on, listing prominent Jewish citizens and leaders.”