Obitelj Levi Mondolfo: riječki Židovi dubrovačkoga podrijetla

Abstract

The Levi Mondolfo/Mandolfo Halevi family is mentioned in Dubrovnik from the second half of the seventeenth century, where they arrived from the area of central Italy overlooking the Adriatic. According to official records, in Leo (Giuseppe Leon) Levi Mondolfo (1771- 1847), a well-off merchant, moved to Rijeka with his large family, probably spurred by the business contacts which his family had with the local businessman Luigi Accurti. Although business remained his core activity, he became one of the most prominent and distinguished members of the Jewish community of Rijeka, of which he was chosen vice-president (1838) and president (1840). As a member of the community’s board, he took active part in resolving the problem of the new cemetery. From the marriage with Allegra, nee Pardo, Josip had nine children, sons Salomon Rafael and Rafael, and seven daughter—Stella, Sarina, Giuditta, Lidija, Rosina, Regina and Rahela. The article provides detailed data on the mentioned descendants, their marriages and individual fates. Salomon Rafael (Salomone Raffaele) Levi Mondolfo (1800-1877), elder son of Josip Leo and Allegra, inherited the family business upon his father’s death. In 1839 he assumed the duty of the head rabbi of the local Jewish community. During his rabbinate, the Old Synagogue was opened in the Old City. His eldest son Sabato Levi Mondolfo (1833-1895), devoted himself to business, too: he traded colonial goods and food commodities and invested in ships. He was an active member of different management boards and associations. He headed the Jewish community for thirty-seven years, in the period when it expanded into a sizeable community. He was the founder and deserving member of Chevra Kadiscia, Jewish charitable society. Edoardo Mondolfo (1861-1922), son of Sabato and Estella, born Consigli, traded in fruit. Probably under the influence of his wife Ida, nee Modigliani, born to a Jewish family in Ferrara, his family inclined towards the Italian national identity. He became a member of the Italian Consiglio Nazionale in Rijeka, and his son Bruno joined D’Annunzio’s voluntary troops. The last family member living in Rijeka was Edoardo’s sister Emilija, who died in 1933.