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Course Description

In 1858, the kidnapping of six-year-old Jewish boy Edgardo Mortara by Papal authorities and his secret baptism sparked an international debate over religious authority, parental rights, and individual freedom. In this thought-provoking program, Professor Elèna Mortara—a descendant of Edgardo Mortara and one of the leading scholars of the case—combines historical scholarship with her family's personal story to explore the case's lasting legal, ethical, and cultural significance. Participants will also examine its influence on literature and contemporary debates surrounding religious freedom. 
 **The series includes a special in person screening of Marco Bellocchio's acclaimed 2023 film Kidnapped (Rapito), on May 6, 10:30-1:00pm at Landmark.  

 


 
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Section Title
KIDNAPPED FOR FAITH: THE MORTARA CASE AND FORCED BAPTISM ACROSS TIME: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (REMOTE)
Type
Remote
Days
F
Time (Eastern Time Zone)
10:30AM to 12:00PM
Dates
Apr 30, 2027 to May 07, 2027
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
3.0
Location
  • Off Campus Locations
Delivery Options
Remote  
Course Fee(s)
Course Fee non-credit $76.00
Potential Discount(s)
Drop Request Deadline
Apr 23, 2027
Transfer Request Deadline
Apr 23, 2027
Instructors

Section Notes


This course is a part of the Jews of the Jews of Italy Italy special program

OPTIONAL READINGS:

  • Elèna Mortara, Writing for Justice: Victor Séjour, the Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, and the Age of Transatlantic Emancipations, Hanover NH, Dartmouth College Press, 2015
  • Elèna Mortara, “Family Recollections: A Personal Note”, in Writing for Justice: Victor

            Séjour, the Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, and the Age of Transatlantic Emancipations,

            Hanover NH, Dartmouth College Press, 2015, pp. 173-181

  • Cynthia Ozick, “The Story of My Family,” Commentary, March 2024, pp. 48-54

            Elisa Bianchi and Elèna Mortara (eds.), Bambini rapiti, bambini contesi. Battesimi

             forzatie fratellanza umana. Con un appello al Pontefice, Milano, Guerini e Associati, 2025


 
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