Carrying the Israel flag, the first group of Gentiles converted to Judaism landed at Haifa late yesterday from Italy on the vessel Galila.
The Italians brought with them quantities of agricultural implements, seeds and saplings. Customs authorities extended them all courtesies and facilities. On disembarking, the new arrivals kneeled and kissed the earth of Israel.
They came from the Italian village of San Micardo, the population of which embraced Judaism in 1931 when their spiritual leader, Danto Manozzo, dreamed that he was chosen for the mission and was under orders to obey the precepts of the Torah and spread the theory of a single deity and Sabbath observance.
Eighty inhabitants of the village followed the guidance of Manozzo and were converted to the Jewish religion. They underwent circumcision and changed their names to those traditional with Jews.
The newcomers to Israel have their own settlement in Alma, a village near Safed, which they share with Italian-speaking immigrants from Tripoli. Members of the community who are still in San Nicardo will come to Israel in the near future. Another group is expected to arrive next week.
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