Rabbinical College in Rome Cannot Re-open Because of Lack of Students; Funds Provided

The re-opening of the Rabbinical College here, which was scheduled for today, did not take place because of lack of students.

It appears that former students of the college, which was closed down by Mussolini, are scattered throughout the country and cannot be brought to Rome, and with most of the Jews in Italy preoccupied with the struggle to live, it is hard to get young men able to take up the task of rebuilding Jewish cultural and religious institutions.

Joseph Nathan, the Allied Commissioner dealing with the affairs of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, today told the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he hopes that the Rabbinical College can re-open in March. By that time, he said, sufficient students will be gathered to begin classes. He said that Rabbi Israel Zolli, the resigned Chief Rabbi of Rome, will be the director of the College.

But Rabbi Zolli today indicated that he would not accept the directorship. “I am an old man,” he told the JTA correspondent, “and am occupied with my lectures on Semitic antiquities in Rome University. I have also promised to write a book on anti-Semitism. It is time for a younger man to assume leadership of the Rabbinical College. I will not accept the appointment.”

Rabbi Zolli emphasized that he could not predict when the Rabbinical College would re-open despite the fact that the joint Distribution Committee and the Union of Jewish Communities in Italy are ready to provide the institution with funds.