Submit Draft of New Law to Define and Codify Rights and Functions of Jews in Italy

Pointing out that at the present time the rights and functions of Jewish communities vary in each district, the Commission of six appointed by Minister of Justice Recant yesterday submitted a draft of the proposed communities law. Three of the Commission’s members are non-Jews. Chief Rabbi Sacerdoti is a member.

In Padua and Venice the Commission noted, the Piemonte and Marche laws are still in force although they antedate the foundation of the Italian kingdom. The most important Jewish communities, in Rome and Milan were organized as voluntary associations. The commission’s draft proposes that Jewish communities be recognized as authoritative bodies with the right to own and dispose of property under the supervision and protection of the government authorities. The communities would be governed by committees consisting of from three to fifteen members according to the numbers of the Jewish population. The committee would be elected by ### community taxpayers.

In order to carry out the proposed activities the Jewish community would be entitled to dispose of sums raised among members of the community. The communities would be linked into a National Federation whose headquarters would be in Rome and would be governed by a board elected by a congress of presidents of the communities. Individual communities would have to submit reports of balance sheets for the approval of the government.

The Commission also submitted its opinion regarding exclusion of Rabbis from military service and state examinations on Saturdays, also other matters which were not covered by the Communities’ law.

The proposed Jewish Communities’ Law is expected to commence in force early in 1930 following consideration by Minister Rocco and approval by Mussolini.