These words have come to mind in seeking to inter-
pret the significance of the conversion to Catholicism
of the "Chief Rabbi" of Rome, Israel Anton Zolli, an-
nounced on February 14th, 1945. The background of
Zolli's conversion is to be found in the history of Ital-
ian Jewry under Fascism. The forces which met in the
life of the Italian Jewish community in general, and of
Zolli in particular, were world-forces, many centuries
old. Woe to the individuals, including the weak, char-
acterless, spiteful Zolli, who stood at the point of colli-
sion! In the midst of a world catastrophe, some persons
have been strong and heroic; some have been seem-
ingly neutral and non-committal. Others, like Zolli,
have proved themselves to be spineless and susceptible.
The Jews of Europe have been tried, literally and fig-
uratively, in a fiery furnace; multitudes have been
obliterated, physically and psychologically. Some, how-
ever, have emerged from their ordeal stronger than
ever. To vary the metaphor, Jews have been weighed
in the balance; Zolli and others like him have been
found woefully and contemptibly and pitifully lacking.
France had its Jacques Doriot, its Marshal Pétain and
its Pierre Laval; Norway had its Vidkun Quisling;
other peoples of Europe have had their traitors, even
as Revolutionary America had its Benedict Arnold.
Israel in Rome has had its Zolli.

AN INTERESTING PARALLEL TO ZOLLI'S CASE IS FOUND IN
that of George Nelson Page, nephew of the former

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