OPERATION BENJAMIN
ITALY MISSION 2025
Operation Benjamin and the American Battle Monuments Commission
will correct historical errors at
the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Florence American Cemetery in Italy.
Join us for this historic and unique event.
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May 12-15th, 2025 - Sicily-Rome and Florence Headstone Replacements
May 15-18th, 2025 - Optional Shabbat in Historic Rome
May 19-21 - Optional Participation in Operation Levi Inaugural Ceremonies
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Space for this mission will be very limited.
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THE THREE SOLDIERS WE WILL BE HONORING



ABOUT THE TRIP
PART 1 - THE MISSION​​​
Sunday May 11
Participants leave from their home bases for Rome, Italy.
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Monday May 12
Participants will arrive in Rome, Italy. Monday evening will feature an in-depth orientation and dinner, with a chance for participants and family members to meet one another.
Tuesday May 13
On Tuesday will be immersed in learning about the Allied WWII Italian Campaign to give context to the sacrifices of the three soldiers that we will be honoring. Historian Dr. Danila Bracaglia will lead us in battlefield tours of Anzio Beach, the site of allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle, and the mountains in and around Monte Cassino. ​We will then be replacing the headstones of T/4 Ben Zion Bernstein and 2LT Paul Singer at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery.
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Wednesday May 14
We will spend the day in Florence, Italy, arriving by high-speed train. We will begin at the Florence American Cemetery where we will replace the headstone of PFC Frank Kurzinger. ​Following the ceremony, we will travel to the Mattonaia neighborhood of Florence where we will tour the beautiful Florence Synagogue and Michelangelo's David, and then return to Rome for dinner.
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PART 2 - ROME AND SHABBAT (OPTIONAL)
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Thursday May 15
On Thursday we will explore the famous sites of Rome through the lens of Jewish history. Rabbi JJ Schacter will lead us as we visit the Arch of Titus, the Roman Forum & the Colosseum. Afterwards, we will immerse ourselves in Roman Jewish life of past and present. We will tour the Jewish Ghetto, including the impressive Great Synagogue of Rome, the adjacent"Tempio Spagnolo" - a small sephardic synagogue - as well as the Jewish Museum, which contains artifacts spanning 22 centuries of Jewish life in Rome. ​​
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Friday May 16
We will spend the morning at the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon, we will travel southeast to visit the Jewish Catabombs, an ancient underground burial site used by the Jewish community during the Roman Empire. Touring the catacombs will give us a deeper understanding of the lives and practices of the very first Jews in Rome. In the late afternoon we will begin making preparations for Shabbat.
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Shabbat May 17
We will daven in the main sanctuary of the Great Synagogue of Rome alongside the modern-day Roman Jewish community. We will experience first-hand the unique Italian version (nusach) of tefila under the soaring, ornate ceiling of the synagogue. Rabbi Schacter will deliver a lecture on the Jews of Rome. In the afternoon we will go on a walking tour of Rome which will include learning about the Fatebenefratelli Hospital and the Syndrome K virus.
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Sunday May 18
Participants depart back home. Bon Voyage!​​
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PART 3 - OPERATION LEVI (OPTIONAL)​
To learn about this unique program, please watch this two minute video:​​​​

Headstone Replacement of 2LT Howard Feldman
Lorraine American Cemetery, October 2021

Sicily-Rome American Cemetary

The Great Synogogue of Rome

The grave of Meier Levi
If you think you’d like to participate in the inaugural ceremonies of Operation Levi on May 19-21, please email Shalom Lamm, Chief Historian, at slamm@operationbenjamin.org.
COSTS
*Costs listed below include transportation from and to the airport, all meals, hotels, transportation within Italy, guides, and ceremonies. Airfare not included.
Part 1 - The Mission​​: $2,500 per person (excluding airfare)
Part 2 - Rome and Shabbat​​: $2,400 per person (excluding airfare)
Parts 1 & 2​​: $4,900 per person (excluding airfare)