After many nights of sleeping in what felt like an ice box, I finally had a great night sleep once we figured out we had set the air conditioning to the snow flake setting. Today in class, we discussed the topic of genocide. It was actually very interesting to hear the details of genocides that usually do not get the lime light, like in Serbia. It occurred to me the extent of how difficult it is to end genocide. It is a mental change of the people, and most of the time nobody comes out happy. I feel like it was a valuable lesson I learned here that I never expected to. After lunch and some unsuccessful shopping due to “one size fits all” lies, we got on the bus to the Jewish ghetto. Even just the bus stop was historic! It is on the site where Julius Caesar was murdered! Our guide, Agnus, took us to the square where the ghetto once stood and explained how the Jews got to be there. She showed us an ancient theater that had been used through ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, and early 20^th century by Mussolini. It just showed how much history is within this city, most of it yet to be found!

She took us to the synagogue, which was equally as beautiful as all of the churches in Rome. It definitely was the most unique too, with a rainbow dome and stars on the ceiling. Overall, it was a very moving experience to hear of the hardships of the Jews from a Jewish person in a European city that was effected by the injustices against the Jews; also that the synagogue survived the Nazi occupation! It was amazing to see the wide variety of nationalities that came to visit the synagogue. It shows that everyone cares about the injustices against the Jews, not just the Jews themselves. It shows we are one world and are concerned for each other. It left everyone feeling a sort of somberness. However, as we all have learned in Italy, Gelato can bring up any mood!

Finally, the best way to end a day is to sit in your room and watch the Italy v. Spain qualifier game. Go Italy!!