FATTORI (Sindachi, Gonfalonieri, Fattori del Ghetto, ):

The executive body of the Roman community, consisting of three persons elected for one, later for one-half, year, by the representatives of the community. They called the meetings of the community; their consent was necessary in cases of excommunication; they controlled the treasurer, who could make no payments except on their order. They were aided by a committee chosen by the community; they reported to the community every three months, and rendered an account at the end of their term of office. The community was represented by them at the Vatican, which held them personally responsible. Thus they were imprisoned when a Jew escaped punishment by flight. At least one fattore, in addition to the rabbi, was required to take part in the carnival homage to a senator, and to be present during the Sabbath sermons for converts. Any attempt to shun this burdensome and costly office was punished by a fine and subsequently refusal to fill it was strictly forbidden. The office probably existed as early as the twelfth century, although its functions can not be traced definitely beyond the fifteenth century.

Bibliography:
  • Vogelstein and Rieger. Gesch. der Juden in Rom, i. 263, 343; ii. 128, 311, 319-328. 393;
  • Berliner, Gesch. der Juden in Rom. ii. 32, 72;
  • Zunz, Z. G. pp. 509, 513;
  • Rodocanachi, Le Saint Siege et les Juifs, pp. 78 et seq.;
  • Samuel Kalai, , p 40a, No. 54;
  • compare Guüdemann, Gesch. des Erziehungswesens und der Kultur der Juden in Italien, p. 308.
G. H. V.
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