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Munch on Italian bakery cookies and biscotti while you hear from representatives of North Jersey Italian-American organizations, exploring how you might want to get involved.
Northern New Jersey is rich with opportunities to explore and celebrate Italian-American culture. Representatives from the following organizations will each speak for 10 minutes about their focus, and tempt you to get involved. Come explore the Italian-American Heritage.
Italian bakery cookies and biscotti will be served.
Apostolato Italiano dell'Arcidiocesi di Newark/ Italian Apostolate RCAN
The Italian Apostolate seeks to unite Italian speaking/ItalianAmerican and all faithful of the Archdiocese of Newark. We hope to unite our communities in the over one dozen parishes who offer services in Italian. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/apostolatoitalianonewark
Italian American One Voice Coalition
The Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition’s stated mission is to “secure the rightful representation of Americans of Italian origin and of all peoples whose paths toward social equality have been impeded. The powers of Intellect, Wisdom and Due Process of Law will be brought to bear on all inequities.” We do this though education, activism, publicity, and other resources and methods. In practice, The Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition is a nationwide army of anti-bias activists that fight discrimination and defend Italian American heritage and culture. Our goal is to act as one united voice when dealing with defamation, discrimination and negative stereotyping of our culture and heritage. It is the only national Italian American organization of its type that focuses solely on defending the great heritage and culture of Italian Americans. For more information: https://www.iaovc.org/
Italian Genealogy Society of New Jersey
The Italian Genealogy Society of New Jersey provides genealogical researchers an opportunity to meet socially, learn and share information pertaining to Italian research and culture, and family traditions. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/IGSNJ
The Coccia Institute
The Coccia Institute advances and celebrates Italian American culture, serving as an engine for explorations into the rich history of Italians and Italianità —“Italian spirit”—in the United States in the arts and humanities, business and politics, foodways, and popular culture. Through programming that fosters cultural conversations about the story of Italians in America, the Institute serves students, academics, and the culturally curious general public. We invite individuals of all backgrounds to explore their own sense of Italianità as it forms part of a broader national identity via thoughtfully curated programs that are designed to examine the past, present, and future of Italian America. For more information: https://www.montclair.edu/coccia-institute/
Museum of the First Ward
Bob Cascella was born in 1942 to Luigi and Geraldina (Ciccone) Cascella, and is a founding member and current president of the Newark First Ward Heritage and Cultural Society and the curator of The Museum of the Old First Ward. A First Ward native, Bob grew up on Mount Prospect Avenue and is charged with keeping the history and artifacts of the Old First Ward accessible to the masses. Home to over 100 years of history, the Museum of the Old First Ward tells the story of what was once the largest Little Italy in New Jersey and the fifth largest Italian community in the nation. Despite the decimation of this once vibrant neighborhood, key photos, artifacts, and stories of the Old First Ward are protected and available for review. The Museum of the Old First Ward is located in the St. Lucy's Community Center - lower level - on 7th Avenue in Newark, NJ. For more information: https://www.saintlucy.net/museum-of-the-old-first-ward
Filitalia International: Hunterdon County, NJ
Filitalia International is a non-profit organization, founded in 1987 by Pasquale F. Nestico, M.D. and a group of Italian-Americans to promote and preserve the Italian heritage, language, and customs throughout the world. The goal of Filitalia International is to solidify and expand the Italian culture, tradition, and heritage through social and humanitarian events. We offer many programs including Scholarships for younger members, Italian Language classes, networking events for young professionals, and cultural events to experience and learn about the Italian Culture firsthand. Since its conception in 1987, Filitalia has continued to grow and has reached International status with 27 Chapters in 5 different countries and is ever expanding. Our entire organization has been built by the efforts of dedicated volunteers whose love of the Italian Culture has served as a perpetual light to communities throughout the world. The word “FilItalia” means “Love for Italy”. Our mission is to protect and preserve the Italian heritage and culture and encourage the study of the Italian language. For more information: https://filitaliainternational.org/
With thanks to local resident Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten, author of "Italians of Newark: A History (American Heritage)", for volunteering to curate this event.
The Roxbury Township Public Library is a municipal library serving the communities of Succasunna, Ledgewood, Landing, Berkshire Valley, Port Morris, and Kenvil. Residents of the township are eligible to a free library card which enables access to 2.8 million items across the Morris Library Alliance including digital books, museum passes and more.
