Brenda Lee Bohen is a collaborator with the Jewish Museum of Rome. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree in the History of Art and Architecture from DePaul University and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the Art Institute of Chicago. She earned her certification in Jewish Leadership at the Spertus Institute in partnership with Northwestern University and continues her higher education (Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies) at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. She is also a licensed and accredited tour guide in the Vatican Museums. As such, she passionately advocates for ongoing productive scholarship concerning the history of the Jews of Rome.

In her volunteer efforts and contributions to articles and blogs, she strives to enlighten others about Roman Jewish history by interviewing prominent Jewish scholars from around the world, as well as her fellow tour guides from the community who are familiar with references to her areas of interest in the texts of the Torah, Talmud and Zohar. These texts, along with insights from other sources—including new discoveries gained from modern scholarship – contribute to an appreciation of the scope of Jewish contributions to the city of Rome, a treasured fact often ignored and omitted from history books, current museum and archaeological exhibitions and guided tours of the Eternal City. She is a Hispanic woman of converso heritage, holds dual American and Italian citizenship, and is a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserves.

Due to Brenda’s military background, she has directly assisted the staff of the U.S. Embassy to Rome, the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome, the Israeli Embassy to the Holy See, and other Embassies and has been officially recognized for her volunteer work by a former U.S. Ambassador to Italy.

Furthermore, falling back on her training in ancient Greek culture and language, Brenda is also passionate about telling stories populated by the most prominent gods and goddesses in Roman culture: Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. These gods and goddesses of the Greeks and Romans were anthropomorphic, exhibiting many human qualities such as love, hate and jealousy. On her walking tours through the ruins and museums of the Eternal city, Brenda’s training in the ancient Greek language and history allows her to narrate how the gods and goddesses of Greek culture have significantly influenced the development of Roman deities and mythology, as she colorfully demonstrates in situ.

Brenda’s thorough knowledge of this material, her enthusiastic delight in sharing it, and her upbringing in a bi-clutural heritage in both Spanish and English has contributed her to also create and offer specialized Spanglish tours for Latino families from the United States and Mexico visiting Rome.

Likewise, her scholaraly knowledge of ancient Israel, Rome and Greece help to inform the integrity and comprehensive information she passionatley provides in the tours she offers. Her years of considerable and substantive study, as well as rigorous training in ‘Academic English’, have provided her with the gift of being able to explain material with articulate clarity, engagement, and patience!

Brenda’s home is in Cori (originally Cora) with her husband, one of the oldest cities in Lazio tracing back to ancient times. According to legend, Cori was initially settled by the Latins and is believed to have been founded by the gods Dardanus, Aeneas, or Corax.

Brenda is walking distance from the Temple of Hercules (150 BCE) and the Dioscuri Temple of Castor and Pollux, dating back to the first decade of the first century BCE.

Living in this historic town and working in Rome is a testament to her deep immersion into the history and cultural heritage of Italy.