To confront the alarming rate of antisemitism in our nation, the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission (NJIHC) developed a video series titled The Italians and the Holocaust, as part of The Universality of Italian Heritage curriculum. This five-part video collection was produced in collaboration with the New Jersey Office of Holocaust Education. ...

Leo’s Grandevous Italian Restaurant, located on the corner of 2nd and Grand Streets, has been at the heart of Hoboken for 85 years. With a history as rich and enchanting as the Italian food served every day, this mainstay attracts hundreds of people each year and has stood the test of time. Leo’s is Hoboken’s oldest, family-owned restaurant and has...

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop will open on North Harrison Street in the Princeton Shopping Center on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the company said in a news release. The shop will introduce Garden State residents to the chain’s famous sandwiches, including its signature slow-roasted turkey subs. Franchisee Jimit Dharia and his wife Urvi Jatania will own and opera...

Sandra Giordano, a proud alumna of Montclair State University, former teacher and dedicated principal, heads the groundbreaking Heart of ARC and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) partnership. Heart of ARC, formerly known as Immaculate Heart of Mary School, is an organization formed after the school’s closure to continue foste...

When most people think about Hoboken they think of Ol’ Blue Eyes: Frank Sinatra, the “kid from Hoboken who got the breaks,” as writer Bruce Bliven coined him. All over the Mile Square, tributes pay homage to this musical and historical legend, as Hoboken was his birthplace and where he found his fame. The city is decorated with all things Sinatra f...

Marisa Tufaro’s paternal grandmother prepared wonderful Italian pasta dinners. On any given Sunday, the aroma of meatballs, sausage, and braciole simmering on the stove for hours in homemade gravy (sauce) filled the house. As preparation for the main course neared its end, family members would whet their palates with mozzarella, prosciutto, and Ita...

Imagine opening a jar of Nutella, harvested from hazelnuts grown in the Garden State. That’s an ultimate vision of Rutgers University researchers working with a $170,000 research grant from Ferrero Group. The Italian-based company, which also owns Ferrero Rocher, announced the funds in November to be disbursed over a four-year span. That was in add...

If you’re dining at a restaurant owned by the Bitici family, chances are you’re in for a treat. Such is the case with Amerigo in Berkeley Heights. The spawn of restaurant veterans and brothers Ilir and and Mentor Bitici, their latest endeavor is all about elevating classic Italian-American dishes. Fiorino, the family’s outpost in Summit focuses on...

Discover the evolution of Italian-American cultural expression and how we aim to reshape the narrative around our vibrant community. We welcomed the iconic Margaret Fontana to discuss her blog and the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission she is part of. In our discussions, you can hear how we bring together voices and stories highlighting our tre...

John Capodice, an acting veteran whose credits included Ryan’s Hope, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, General Hospital and Seinfeld, died December 30. He was 83. The announcement was made on the website of the New Jersey Pizzi Funeral Home and did not list a cause of death. The funeral home called Capodice “a devoted husband, father and grandfather who...