we will be in Rome on Yom Kippur. We were hoping to visit the Jewish synagogue in the jewish ghetto. Does anyone know if it is open to visitors on this day? Any alternatives if it is not? We are staying near the pantheon

If they are conducting Yom Kippur services, I don't think that they would allow nor encourage visitors, if all you want to do is look around.

If they are like the synagogues in the US, and you want to attend Yom Kippur services, you would be required to have a ticket.

If you arrive before that day, go to the synagogue and ask in person.

Security in European synagogues is a lot stricter than it is in the US and the street may be shut off and there will be highly visible armed guards and/or police in the vicinity of the synagogue.

Nina

Here is a web page for services in Rome:

http://tinyurl.com/j8435

It would be nice to have a nice break the fast meal at one of the restaurants in the Jewish Ghetto.

I agree with Nina that you would need tickets. Let us know when you get back, it would be a wonderful experience, I hope you can attend.

It is highly unlikely (like close to 0%) that any Jewish museum, business or tour will be open on Yom Kippur Day. If you are Jewish and want to attend services, then you can probably arrange ahead of time for tickets to attend. This is the holiest day of the year for Jews, and unless you are attending for religious reasons, it is not a time for sightseeing.
Enjoy your trip.

While we have not been to high holiday service in Rome, we have been in Venice for Yom Kippur and Florence for Rosh Hashanah. In neither case did we need tickets, and we were heartily welcomed. I can assume Rome might be similar, but you know what they say about assuming, so I would contact the Synagogue

Hi Kh,

If you are not planning to attend services, you will have to choose an alternative.

Since it is a Sunday, the Vatican will also be closed.

You will also be there during Ramadan.

Definitely NOT open to VISITORS. (Anyway, you would be prohibited from taking photos.)
If you NEED to (as opposed to wanting to visit as a non-Jewish visitor) be in the shul, try contacting chabad.
www.chabadrome.org Also Italian nusach is different from ashky. Rome also has Seph miniyanim.

Many Continental synagogues do not have the concept of high holiday seat tickets (as you pay annual membership which comes with named seats), but security will be tight, thank goodness. Sometimes they ask you for a copy of passport. No eruf in Rome--we exlained we didn't carry on shabbat then got quizzed to ascertain we were Jewish.

khepps:

The snagogue in the old ghetto is guraded by armed police every day of the year...on the high holidays I would imagine the guard is re-enforced. I suggest to contact the nearest Jewish Federation Council and get the phone number or e-mail addresss for the synagogue...call a week or two in advance. They will give you all the information you need.
Wishing you a happy and peace-filled New Year.

Stu T.

please excuse typos in above letter...

I assumed the OP wanted to attend services not sight see.