A Room in Rome, Sun. May 15th, Part Two
Thursday, June 30th, 2011While we were temporarily lost on the way back from Tivoli, we did see some of Rome we would have missed, so the time spent was not so bad. However, before we actually walked around the synagogue and the area behind it, we had to find a parking space.
Alan found one space that I thought was too tight, but he insisted he could park the van if I got out of the car to tell him when he was too close to the car behind him, because the rear visibility wasn’t great in the van. I also had to direct him when he was too close to the car in the front. I hopped back and forth between the front and back of the van, while Jackie & Rhoda watched from inside and cracked up at my antics. Then Alan insisted that the van be centered between the front & back cars. Then I cracked up! But the van got parked!
The synagogue was quite beautiful. Above is a photo that is from the Internet. (All the photos today are from Irv’s camera, since I forgot mine, except for the synagogue itself, which Jackie added to Irv’s photos.)  I also found some historical information on the Internet, posted below:
The attention-grabbing Art Deco design was a deliberate choice made by the community at the time who wanted the building to be a visible celebration of their freedom and to be seen from many vantage points in the city. The dome is the only squared dome in the city and makes the building easily identifiable even from a distance. Designed by Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni, the eclectic style of the building makes it stand out even in a city known for notable buildings and structures.
The Synagogue, which celebrated its centenary in 2004, is more than just a house of worship; it also serves as a cultural and organizational center for la Comunità Ebraica di Roma (the Jewish community of Rome). It houses not only the offices of the Chief Rabbi of Rome but the Jewish Museum of Rome as well. (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-great-synagogue)
I asked Irv to take a photo of the doors, which I found quite beautiful. Here is one shot of the doors:
After examining the synagogue from the outside, we walked around the area, which I guess you could call the Jewish section or the Gheto, since there were a couple of stores and restaurants. (See photo below.)
Rhoda’s husband Kal took a photo of me with the food displayed outdoors*, but we did not stay in the area to eat dinner, our last meal in Rome. Instead, we went back to the neighborhood of the police station and ate at a very large restaurant close to our hotel. The meal was marred by the fact that our table was right near the kitchen and the doors kept swinging so we could hear the clatter in the kitchen. I can get that at home!!!
* Here I am with artichokes and a basket of veggies.
Hard falling asleep because I was overtired. Just as I began to drift off, we had thunder like I have never heard. I felt as though the Roman gods were banging on drums! Maybe they were wishing us a safe journey to the Amalfi Coast, our next stop.