Shabbat & Holidays
Everything you need for Shabbat and the holidays in Rome โ where to eat (with Chabad, a family, or a restaurant), attending synagogue, and the practical details.
Shabbat & holiday meals
Since 2014 Chabad in Piazza Bologna has hosted large, family-style Shabbat and holiday meals for locals, students and tourists. A fire on 24 August left our building unusable, so for now we cannot host meals there, and we have opened a campaign to buy a new home. The first nights of Rosh Hashana (Friday 11 September) and of Sukkot (Friday 25 September) are confirmed: they are held at another location in the Piazza Bologna area and registration is open in the event list. We send the exact address only by email, together with your booking confirmation. For anything else write to info@chabadpbrome.com.
With a local family. Families host visitors for free, near the synagogues in the Piazza Bologna, Repubblica and Marconi areas (closest to the Great Synagogue is about a half-hour walk; fewer families in JulyโAugust). Fill out this form to be set up with a family.
๐ Fill out the family-hosting request form โ
The donation covers Chabad's work to find a family, arrange the meal and confirm the request is serious.
Our families put in real effort โ in the past some guests booked and didn't show. If your plans change, please let us or the family know as early as possible.
At a restaurant. Restaurants in the Ghetto are open on Shabbat by pre-paying in advance โ about €45 per person, per meal. Contact Baghetto (glatt), Bella Carne, Renato and Yotvata to check if they're open during your stay. You can also buy meals at the restaurants before Shabbat โ closing time is around 3 pm.
Catered takeaway. Kosher private caterers prepare and deliver meals to your hotel โ orders are usually needed by Thursday.
Hot plate & urn rental. Hot plates and hot-water urns can be rented from Chabad โ to book your rental click here.
Attending synagogue services
For security, all of Rome's synagogues (listed on JewishRome.com) require advance registration before Friday 2 pm โ complete the form here.
On Shabbat day, all synagogues host a Kiddush with light refreshments after Musaf.
Getting around on Shabbat
There is no Eruv in Rome, so you can't carry outdoors on Shabbat. Coming with young children who can't walk? We can try to find you a baby-sitter, or ask your Rabbi whether a non-Jew may bring your child back after the meal. Dress code: smart casual or informal โ no tie needed.
Sukkot in Rome
Chabad has a large Sukkah for all the Yom Tov meals, and also puts one up in Piazza Barberini. Among the restaurants with a Sukkah are Flour, Little Tripoli, Yotvata and Dolce Kosher.
Full Sukkot guide — dates, meals, the four species and where to eat →
Where to stay & kosher food
You'll need to be within walking distance for Shabbat. See Accommodations for Shabbat-friendly hotels near Chabad or the Ghetto (5-star: near Chabad ยท near the Ghetto). For where to eat and shop, see Kosher food in Rome.
4 comments
Jordan Wexler
Hi looking to come for first 2 nights sukkot meals in sukka
Menachem Lazar
Please see our Event page, if the event is not open yet, come back.
Susan Leibowitz
Dear Rabbi and Rebetzin Lazar,
Thank you for making our Shabbat in Rome a memorable one.
It’s always nice to feel like “home” wherever you go.
Please thank Shani too.
Susan and Shimmy Leibowitz
Menachem Lazar
Thank you for your positive feedback.