Ethnic
rivalries and synagogues
The Ghetto may have been populated by Jews, but it wasn't a melting
pot. Residents came from a variety of countries, cultures, and social
classes, making clashes (or at least open hostility) inevitable. This
was most obvious in the building of synagogues, which eventually
numbered five: one each for the German, Italian, Spanish,
and
Levantine communities, and a fifth, the Scuola Canton which may have
been French, or may have created as a private synagogue for the
families who undewrote its building expenses. (All five synagogues
remain. Three may be visited on a public tour, and two others, both in
the Ghetto Vecchio are used for religious services on an alternating
summer and winter schedule).
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Freed by
Napoleon, persecuted by Hitler. As Venice went into
economic and political decline in the 1700s, the Ghetto
sank with it and was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1737.
Sixty years later, Napoleon's troops brought an end to the
Republic of Venice.
The Ghetto's
gates were torn down, and Jews were given the same
freedoms as other citizens of Venice. Many Jews chose to
continue living in the Ghetto, however, and the Ghetto
remained a focal point for the Venetian Jewish community
until the German occupation during World War II, when some
200 Jews were deported and killed between 1943 and 1945. |
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Visiting the
Ghetto today
The Jewish community in Venice has experienced a modest resurgence
in recent years. About 500 Jews live in Venice, although the
Ghetto itself has only about 30 Jewish residents. Religious
services take place in either the Scuola Grande Spagnola
or the Scuola Levantina. The neighborhood has several Jewish shops, a
book publisher, a social center, a rest home for the elderly, a
museum, a yeshiva, and the kosher Gam Gam restaurant (run by
Lubavicher Jews from New York).
Destination
Weddings in the Synagogue of Venice
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Location: The historical Jewish Ghetto (Jewish
Quarter) of Venice is set on one of the beautiful piazzas in
the heart of the city.
The interior
is considered one of the finest synagogues in Italy, the
Schola Spagnola is a Sephardic synagogue with superlative
interiors. Gilded chandeliers, beautiful marble floors,
brass candelabras and antique furnish- |
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ings create
a very special atmosphere, ideal for couples wanting to celebrate
a more formal and unique wedding. Types of Ceremonies
Jewish Orthodox only. Entertainment By
Rabbi's approval. Best time of year All
year round.
Special Features
The Jewish Ghetto in Venice is the oldest ghetto in the world and was established in 1516 by the
Ruling Council of Venice. There are
4 synagogues in Venice of different sizes in Venice; three are
Ashkenazi, and one is Sephardic (Schola Spagnola).
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The
Schola Spagnola synagogue is breathtaking inside
with a touch of Byzantine and a definite Venetian flavor.
It holds up to 250, but is fine for weddings with smaller
groups too. The Chuppah used during the service dates
several hundred years and the wedding party can arrive at
the ghetto in a gondola.
For Orthodox couples wanting to celebrate their Jewish
wedding in Italy, the Schola Spagnola is undoubtedly one
of the finest synagogues in the country and the setting of
Venice absolutely romantic!
A wedding in this Venetian synagogue is the ultimate
Jewish wedding.
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TIPS:
Skip the tour if you aren't able to climb stairs, since the Ghetto
Nuovo's synagogues were built above street level for reasons of
space, security, and religious law.
If you're Jewish, enjoy kosher cooking, and can't afford the
prices at the Gam Gam restaurant, you can arrange to buy meals or
kosher food at the rest home. See the Jewish Community of Venice
Web site for details.
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Address:
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Levantine Scola
Ghetto Vecchio Venice |
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Tel:
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+39.041.715012 |
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Getting There:
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Boat 1
and 82 stop at S.Marcuola-Ghetto;
41, 42, 51 and 52 stop
at Ponte delle Guglie-Ghetto; Run by the Jewish
Community of Venice. |
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Email:
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Rabbi: |
Elia Richetti |
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Nusach:
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Sfardi
- Italian |
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Services
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Open: winter
Opening Hours: Shacharit: Shabbos-Holidays 9:30am |
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Tours
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of the
Ghetto are available year-round at the Jewish Community Museum in the Campo Ghetto Nuovo, which
has a large collection of religious objects and silverware. The tour
has several morning and afternoon departures and lasts about 40
minutes. The price is a bit steep, but the three synagogues included
in the tour are worth visiting if you're even remotely interested in
Venetian history or Jewish culture. (You can also buy a combined
ticket for the tour and the museum.) |
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Notes:
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Visiting times by
appointment, to reserve call on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between
10 AM - 12 PM.
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Other Synagogues
Venezia |
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