About this talk

The Jewish community of Rome is one of the oldest in the world, and arguably the oldest in continuous existence. Predating the destruction of the Second Temple, Roman Jews have lived in the same city for over two thousand years, witnessing the rise and fall of empires, enduring the Ghetto, surviving the Shoah, and maintaining a distinct and vibrant identity to this day.

This talk traces that extraordinary journey: from the first Jewish arrivals in ancient Rome to the present-day community. Along the way, we will explore what makes Roman Jews unique — their language (Giudaico-Romanesco), their food, their liturgical traditions, and the subtle but meaningful differences that set them apart from other Italian and global Jewish communities.

Drawing on history, personal family stories, and lived experience, this is an invitation to discover a community that has always been at the heart of Rome, and of Jewish history.

About Luca

Luca Spizzichino is a Rome-based communications professional and journalist. He has been deeply involved in Italian Jewish communal life for many years. He previously served as President of Benè Berith Giovani in Rome, and went on to become Editorial Director of HaTikwa, the official journal of Italian Jewish youth. From 2024 to 2025, he served as President of UGEI (the Union of Young Italian Jews), the main representative body for Jewish youth aged 18–35 across Italy.

He also writes for Shalom, the magazine of the Jewish Community of Rome, and has served as social media manager for the Historical Archive of the Jewish Community of Rome. Born and raised in Rome, Luca brings both a personal and professional perspective to the history, culture, and present-day life of one of the world's oldest and most distinctive Jewish communities.