Jewish Athletes at Olympics Attend Services in Rome Synagogue

The Israel. Olympic team and Jewish members from the Australian, Brazilian and Moroccan teams joined Roman Jewry in a solemn ceremony at the main synagogue here for Sabbath services. Rome’s Chief Rabbi, Elio Toaff, addressed the cosmopolitan congregation in Hebrew when he welcomed and blessed the athletes. Also on hand to greet the Jewish athletes were Sergio Piperno, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities and Fausto Pitigliami, president of the Rome community.

The president of the Israel Olympic Committee, Mr. Zysam, replied in Hebrew. He stressed that the Israeli athletes now competing in Rome included farmers, workers and officials and represented “the vital reality” of Israel which includes peoples from many nations. After the ceremony the Jewish athletes met leaders of the Italian Jewish communities and organizations at a reception in the Jewish Community Center.