I may end up attending Friday evening services at a synagogue in Rome with members of my family. Does anyone know what the dress code is for a woman? I know that in the states (where I would be going to a reform temple), I could get away with nice slacks and nice top/sweater, but is Italy formal enough that I need the skirt/dress? I know that, in general, congregations are orthodox in Italy, and I don't know what's appropriate (multiple religions in my family, so I don't have a whole lot of experience going to temple in the US and none in other countries).
There is this: http://www.jewishtuscanytours.com/package/tour-classico/ ..expand the Dress Code
There is a museum next to the Great Synagogue, you may want to include it in your plans.
Thanks for your replies. We're definitely going to visit the museum. Whether or not we attend evening services is still up in the air as we actually arrive in Rome from the US on a Friday morning, so we have to see how we're doing in terms of jet lag.
Recommend Skirt or dress with shoulders covered. Bare legs and sandals are fine. Went to Shul in venice last Shabbat and no one was in pants.
I was in the Great Synagogue in Florence once for Yom Kippur and was surprised at how many women wore slacks. That being said, for a regular Shabbat, when the attendees are generally religious, I would wear a below-the-knees skirt. Anything simple will be fine, just not sheer. I doubt anyone would be really offended if you showed up in nice slacks, but you may feel out of place if you're the only one.
More important - take passports (they are likely to be requested) and don't take cell phones or cameras or big bags of any kind.
The museum has tours of the Synagogue, if you don't have time for services.
I'd for sure wear a dress or longer skirt, and have my shoulders covered. You might also consider some kind of head cover if it's conservative or orthodox. We visited the synagogue several years ago, but not for services... I'm thinking it's not like reform temples in the US. It's always better to err on the side of being conservative...
If you have a shawl / scarf of some sort, you can use that to cover your head if needed, or your shoulders...