The Jewish Community of Trieste has about 600 registered members and is considered a medium-sized group on a national level. Within the Community many activities and services are offered in order to satisfy the needs of Jewish life in the whole region (areas of Trieste, Gorizia, Udine and Pordenone). Next to the Synagogue, to the ritual bath (mikveh), to the Cemetery, a major attention is given to the education of children and young people. The Israelite school “Isacco Sansone Morpurgo”, created under the name of “Scuole pie normali israelitiche” after the Edicts of Tolerance issued by the emperor Joseph II in 1783, still works.

Beside the primary school, officially recognized, there also are a
nursery for babies and a kindergarten. The school programme provides
the teaching of standard subjects and Jewish language, religion and
culture. It addresses to young people, from Trieste and from other
towns, and it is also present on the Carsic plateau with a recreation
centre which also hosts cultural events. The Community offers
assistance for elderly people as well, through the Pia Casa Gentiluomo,
dedicated to Abramo Stock and recently restructured. Many cultural
events are promoted, especially thanks to the activity of the Jewish
Museum Carlo and Vera Wagner.
The Adei (also known as Wizo – Woman’s International Zionist
Organization) has a very active group in Trieste. The Jewish Community
was born in 1746 to satisfy all the religious, cultural, assistential
and economic needs of its members. All the Jews who live in the area
and join are part of it, contributing to its functioning according to
their income.
The deletion from the Community lists has to be preceded by an explicit
request and it implies the loss of rights and services provided by the
Community. The Community structure still maintains its ancient
organizational arrangement. In fact, it is run by a council, made by
seven delegates chosen by members of age. It is the council itself
which elects the president who leads the administration. In order to
assure a major involvement in the Community choices, the most important
topics are periodically discussed with the general assembly of members.
The spiritual direction is assigned to the chief rabbi who,
administratively, is an employee of the Community. He is fully
autonomous in religion or ritual matters and has the right to advisory
vote within the council. Among his assignments, the celebration of
marriage between Jewish people – in which he has the role of registrar.
During the ceremony, the couple has to declare their full acceptance of
the laws that are related to marriage in the Italian civil code.  

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