Thanks everyone. All very helpful.
Have a wonderful time, I’m quite envious! Have an apertif for us!
On a side note, even the smallest airport in Italy has an enormous buffalo mozzarella shop, which I find just puzzling. The thought of carrying that cheese packed in water, then packed in ice, onto a plane is just awful, especially in summer.
FCO does have great ice cream.
I would shop and eat in the airport. I just traveled from Milan home. 3hrs at that airport and just made it to the gate… security apparently either thought I looked like I needed a massive questioning and pat down or I was just randomly selected. I have missed flights that gave 3.5 hrs between them in Europe. Security, customs, plane late, way over on the other end, etc.
@rockymtnhigh2 — wow, you make me feel better about what I put my daughter through on her semester abroad this year. She was flying to Athens, and most of the offered flights had a layover of 90 minutes or less (I couldn’t find ANY direct flights in January.) There was nothing in between that and a 4-hour layover, so that’s what she did! I don’t think she was thanking me for it.
New issue-- They changed our departing flights through Rome, now arriving 30 minutes later than originally scheduled, and claim its a valid connection. But, we have only an hour and 10 minutes to get from Terminal 3 (Delta international arrival) to Terminal 1 (Al Italia to Tel Aviv). This is too tight for my comfort zone, but it is what it is. How long will it take, and what’s the fastest way to get from Terminal 3 to terminal 1?
Walk.
Assuming the inbound is not late, and assuming your luggage is checked through to TLV and you have your boarding passes to TLV, it is a “legal” (though tight) connection. The actual walking time is about 15 minutes, but you have to go through passport control.
@skieurope is correct. It’s a brisk 15 minute walk, but the line at passport control can be long, so go straight there when you deplane. Ask someone right when you get off what direction to head because it’s not obvious. You’ll go through a confusing and massive duty-free area, but just keep heading towards Terminal 1. There are attendants at passport control who can expedite you if your flight is boarding - just show them your boarding pass if time is tight.
“Brisk” is probably the key word. I am reading elsewhere that we will have to go through another passport security check point and that could be a holdup.
We had that issue last year when we went to Prague. The connection was tight in Paris and we had to really walk briskly. We had my in-laws with us which made it difficult to go quickly. The only thing that saved us was we were in business class and were the first people off the plane. A lot of people missed our 2nd plane. I might try to choose seats as far forward in the cabin as possible. How fast you are fr your first flight can make a world of difference in making your connection.
…and, if you miss your connection due to tight timing / delays etc., Delta is generally pretty good about rescheduling; you might even get ‘lucky’ and they’ll put you up overnight (night in Rome!)
We have a tour to catch up with, so as much as I’d love a stopover in Rome (I actually tried to book that- didnt work).it will mess things up. However, not sure how safe Israel will be with latest news and the elections and such… Hopefully a non-issue.
We used points for DH’s flights, and paid for mine, but they were able to get us a reasonable fare… We are flying first class for the international legs (not the domestic) so will be able to get off fast.
Hopefully, you’ll have time to pick up a couple of pounds of fresh mozzarella packed in water before you get on your next flight, lol. You can’t buy a bottle of water in terminal 1 in Rome, but you can buy cheese!
Yum!!! We have a LONG layover on the way back, so plenty of time for cheese shopping!
Oh lovely- the time change in Europe occurs while we are in the air heading over. So between the tight connection (the took away 1/2 hr) and the time change, even though the computer accommodates that, it is ot helping my stress level (and the fact that we probably cant get the Al Italia boarding pass until we get to JFK b/c of the time window from our origination flight being more than 24 hrs. Ugh. Someone talk me down please.
It will be fine. And you can have a couple of cocktails in the JFK lounge. 
And that Al Italia may not let me carry on my Vera Bradley duffel and my rollerbag, so will have to scale down the second carryon (no time to worry about risking some gate agent or what have you giving me cr*p about the vera Bradley duel, which I would no doubt overpack). And, if my checked bag makes it to Israel before we do, whats the likelihood they will search it/take it away to parts unknown… (and Al Italia has a reputation for losing bags) More sighs.
I’m not sure if they have this in Rome, but there are often special lines in Europe for Delta Sky Priority (and first/business class). Keep your eyes open for those when you see them, as when you are in that category, often you can get in a shorter line.
Another thing to consider, for Delta at least, when they change the flights like that, sometimes they will allow you to change your flights for free. If you are uncomfortable with the connection time and have a better option in mind, it’s worth a call to ask.