Historical

Jewish Minsk Tours

The Together Plan empowers communities in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to learn how to help themselves. We help communities to see what can be achieved collectively, and work with community members to develop skills and provide the training necessary to realise their vision.

We help to set up and run projects which community members of all ages can benefit from and participate in. At the same time, we promote responsible and transparent leadership, which is vital to develop the genuine friendship and trust necessary for a community’s survival. Ultimately, our communities will become self-sufficient both financially and in their activities – at which point we will step back, watching the community progress from strength to strength.

Jewish Quarter Tours

The Jewish Cultural Quarter offers a vast array of guided tours led by professional tour guides trained by the Education Department. For those with special wishes customized tours can be arranged. Tours include the Portuguese Synagogue, the Jewish Historical Museum, walking tours around Jewish Amsterdam, and more.

Lower East Side Conservancy

The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy is passionate about sharing and celebrating the Jewish heritage of the Lower East Side. The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to the historic preservation of the Lower East Side’s sacred sites. Their mission is accomplished through quality touring programs, both private, public, and educational, which showcase the Lower East Side’s landmarks, history and people. A portion of the proceeds of each tour is returned to the sacred sites visited on that tour, contributing to their restoration and conservation. The Conservancy takes great pride in being a full service organization. What that means for their visitors is that they take the time to customize your tour and make your experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible. On your request, they will recommend restaurants, hotel accommodations, shopping venues, and transportation routes.

From its inception in 1998, the Conservancy has worked collaboratively with a broad spectrum of the Lower East Side’s cultural, social, historic, religious, architectural, programmatic, and business resources. The Conservancy’s local partners include the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, the Lower East Side Business Improvement District, The Educational Alliance, Henry Street Settlement, The Museum at Eldridge Street, the Angel Orensanz Cultural Foundation and Center for the Arts, 6th Street Community Center, and virtually all of the historic synagogues on the Lower East Side from East 14th Street. These collaborations have provided value-added for our visitors and partners.

In addition to the Lower East Side, the LESJC provides tours of other New York neighborhoods of Jewish importance, such as Jewish Harlem, the Upper West side, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Jewish Tour of the Villages

Visit the villages along the coast of Mumbai where, according to Bene Israel tradition, seven couples were shipwrecked over 2,000 years ago. Depart by a speed boat / ferry to visit the villages along the coast of Mumbai where, according to Bene Israel tradition, seven couples were shipwrecked over 2,000 years ago.
Explore the original landing site and monument at Navgaon.
Visit the Magen Aboth Synagogue and the Beth El Synagogue.
Enjoy a visit to a Jewish home.

Jewish Heritage Tour and Mumbai Highlights

Explore synagogues that reflect the thriving presence of the Bene Israel and Baghdadi Jews. Learn about the rich Jewish history. Listen to the mesmerizing stories of Jews who lived peacefully with their Hindu and Muslim neighbors. Explore Magen David, Tiphereth Israel and Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogues. Drive past stunning Victorian buildings.
Marvel at the Dhobi Ghat, an immense, colorful outdoor laundry.
Explore Mani Bhawan, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
Drive to the grand Gateway of India, overlooking the Indian harbour.

Old and New Jerusalem Full-Day Tour Operated by Bein Harim Ltd

Take in the panoramic views of Jerusalem from the top of Mount Scopus. Then, travel down the mount passing the Biblical Garden of Gethsemane, Church of All Nations, and Kidron Valley that holds monumental Jewish tombs. In the Jewish Quarter, we see the Cardo; the Byzantine-era main street of Jerusalem. We stop at the sacred Western Wall to place a prayer note between the ancient stones of the wall. The tour follows part of the Via Dolorosa to the stunning Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here, we see the site of Christ’s crucifixion and his burial tomb. After a lunch break and walk through the Old City bazaar we travel to new Jerusalem. Driving through the modern city we reach Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum. The museum’s exhibits include authentic artifacts, original documents, photos, and video testimonials of Holocaust survivors. Hotel pick-up is additionally offered and available to anyone on the tour.

5 Senses Tour Through Mystical Tzfat

Our 5 senses tour is a full on experience that takes you through the mystical, ancient part of Tzfat, to be seen, felt , heard , touched, and tasted. We will experience Tzfat like never before. We will visit the ancients sites, we will hear the beautiful prayers, we will touch the ancient ruins, and we will taste the local delicacies. This is a unique tour given by a local, who has lived in Tzfat for 12 years and who made aliyah from Los Angeles, and the experience will be verstaile and informative, yet fun and interactive.

Tzfat Walking Tour

Just mention “Tzfat” to any Israeli, and you’ll automatically see the far off gaze and glimmer in his eye…Who doesn’t long for Tzfat, home to the one time Tzfat Kabbalists and mystics of yesteryear, the city perched upon a hill with clear air and mystery around every corner….Come visit this magical city, where the past and present are intricately woven together……

On this special tour we will explore the winding alleyways and cobblestone streets of Tzfat. We will view the varied and beautiful artwork displayed in the Artists’ Quarter and admire the awe-inspiring views of Meron and the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). We will also hear the miraculous stories of the War of Independence, and enter the Ancient Synagogues admiring their beauty and taking in their holiness. This historical tour also includes a few stop-offs at important historical religious sites in the Old Jewish Quarter, and the once operating British Police Station among other places.

You can also visit Otzar HaStam, Tzfat’s newest Biblical attraction – and one of the best. Not only is it a hands-on, time-travel adventure, Otzar HaStam brings Judaism to life with its interactive trivia game show, and the Letters of Adventure ride (built by the same people who make educational adventure rides for Disney’s Epcot Center). It also takes you back in time to the world of the ancient scribes when you participate in a scribe workshop. Discover the mystical secrets of the Hebrew letters, their role in creation of the universe, the receiving of the Ten Commandments and more.

Photo attribution: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Safed Old City Tours

Safed Old City – the capital of the Upper Galilee, a city full of charm and inspiration that lies between the mountains of the Upper Galilee. The magical alleyways of Safed have been preserved from ancient times, bearing ancient secrets and legends that were told over the years and became an integral part of the Safed tradition.

The spiritual capital of the Galilee, an captivating and mystical city. The perfect way to experience the north of Israel. During the tour we will visit unique places in the city that have historical significance, view the breathtaking scenery of the Galilee Mountains, hear stories about figures from the ancient world, visit the galleries alley in its picturesque lanes and be inspired by the local art.

Beth Shearim with Shalom Israel Tours

Visitors to Israel are often amazed by the juxtapositions of ancient and modern that define their tour experiences. With findings dating back to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries, Beit She’arim National Park definitely falls on the ancient side of the continuum. Located approximately 12 miles east of Haifa, Beit She’arim is best known for its range of intact burial sites. The most famous is the grave of Rabbi Judah HaNasi, the compiler of the Mishnah, a central Jewish reference text that is still studied today.

So impressive are the archeological finds at Beit She’arim that it appears on a tentative list for being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the past five years, two new caves were opened to the public here, so that there are now more than 20 burial caves to explore.

The Beit She’arim burial caves are richly decorated with reliefs and paintings rich with Jewish symbols, including the shofar, which is associated with the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur holidays; the lulav and etrog, which are still used on Sukkot; and the Ark of the Covenant and a menorah with seven branches, which are symbols of the Temples in Jerusalem. Other images that are not specifically Jewish – such as boats, animals and geometric patterns – can be found here as well. Images of Greek gods in human form are also pictured. Inscriptions appear most often in Greek, but there are some in Hebrew, Aramaic and in the obscure Aramaic dialect known as Palmyran.

In addition to touring the caves, the top of park’s hill has many ruins of the ancient city of Beit She’arim to explore. Look for the bronze statue of Alexander Zayid, who was among the founders of two Jewish defense organizations in the early 20th century, including Hashomer. Literally, Hashomer means “the guard.” It was an organization of Zionist pioneers that defended and protected the nascent Jewish agricultural settlements in pre-state Palestine. Also on the hill is the tomb of the Muslim Sheikh Abreik, distinctive because of its double dome.

In 1956, a construction crew at this site unearthed what was eventually identified as a nine-ton piece of glass. When a furnace for glassmaking stood here, ancient Beit She’arim must have been home to a remarkable glassmaking operation.

WJT

Post Tour Tag: Historical