Spain is considered the world‘s leading country in foreign tourism (about 60 million foreign tourists annually) – blessed with people who come to visit its famous sites or relax on the golden beaches of the Costa Brava or the Costa del Sol. To us, Spain is important for other reasons: the rich Jewish history of Catalonia, Andalusia and the city of Toledo is firmly planted in our national psyche – mainly because of the Spanish Inquisition in the late 15th century. We will visit the main sites connected to the Jewish history of Spain, as well as some of the primary sites that attract tourists from all over the world.
Read MoreGibraltar is a small peninsula, but it’s huge in history, geology and Jewish warmth. A British crown colony located in the southern Iberian Peninsula, it’s the entrance gate to both the Mediterranean basin as well as a bridge between Europe and Africa. At the foot of the Rock of Gibraltar, one can find a population of about 300,000 people from 16 different faiths, including a warm and close-knit Jewish presence. We visit Gibraltar on Shabbat, which we spend together with the local community, in all its synagogues.
Portugal stands somewhat alone in Europe separated from everyone by its border with Spain. It‘s a small country, but it offer so much: a spectacular Atlantic coastline, dotted with classic and historic fishing villages such as Nazare; majestic mountain ranges and dense forests; and vineyards as far as the eye can see alongside quaint, picturesque hamlets in the Doro Valley. History, monumental architecture, religious and secular art, all finds expression in churches and monasteries both ancient and modern. Combine all this with an entire population that is discovering its Jewish roots, and renewing Jewish life in this beautiful land. Then add warm hospitality, fine wine and great food – and you‘ll discover a Portugal you never knew existed.
An article by Bella Scharf Zelingher about this tour experience on The New Jersey Jewish News – press here>>
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