WJT

JEWISH Havana

Jewish city story of Havana

Havana is a city rich in history, culture, tradition, and coffee. There is a thriving community of Jewish life, whose roots go all the way back to the days of Christopher Columbus. Havana is home to one of the oldest practicing Jewish communities in the Caribbean, a proud community with a story unlike any other.

The Roots of Jewish Havana

The story of La Comunidad Hebrea begins with the expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1492. As the local lore goes, when Columbus set sail from the coast of Spain there was one Jew amongst his crew. Luis de Torres was a marrano, a forced convert to Christianity. He was chosen by Columbus to act as his official translator. Luis de Torres was Cuba’s first official Jewish resident.

During the 16th century more Jews arrived from Spain, fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. During the next few centuries Jews continued to arrive from...

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אתרים מומלצים Sites to see

Sites

Adath Israel

Adath Israel is the city's Orthodox synagogue, sitting almost unnoticeableon a crowded, narrow street in the Old Havana district. After WWI, there was only the Ashkenazi synagogue in Havana, the United Hebrew Congregation. Religiously, it was very liberal with a wealthy, English-speaking membership. This was not a comfortable place for the Yiddish-speaking immigrants from Eastern Europe to worship. In 1923, a Lithuanian immigrant, Ben Zion Sofer, started a minyan in his apartment at Calle Paola No. 17. By 1925, the minyan developed into Congregation Adath Israel, located on the second floor of Calle Jesús María 103. The shul was basic, but served the congregants. The majority of Ashkenazi immigrants were not strictly observant; therefore, Adath Israel was only nominally Orthodox. The prayer services were traditional. Eventually it was decided to build the new synagogue in Vedado, the heart of the Jewish Quarter of Habana Vieja (old Havana). Architect, Oscar Baisman, and construction engineer, Jacinto Feh Leonard, constructed a modern sanctuary with seating for six hundred people, a chapel and a reception hall. The cornerstone for the $100,000 synagogue was laid in April of 1956 and it was completed on October 9, 1959. Monies were recently been granted to renovate the area, which included the synagogue. The Havana Restoration Commission worked with Jorge Herrera on plans regarding the synagogue restoration, which included full restoration of the sanctuary and an innovative frame for the roof to be used for celebrating Sukkot. Most of the money for the synagogue restoration was donated by wealthy businessmen from Panama and Venezuela. Currently, there are 400 members in the congregation. The congregation has a program to supply vitamins, some medications and toiletries to members who are in need and live nearby. Adath Israel has remained intact through the years, its doors have never closed, carrying out the religious services of Shajarit, Minja and Arvit daily, maintaining alive the traditions of our Fathers.

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Tours of Havana

Heritage Tour

Havana Jewish Heritage Private Tour

Highlights This tour takes you through the history of Jewish immigration and presence in Cuba. You will also see Havana’s treasures up close while enjoying personalized local service in a fully customizable private tour for you and your group in one of our classic vintage cars. Duration Up to 6 Hours Customize Your Tour: Feel free to create your one-of-a-kind tour with ease. Mention your points of interest to our knowledgeable guide or simply ask them for advice on places to visit and they will ensure the tour is as enjoyable as possible. What's included Local Classic Car and Driver Local Private Tour Guide Free Pick Up and Drop Off Recommended Itinerary: (A monetary contribution will be required at some sites to support the Jewish community) Pick up at the cruise terminal or accommodation. The Hebrew Sephardi Center The Exhibition of the Holocaust (the Sephardi Center in Havana) Beth Shalom Synagogue The Jewish cemetery in Guanabacoa. (OPTIONAL) Admire the unique decor of Hotel Raquel while having a cocktail. Acosta Street Muralla Street Typical Cuban lunch at a local "Paladar" Optional if time permits Visit Old Havana district (San Francisco de Asís square – La Cathedral square – Old Square – Arms square – Palacio de Los Capitanes Generales – Morro Fortress). OR Visit Modern Havana district ( Malecón Boulevard - Capitol – Central Park – Bar-restaurants- Floridita and Bodeguita del Medio – University of Havana – Revolution Square – Cigars Factory – Rum Museum – Colon's Cemetery) Return to cruise terminal or accommodation.

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מסעדות בסגנון יהודי JEWISH STYLE RESTAURANTS

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מדריכים בעיר CITY GUIDES

Heritage Tour

Havana Jewish Heritage Private Tour

Highlights This tour takes you through the history of Jewish immigration and presence in Cuba. You will also see Havana’s treasures up close while enjoying personalized local service in a fully customizable private tour for you and your group in one of our classic vintage cars. Duration Up to 6 Hours Customize Your Tour: Feel free to create your one-of-a-kind tour with ease. Mention your points of interest to our knowledgeable guide or simply ask them for advice on places to visit and they will ensure the tour is as enjoyable as possible. What's included Local Classic Car and Driver Local Private Tour Guide Free Pick Up and Drop Off Recommended Itinerary: (A monetary contribution will be required at some sites to support the Jewish community) Pick up at the cruise terminal or accommodation. The Hebrew Sephardi Center The Exhibition of the Holocaust (the Sephardi Center in Havana) Beth Shalom Synagogue The Jewish cemetery in Guanabacoa. (OPTIONAL) Admire the unique decor of Hotel Raquel while having a cocktail. Acosta Street Muralla Street Typical Cuban lunch at a local "Paladar" Optional if time permits Visit Old Havana district (San Francisco de Asís square – La Cathedral square – Old Square – Arms square – Palacio de Los Capitanes Generales – Morro Fortress). OR Visit Modern Havana district ( Malecón Boulevard - Capitol – Central Park – Bar-restaurants- Floridita and Bodeguita del Medio – University of Havana – Revolution Square – Cigars Factory – Rum Museum – Colon's Cemetery) Return to cruise terminal or accommodation.

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קראו עוד בלוגים וספרים אלקטרוניים READ MORE BLOGS AND EBOOKS

Hotels in Havana

Hotels

Hotel Inglaterra

Hotel Inglaterra, of 4 stars category, is the oldest hotel in Cuba and one of the most classic hotels in Havana. Hotel Inglaterra, considered the doyen of the tourist establishments of the island of Cuba, it is located in Paseo del Prado Ave. #416 between San Rafael and San Miguel Street, Old Havana, City of Havana, Cuba. Founded in 1875, Hotel Inglaterra has a neoclassic style, with elements that give it a touch of originality like the mosaics from Alicante in Spain and grilles brought especially from Seville, Spain. The Hotel Inglaterra is located in an exceptional way in the most authentic heart of Old Havana. Near Paseo del Prado, Central Park and of the Great Theater of Havana, this hotel is the starting point to discover the charms of Havana. Nowadays the emblematic Hotel Inglaterra puts at the service of its invited guests comfortable rooms equipped with the service and all that is necessary to guarantee your pleasant stay on it, within a classical colonial atmosphere. In Hotel Inglaterra its traditional restaurants for sure they will become of your delight, like is it the restaurant “El Colonial”, with a specific menu for each season of year. At its portals we can find the very well-known “El Louvre” Coffee Shop, this one linked with the transcendental moments of war of independence, where the visitors can enjoy the daily Cuban life from a sidewalk that shows slabs wich on its top have engraved works for prestigious artists of Cuban plastic arts.

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World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India. 

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio
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The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India. 

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio
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Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

 Link is in our bio

#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel  #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

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Find link in our bio

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Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem`s underground. Unveil the city`s secrets from home. 🌌

Find link in our bio

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