Regular guided tours in English and in Italian to the Levantine Synagogue and the Luzzatto midrash are available on Thursdays (from 11:30 am until 5:30 pm) and on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (from 10:30 am until 4:30 pm). It is possible to book private guided tours to 2 synagogues and the Luzzatto midrash.
Tour & Guide Language: Spanish
Izmir Jewish Heritage Tour and Synagogue Visits
You will be/can be met at the Kusadasi or Izmir Harbor, Izmir airport, or even at your Hotel in
Izmir and Kusadasi. Then drive to the Karatas area in Izmir.
Visit Beth Israel
Synagogue:
The construction of the Bet Israel Synagogue started on 15 March
1905 upon the decree of Sultan Abdulhamid II, and it was opened to worship in
1907. Bet Israel is the largest, most magnificent, and ceremonial synagogue in
Izmir. However, the temple differs from the traditional Izmir style with its
building style and seating arrangement. It was not built with a central plan
but has been a double practice of Teva from the very beginning. Due to the
location of the building plot, the Ehal (the closet where the Torah rolls are
stored) is placed on the south wall instead of the east wall.
Dario
Moreno Street:
It is located on Dario Moreno Street. There are old
Greek houses lined up left and right in this beautiful street, named after the
famous artist Dario Moreno from Izmir and was formerly called Elevator Street.
There is also the house on the street where Dario Moreno lived for a while.
These houses, each of which has been transformed into small and cute cafes and
art workshops today, add a different spirit to the street.
The Historical
Elevator:
The Historical
Elevator is the best structure to catch the unique view of Izmir Bay with its
promenade at the top. The elevator was built in 1907 by Jewish businessman Nesim
Levi to overcome the topographical barrier between hill neighborhoods above sea
level. Then drive to Konak Square and visit the clock
tower;
Konak Square – Clock Tower- Kemeralti Bazaar:
Izmir Clock Tower, the symbol of Izmir, is the Ottoman Sultan II. It
was built in 1901 as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of Abdulhamid’s
accession to the throne. Kemeralti Bazaar is called a
well-established commercial area. This commercial square, which was started
from the Hisar Mosque built in Izmir in 1592, has grown more and more. Since
the 19th century, inns and covered bazaars have been located in the Kemeralti
Bazaar, which has been the liveliest trade point in İzmir. However, the shops
here were referred to as small businesses that local people were interested in.
Options such as blacksmith, coal maker, nail maker, spice and straw bazaar were
located in Kemeralti Bazaar in the past. Commercial shops in different areas
were also found at various points.
Havra Street:
Havra Street, named after the
many synagogues in its vicinity, was a lively shopping center where Kosher
(Halal) food was produced and sold. According to their beliefs, the Jews of
Izmir used to obtain a significant part of their food needs, such as meat,
fish, chicken, yogurt, cheese, and eggs from Havra Street. As with other foods,
wine production was produced in and around this street in accordance with
Kosher rules. You will also have the opportunity to taste the dishes in the
Sephardic cosine. End of the tour drive back to the hotel.
Régine Baumgärtner
I offer guided city tours in English, Spanish, French or German.
The guided city tours can be undertaken by foot, by bike, with your own bus or by tramway. Some of the tours offered include: Traces of Jewish heritage in Strasbourg with the Mikvah; Figures: Goethe, A. Schweitzer, Gutenberg, famous women; City Center: Maison Kammerzell, Petite-France, etc; Cathedral: astronomical clock, crypt, stained glass windows, etc.; and Architecture: Gothic, Renaissance, French building from 18th Century, Art Nouveau, Art Deco
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.
Bein Harim Tourism Services
Bein Harim Tourism Services LTD is a leading Israeli government licensed travel company, who conducts custom-made guided tours all over Israel. The company offers many different trips in a variety of languages led by professional guides.
Lisbon Jewish tour
There is a story we want to tell you. A story revealed by the great masters forever preserved in endless secrets. It could be the Jewish presence in a piece of architecture or gastronomy or in that heritage of memories that bounces from generation to generation.
The City of Thousand Stories
Can you imagine all the stories that Lisbon has to tell you? What you have to do is sharpen your eyes. Come with us and discover legends and secrets lost in the cobblestones, kept in the magical stone vaults of the houses, in the bubbling of forgotten recipes, and, always, in the traditions. Be enchanted by the Jewish itinerary that remains steadfast around every corner, in the treading of every step. The city holds a memory that shines in the sun and welcomes everyone in its unforgettable light.
The Lisbon Jewish Tour
The Jewish route follows the beating of your heart and asks you to stop at this Largo de São Domingos, where a memorial stands in honor of the thousands of Jewish victims of the 1506 massacre.
The body and soul are already asking for rest. After all, there is already so much to keep. We taste a typical dish and leave a hint for those who have not yet tasted this delicacy. It arrived in Lisbon in the 15th century, from Asia, and you can choose “with them or without them”… guess what? Pulled together, let yourself go, sharpen your eyes, remember?
There are more stories to unveil, honor, and share in the eternal pacts between beauty and art, where Lisbon’s Jewish history lies. Now it is time to present it: We are already close to Largo do Carmo. You will feel the mysticism of this cosmopolitan corner that harbors a medieval era, where the oldest Jewish quarter in Lisbon, the one in Bairro da Pedreira, may have existed. Can you board this time machine?
Save the wisdom of essential elements of the Jewish community in the great epic of the Portuguese Discoveries. Their scientific and navigational studies helped trace the routes of the great seas and the designs of the new lands. And that is why they are already in Belém, with the Tagus in their arms. The Jerónimos Monastery, the Belem Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries are also heirs to the Jewish presence in Lisbon.
Can you still imagine all the stories this city has to tell you?
Jewish Buenos Aires Walking Tour
Come explore the history of the Jewish people in Argentina, from its colonial times to modernity. As we navigate the history of a 200,000+ collective, we’ll explore the neighborhoods of Once, Tribunales and Retiro.
We’ll go beyond tradition as we explore how politics and the broad history of Argentina shaped and made it’s Jewish population into what it is today.
We’ll see AMIA, known as “the mother institution” of Jewish life in Argentina, targeted by a terrorist attack in the 90s.
Later, we’ll visit the Jewish Museum and Libertad Synagogue. Here we’ll talk the “cryptojews” who escaped the European Inquisition by coming to Latin America, and how the population became organized as waves of Jewish immigrants entered the country in the late 1800s.
You’ll hear about the Jewish Gauchos, the only American Pogrom, the communist heritage of the URRS Jews, the “disappeared” of the last Argentine dictatorship and the challenges faced today by our community.
Jewish Buenos Aires and North of the city highlights
Come explore the history of the Jewish people in Argentina, from its colonial times to modernity. As we navigate the history, traditions and landmarks of South America’s largest community, we’ll explore the neighborhoods of Once, Tribunales, Retiro, Recoleta and the colonial city center of Plaza de Mayo.
We’ll go beyond tradition as we explore how politics and the broad history of Argentina shaped the Argentine Jewish Identity.
Discover the Argentine Jewish identity as you learn about:
-The origins and development of the Argentine Jewish Community.
-The iconic Jewish Gauchos of the countryside.
-The 1919 BA pogrom and the rise of antisemitism in Argentina.
-WW2 in Argentina: Peronism, Nazis, Allies, the hunt for Eichmann.
-The Disappeared Jews of the 1976 military dictatorship.
-The 90’s terrorist attacks and aftermath.
-Current events and challenges faced by our community.
Ariela Bodner
Ariela Bodner – Bespoke Jewish Tours!
Argentina is home to around 250.000 jews making it the largest Jewish community in the region and between the fifth and the sixth in the world!
Few communities in the world are so vibrant and engaged as the Jewish community in Buenos Aires!
Get to know this wonderful South American city from a Jewish perspective, through Jewish eyes and the ever present sparks of Yiddishkayt at every step!
Having worked for the largest Jewish humanitarian organization in the world for more than 18 years, I have welcomed legions of overseas visitors and federation´s missions to whom I introduced into the country´s rich Jewish heritage and present Jewish life and culture.
I invite you to connect, celebrate and foster Jewish history and identity, and its major impact on the world.
Tour length: 3.30 hs. approx. It could be a walking tour or I can rent a private car at disposal. I pick you at your hotel or where it´s convenient for you!
Some of the sites we visit: AMIA Jewish Federation (upon special request), Libertad Synagogue, Jewish Museum of Buenos Aires, Israeli Embassy square, Once Jewish neighbourhood or “Shmatta district”, Paso Synagogue, Shoah memorial, we could even stop at the Kosher Mc Donalds! and much more!
Feel free to get in contact, I´ll be happy to respond and hopefully meet you personally in your upcoming visit to Argentina, for a memorable taste of Jewish BA. I promise!
Warmly, Ariela
My Professional Bio:
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, within a traditionalist Jewish family, Ariela graduated from Maimonides Jewish Day School, Institution where her mother, proudly developed her passion for Jewish Education through her work as Principal for 25 years.
It was thanks to her family background and education that Ariela took immense pleasure in actively participating, getting involved and working for the Argentine Jewish Community.
Having collaborated with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the world´s leading Jewish Humanitarian Assistance Organization, for the last 18 years, Ariela has acquired a practical experience in different areas of the organization, holding the responsibility of assisting the regional and the Special Programs Directors, and coordinating a vast agenda of missions and overseas visitors to whom she introduces into the lively and vibrant world of the Jewish Community in Argentina.
In this role, among other duties, Ariela has been responsible for the overall coordination of missions, the contact with US institutions, Jewish federations and donors; a task which not only involves planning and logistics but also direct contact with people through Jewish Community briefings, Jewish general sightseeing and Institutional touring.
Prior to joining JDC, Ariela obtained degrees in Jewish Studies and Hotel Management, having worked in the hospitality industry for several years, until she decided to devote herself to the Jewish institutional life.
Passionate about Jewish learning, making Jewish connections and sharing Jewish life in Argentina, Ariela also became a licensed Jewish tour guide, tremendously enjoying this experience, and definitely making this tour a highlight in your trip!
Ariela is 45 years old, married and has two children.
