| JEWISH
HERITAGE TOUR Prominent historians have acknowledge that Jews used to live in Romania as early as the Dacian Kingdom. Ancient Greek inscriptions refer to a Jewish colony on the shores of the Black Sea as early as the 5th Century BC, which was turned into a Roman colony in 2nd Century AD. Archeological evidence from 2nd and the Centuries point to presence of Jews brought in from Judea by the Roman legions, later historical documents mention and outline the presence of Jewish life in the 13-14th Centuries and more markedly in the 16th Century. During the middle Ages most of the Jewish communities settled in Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania, and grew after Spain’s expulsion of the Jews in 1942. By early 16th century, the population once again increased due to those fleeing the persecution by Cossacks in Poland and Ukraine, During the region’s domination by the Turks, the Jewish Romanian community evolved into a prosperous middle class very much involved in trade. The synagogues and museums that we will visit during this tour, will reflect the culture of each region and the unique architectures influenced by the centuries of changing borders. ITINERARY: Day 1: Depart USA Thursday, arrive in Bucharest. Friday go to hotel for rest and meal. Attend Sabbath at Choral Temple, built in 1857, erected as a living monument of the emancipation of Romanian Jews, noted for its Moorish turrets, choir loft and organ. Day 2: Jewish Community Center to obtain interesting tourist spots to be seen in and around the region. Learn about the history of Jewish people in this region of Romania. Explore the city for its entire natural heritage, customs, and foods. Bucharest also has four other Synagogues’, The Great Synagogue, erected between 1846-1847 during the reign of Gorge Bibescu. It’s a big, spacious, multipurpose edifice and is now a museum noted for the sculpture of the mourning women, it’s open on Wednesday and Sunday. Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel, in the city centre of Bucharest. Day 3: The other three Synagogues are The Yeshua Tova synagogue, built in 1827 and still in use. The synagogue is rather squeezed between adjoining buildings, and has latticed façade in the form of a monumental triptych, which catches a passerby’s attention. The Credinta (Faith) Synagogue, built in 1927, still in use. Styled in the modern fashion of the interwar period both inside and outside. The Akhdut Kodesh (Holy Union) Synagogue, built between 1837-1850 and had been turned into a History Museum of the Jewish Communities in Romania. It’s a very tall building with two-tiered galleries supported by steel columns, and a tall three-foiled arch above the Aron Kodesh (Holy Arch). Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel, in the city centre of Bucharest. Day 4: The Great Synagogue in Ploiesti (12, Basarabilor Str., Prahova County) was erected in 1794 – 1795, has a bulky appearance, and the interior is restrained and based for the most part on structural elements and less on added ornaments. The Jewish Temple in Brasov cost 1.2 million gold kronen built in 1898-1901 on a design by Austrian Jewish architect Leopold Baumhorn. Accommodation and dinner at 4* hotel, in Brasov. Day 5: We will be going to Piatra-Neamt to visit two Synagogues. The Cathedral Synagogue (21, Iernici Str.) built of wood in 1766 then done in stone between 1826 and 1928. The Great Temple (Leipziger Bet ha-MidrashTemple) erected in 1839 by the Kolomeir brothers-Shmiel, David and Pinkas. Both buildings are at the foot of Mount Cozia. Prince Demetrius Cantemir told the Jewish community that they could build Synagogues wherever they wanted as long as they were made out of timber. Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel, in Piatra Neamt. Day 6: Tour bus to Iasi headquarters of Hacham Bashim in the 17th Century and one of the great European centers of Jewish Learning during the 19th Century has one remaining synagogue, the Great synagogue, built in 1671. It is now a museum, open by appointment. Here you will go to the Jewish community Center located. Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel Moldova, in Iasi. Day 7: In Suceava County the Great Temple at Siret was built in 1840. The big bulk of the main worship hall has another shorter volume standing in front of it. This synagogue has skillfully crafted the pillars, small conches and belt-courses found in Orthodox Christian churches in the area. While here as an optional tour you may wish to visit the Putna Fortress/Monastery built between 1466 and 1469. The fortress is noted for its collection of embroideries, fabrics, manuscripts, and silverware. Accommodation and dinner at 4* hotel-villa, in Sucevita. Day 8: Cluj-Napoca is noted for the Deportees Temple (21, Horea Str) this is a large structure built in 1866. This Synagogue has a very unique history. The tour guide will tell you all about this Synagogue. One interesting aspect of this Synagogue is its neoclassic interior. Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel, in Cluj Napoca. Day 9: In Satu Mare, known as the birthplace of Satmar Hasidim, there are just 80 Jewish families to keep the magnificent Great Temple and Saar Hatorah Synagogue. in use. Both are located at 4, Decebal Street in Satu Mare. The walls of the Great Temple are completely covered with frescoes depicting biblical scenes. If time permits you may wish to visit other interesting areas of this region. Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel, in Oradea. Day 10: The Great Temple in Oradea built in 1890 (4, Mihai Viteazu St) has a similar style as the temple in Cluj, and Satu-Mare. The Neologic Zion synagogue in Oradea (22 Independentei Str) is a large type sanctuary built in 1878. This is one of the oldest Jewish communities in the region. If time permits you will love to see the silver goblet unearth in the towns old citadel in 1895 with an inscription saying one Mosehe Sofer presented it to the local Jewish community in 1450. The tour is almost done and you can enjoy the atmosphere of the region. In Timisoara here we will visit the Fabric synagogue built 1899 and there is also the Josefin Temple built 1906-1910 , and the Spanish Temple not in use. Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel, in Timisoara. As an optional end to the tour we cross the border into Budapest to see the greatest Synagogue. Day 11: The tour is ending in Bucharest, where we return following the route via Sibiu, a beautiful mediaeval town where we stop for lunch and Ramnicu Valcea, crossing the mountains along the scenery valley of Olt, one of the most beautiful landscape from Romania.Accommodation and dinner at 3* hotel, in the city centre of Bucharest. Day 12: Transfer and assistance to the International Airport Bucharest Otopeni. End of services. Full distance: ~ 2550 km Daily distances: 40 km (Day 1); 100 km (Day 2); 100 km (Day 3); 250 km (Day 4); 300 km (Day 5); 150 km (Day 6); 250 km (Day 7); 300 km (Day 8); 320 km (Day 9); 200 km (Day 10); 500 km (Day 11); 40 km (Day 12) Accommodations: Hotel Opera 3* - Bucuresti, 4 nights; Hotel Aro Palace 4* - Brasov, Hotel Central, 3* - Piatra Neamt, Hotel Moldova 3* - Iasi, Hotel Bucovina 4* - Sucevita, Hotel Paradis/ Continental 3* - Cluj-Napoca, Hotel Continental 3* - Oradea , Hotel Doria 3* - Timisoara or similar hotels. Included
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