Mosaic Traditions of Spain - Jewish History...
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Madrid Segovia Toledo Cordoba Seville Escorted by Claire Goldstein Simmons, Jewish Historian and Educator “The most enduring commitments to Judaism are born of intellectual engagement with its history and its lessons.” The story of the Sephardic Jews in Spain is the story of a magnificent partnership between Jews and Muslims. Together the Jews of Spain and the Muslim Moors built a civilization that was more advanced and enlightened than any civilization in Europe at that time. This golden age for Spanish Jewry produced a Jewish intellectual and spiritual life that has never been equaled in the Diaspora. Jewish physicians practiced and taught medicine; Jewish scholars translated Greek and Hebrew texts into Arabic and Latin; Jewish scientists brought light to the dark corners of Europe. Come and rediscover this golden age of Jewish philosophers, poets and entrepreneurs.
Transcript of Mosaic Traditions of Spain - Jewish History...
Mosaic Traditions of SpainMadrid Segovia Toledo Cordoba Seville
Escorted by Claire Goldstein Simmons, Jewish Historian and Educator
“The most enduring
commitments to
Judaism are born
of intellectual
engagement with its
history and its lessons.”
The story of the Sephardic Jews in Spain is the story of a magnificent partnership between Jews and Muslims. Together the Jews of Spain and the Muslim Moors built a civilization that was more advanced and enlightened than any civilization in Europe at that time. This golden age for Spanish Jewry produced a Jewish intellectual and spiritual life that has never been equaled in the Diaspora. Jewish physicians practiced and taught medicine; Jewish scholars translated Greek and Hebrew texts into Arabic and Latin; Jewish scientists brought light to the dark corners of Europe.
Come and rediscover this golden age of Jewish philosophers, poets and entrepreneurs.
TOUR DATESMeet in Madrid on October 14, 2013Depart from Seville on October 20, 2013(Departure from the U.S on October 13, 2013)
TOUR FEATURESSix nights accommodations in four star deluxe hotels including •breakfast, taxes, service charges and baggage handling (1 standard size bag plus 1 carry-on per person) includedEscorted by Jewish Historian and Educator, Claire Goldstein •SimmonsGroup discussions on tour•Extensive sightseeing with expert local guides as described, •including entrance fees where applicableConcert at the Sefard Museum in Cordoba•Farewell Dinner•Private deluxe motor coach throughout the tour•Comprehensive tour manual•Custom laminated luggage tags•
Please note this trip involves considerable walking uphill, on uneven and cobble stone streets.
TOUR PRICE (LAND ONLY)$3,679.00 per person (Double Occupancy)$779.00 per person (Single Supplement)
AIR ARRANGEMENTSWe will gladly assist you with any airline reservations. To make air arrangements please call (240) 387-4160.
PRE AND POST TOURS / HOTEL EXTENSIONS / TRANSFERSTo make pre and post stays for the tour, or transfer arrangements, please call Carla Koller at (240) 387-4160 or email at [email protected].
CANCELLATION INSURANCETour cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Premiums are available upon request.
Mosaic Traditions of Spain
Day 1 – MadridThis afternoon we will meet at 1:30 PM our hotel for our opening discussion and introductions before starting our afternoon walking tour of the old city. The history of Madrid Jewry is much like the history of Jews elsewhere in Spain, consisting of periods of great development layered between periods of severe persecution. We will view the old Moorish walls that were part of the 9th century Arab fortress and the sumptuous palaces that were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. We will end our walk in the Plaza Mayor to bear witness to the many Auto De-Fes that took place in Spain. Overnight Madrid Day 2 – SegoviaWe head out today to visit the medieval city of Segovia, whose old city and aqueduct have been awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO. The Jewish quarter in Segovia is one of the most charming parts of the historic center. We will visit the Old Main Synagogue, the Teaching Center, the gate of San Andres, the Segovia Museum and the Jewish Cemetery. We will have a few free hours to wander the streets before heading back to Madrid for the night. Overnight Madrid Day 3 - Toledo - CordobaThis morning we travel to Toledo, which remains much as it was in the XVI century. Jews played a pivotal role in Toledo’s history since the last years of the Roman occupation in 192 B.C.E. The Jews became known as money-lenders, merchants of fine cloths, and intellectuals. For centuriesscientists, philosophers, poets and artists of widely differing backgrounds gathered in Toledo to exchange ideas with the Jews. We will tour the city as well as visit the Synagogues and the Jewish Museum.
After our visit in Toledo, we will travel to Cordoba where we spend the night.
Overnight Cordoba
Day 4 - Cordoba - SevilleThis morning we will explore the city of Córdoba, the Capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus. Córdoba, with its beautiful districts of quaint streets and squares played a pivotal role in the history of Jewish life in the middle ages. In the tenth century it became the seat of Jewish learning, scholarship and culture, gradually replacing the Babylonian academies of Sura and Pumbeditha.
WewillvisittheCórdobaSynagogue,anhistoricedificeinthe Jewish Quarter of Córdoba built in 1315. The synagogue was built in Mudejar Style by architects led by Isaac Moheb. The synagogue has been through many transformations since the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, and
reopened is 1985 to celebrate the 850th anniversary of birth of Maimonides. We will also visit the Casa de Sefarad - Casa de la Memoria, which displays items from the pre expulsion period. We will view replicas of Jewish homes and feel the warmth of their Sepharadic traditions.
This afternoon we will continue on to Seville which will be our home for the next three nights. Overnight in Seville Day 5- SevilleSeville is a city shaped by both Renaissance and Arabic influences.AncienttextplacesJewsinSevilleatthetimeofthedestructionofthefirstTemple(586BCE).Wewillspendthe morning on a historical walking tour through this beautiful city, uncovering this once vibrant Jewish community with its narrow streets of whitewashed houses and hidden squares. This emotional journey will reveal the uniqueness of Seville’s Jewish past and present and help explain what lead to the explosion of our ancestors from Andalusia in 1492.
Day 6 – SevilleThe morning will be at leisure.
In the afternoon we will continue are exploration of this vibrant city to see the “Reales Alcazares” (Royal Palace), the Plaza de Expana, built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1920, and Seville’s Gothic Cathedral, with its wonderful bell tower, the Giralda Tower. We will have time to enjoy the picturesque alleys and hidden plazas of this seductive city. Day 7 – Departure for the USAToday we say “adios” to this magical country.
Note: Itinerary and hotels are subject to change.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Claire Goldstein Simmons
Born in Czechoslovakia, her family emigrated to Israel in 1949 and lived in Hadera from 1949-1956. The Goldstein family came to the United States in 1956. A graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, she established the Hebrew Department at the American University in Washington, D.C. and has taught Jewish history and the Holocaust for overthirtyfiveyears.
Claire was one of the founding teachers of the upper school of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland. She served as the Chairperson of the Jewish History Department from 1980-1994. Claire has written and lectured widely on Jewish civilization, American Jewish memory and the Holocaust. She is a fluent speaker of Hebrew andYiddish.
www.JewishHistoryTravels.com
CONTACTS:
Tour Registration (online):jewishhistorytravels.com
Airline Reservations:Local: (240) 387-4033Toll Free: (877) [email protected]
Pre & Post Tour/ Hotel Extensions/ Transfers:
Carla KollerLocal: (240) 387-4160Toll Free: (800) [email protected]
Program Information:Claire Goldstein SimmonsPh: (240) [email protected]
Jewish History Travels9000 Virginia Manor Rd, #201Beltsville, Maryland 20705
DEPOSIT: A deposit in the amount of $1500 per person is due at time of registration. Upon receiptofthedepositpayment,JewishHistoryTravelswillsendyouawrittenconfirmationalongwithinformationforfinalpayment.
FINAL PAYMENT: Final payment will be due by 60 days prior to departure date. Final payment can be made by a check or any major credit card.
This tour is based on a minimum participation of 20 tour members. If participants are less than 20, Jewish History Travels reserves the right to increase the tour price. If the tour price increases and you wish to cancel the tour, you will be able to cancel without penalty.
CANCELLATION PENALTIES: Cancellations made to the tour will be subject to the following penalties:
Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to departure date is subject to a $750 •penalty.Cancellations received between 60 - 46 days prior to departure date are subject to a •$1,500 penalty.Cancellations received 45 days or less prior to departure is subject to 100% penalty.•
CANCELLATION INSURANCE: Tour cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Premiums are available upon request.
VISAS: All TOUR PARTICIPANTS that are not US Citizens are responsible to obtain the necessary visas. We will gladly advise you of the required visas based on the country which you hold a passport for.
DISCLAIMER: Many components of the tour are paid for in local currency. Should there beasignificantdecreaseinthevalueofthedollar,wereservetherighttoadjustthecostof the tour.
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