Madrid -Toledo- Zaragoza- Córdoba- Granada –Malaga - Torremolinos - Gibraltar -
Seville – Barcelona, Gerona – Besalú (Besalu’s-Mikva) Center for Sephardic studies- Barcelona
For more information about the Itinerary,
Please call Rabbi Cohen at 206-947-7791 or E-mail Rabbi at scali3@juno.com
For applications, reservations and all other travel related information
Please call Sara at ITC tours 800-247-7235 or E-mail at sara@israeltours.com
View itinerary and application at - www.israeltours.com/RabbiCohenScali.php
Tour arranged by ITC Tours, LLC.
April 29. Depart JFK-Madrid overnight flight from JFK
April 30. Madrid, Arrive Madrid
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. Though once a thriving
center of Jewish life, most of Madrid's Jewish population was
brutally murdered during the riots of 1391, while many others fled
or converted to escape persecution. Jewish life in Madrid came to
an end in 1492 with the expulsion of Jews from all of Spain.
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon after lunch
city tour include its synagogue Kosher Catered Dinner at your
hotel.
Overnight at Melia Galgos Hotel.
May 1. Madrid Toledo - Madrid
After breakfast drive to Toledo.
Toledo had one of the largest Jewish populations in Spain and as a
result is a great place to see the old Jewish quarter which
stretches from Calle Taller del Moro as far as the city walls at
the Puerta Del Cambrón. Two of the city’s ten synagogues still
exist, even after they were converted into churches following the
expulsion of the Jews. The Sinagoga Del Tránsito and the
Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca are both popular sights Jewish
Toledo, which had one of the largest Jewish populations in Spain.
A good place to see the old Jewish quarter is from the Mirador de
San Cristóbal. Two of the city's ten synagogues still survive as
they had been converted into churches following the expulsion of
the Jews - the Sinagoga Del Tránsito (now a museum) and the
Sinagoga Santa Maria la Blanca. Return for overnight in Madrid,
Dinner ON YOUR OWN.
Overnight at Melia Galgos Hotel.
May 2. Madrid - Córdoba
Breakfast and departure by fast train
to Córdoba whose Jewish community was highly influential in the
peninsula during 10th century. Cordoba was home to a vibrant
Jewish scholarly life, as evinced by the early Talmudic academies
and by scholars such as HasdaiIbn Shaprut and Moses Maimonides.
Visit it to the city aljama, whose narrow streets and small squares
form a perfect framework to the city´s Umayyad mosque (today,
Cordoba´s cathedral) Visit to the synagogue, built in 1315 and
characterized by its austere exterior and richly decorated interiors.
Kosher Catered Dinner at hotel.
Overnight Cordoba
Conquistador Hotel.
May 3. Córdoba – Granada- Córdoba
Córdoba's Jewish quarter is one of the most famous in Spain. The
whitewashed walls of the district just north of the great
Mezquita mosque are one of the most popular sites in the city.
The 14th-century synagogue in Córdoba is the only one in
Andalusia and the only synagogue in Spain that was never turned
into a Christian building. Other important sights in the Jewish
Quarter include a bull museum and a monument to Jewish philosopher
and Doctor Maimonides. Kosher Catered Dinner at hotel.
o
O
vernight Cordoba Conquistador Hotel.
May 4. Córdoba – Malaga- Torremolinos - Gibraltar
After breakfast drive to Malaga the capital of the Costa del Sol
an important port city in Andalusia (Southern Spain) Spain's
Coastal Plain. Malaga has a population of 1,200 Jews out.
After lunch continue to Torremolinos through the famous Costa
del Sol continue to Gibraltar which lies at the southwest tip of
the Iberian Peninsula. Jews have lived in Gibraltar at least since
1356. Today the Jewish community of Gibraltar is again growing;
almost the entire community is Sephardim, Get ready for Shabbat
Shabbat Kosher dinner Catered to Hotel or with community members.
Overnight at Elliot hotel
May 5. Shabbat in Gibraltar free day
Shabbat activities, lunch + Seuda Shlishit kosher catered at hotel. Free evening
Overnight at Elliot hotel
May 6. Gibraltar - Seville
After breakfast drive to Seville, an
ancient tradition places Jews in Seville at the time of the
destruction of the first Temple (586 BCE). In fact, several influential
Jewish families of Seville (Abrabanel included) claim to be
descendants of King David. Amazingly, there is even some speculation
that Jews settled in this region as far back as the 11th century
B.C.E. The source of this belief rests on the identification of
Seville with the distant port of Tarshish which is mentioned in the
Bible."For the king had a Tarshish fleet on the sea, along with
Hiram's fleet. Once every three years, the Tarshish fleet came in,
bearing gold and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks."(I Kings 10:22).
Kosher dinner Catered to Hotel.
Overnight in Seville Becquer hotel.
May 7. Seville – Barcelona
After breakfast depart for the airport
for your early flight to Barcelona, Transfer to hotel, after a short
break in the afternoon, city tour: the Barrio Gótico (‘Old Gothic
Quarter’), the old Jewish Quarter, the Ramblas, Montjuich (‘Hill
of the Jews’). The Jewish community of Barcelona dates to the
9th century. Today Barcelona houses a growing and vibrant Jewish
community. See Gaudi’s Barcelona incl. Sagrada Familia, Park Güell
and Casa Batló, enjoy Pueblo Espanyol and a flamenco show or have
a guided tour at FC Barcelona’s famous stadium Camp Nou.
What remains in Barcelona today is but a remnant of the rich
Jewish culture that existed during the Golden Age of Spain. One
of the main attractions that are still in existence is the ancient
Call (Juderia, or ghetto) and the Sinagoga Mayor of Barcelona
lying just outside Barcelona proper is two other ancient Jewish
sites. The cemetery of Montjuic houses the last remains of some
of the most notable members of the pre-expulsion Spanish community
and is officially a city park. Rabbi Moshe Ben Achman
(Nachmanides/Ramban) Kosher catered dinner at hotel or Jewish
community.
Overnight at Presidente hotel.
May 8. Barcelona- Gerona-Barcelona
Departure for Gerona, home to an important Jewish community
since the 11th century and to various learned men, including
Najmanides. Gerona has one of the most interesting medieval
Jewish quarters (the call), with homes of exquisite architecture.
Highlights of the quarter include the cultural center of Isaac the
Blind, the center for Sephardic studies, and the remains of the
synagogue. Departure for Besalú, an important historic and artistic
center in the banks of the Fluviá River and former capital of an
ancient county. Of particular interest is Besalú´s mikva or place
for ablutions that dates to the 11th-12th centuries. Return to
Barcelona Free evening, dinner on your own.
Overnight at
Presidente hotel.
May 9. Barcelona - Free day
Free day to explore and shop
Barcelona, we will get together for a catered kosher farewell dinner.
Overnight at Presiente hotel.
May 10. Barcelona- USA Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
Flight to USA Begin planning your next trip with Rabbi Cohen
Itinerary Subject to Change
Itinerary