Exploring Jewish Spain with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern August 3-14, 2015

Transcription

1 Exploring Jewish with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern August 3-14, 2015 SPAIN After the Muslim conquest and during the Christian Reconquest, Jews lived in from 713 through and later as conversos through the 17th century, for almost a millennium. This trip will explore fascinating episodes of Jewish interaction with Muslims and Christians that shaped Judaic hybrid cultural, religious, and artistic experiences. Combining brief lectures and interactive text studies, this tour will explore the Golden Age of Jewish literature in, including poetry of ibn Gebirol, Dunash ben Labrat, and Yehuda Halevi; prose of Yehuda al-harizi; rational philosophy of Maimonides and psychological insights of Nahmanides. The participants will also discuss patterns of Jewish interaction with Muslim and Christian cultures, medieval violence, mass conversion of the Jews and the sub-culture of the conversos, the story behind juderias (Jewish quarters) and the expulsion of the Jews, ups and downs of the Inquisition-- and the legacy of the Spanish (Sefradic) Jewry. Conversations, lectures and discussions will be thematically linked to the specific localities and will provide a broader context and a deeper understanding of the the spirit of the sites. YOHANAN PETROVSKY-SHTERN, SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE (or rather ON-THE-WHEELS) The Crown Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Northwestern University where he Land Only* teaches Early Modern and Modern Jewish Rates Per Person History. He is a prize-winning author of six books who lectured on Jewish Sephardic Double Single experience in Jerusalem, Moscow, Lviv, Occupancy Supplement Krakow, Boston, and Chicago. Currently he is $3998 $865 working on a documentary history of Jews in early modern world. *including flight from Seville to Barcelona Susan Engoltz x x253 susane@giltravel.com Gil Tours Travel, Inc 1511 Walnut St. 2nd floor Philadelphia PA

2 Exploring Jewish with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern August 3 14, 2015 MONDAY AUG 3 Madrid TUESDAY AUG 4 Palacio Real WEDNESDAY AUG 5 El Transito Synagogue Photo by Selbymay / Commons THURSDAY AUG 6 Jaén Aerial Photo by Juan Fernandez / flickr Welcome to This afternoon a walking tour of Madrid will take the visitors though the city center and the Recoletos area. Beginning at Puerta del Sol, we will walk past the Monastery of Descalzas Reales, the San Fernando Fine Arts Academy, the Spanish Congress, Lope de Vega house, Echegaray Street, Santa Ana Square, Plaza Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá, Recoletos Boulevard, El Retiro Park. Welcome dinner. O/N Madrid (B, D) Madrid Museums and Palace Visit to Royal Palace and the Museo del Prado. See the impressive Royal Palace (Palacio Real) as well as two of Europe's grandest squares: Plaza Mayor, with arts, crafts and chic boutiques under its arcades, and the Spanish version of Times Square - Puerta del Sol. Continue on to one of the most famous art museums in the world: el Prado with its priceless collections of Spanish art by Velazquez, Goya, Zurbarán and El Greco. O/N Madrid (B) Toledo Full day exploring Toledo. This day is devoted to Toledo, perched high on a hill by the Tagus River. With its naturally fortified location, Toledo was once the true center of, and is widely considered a "pearl" for its subtle beauty. This city was also the center for Jewish, with a rich, creative heritage. You will feel this atmosphere as you stroll through the narrow alleys of its historic section. See El Greco's house, formerly the palace of the prominent Samuel Halevy (the Jewish treasurer of King Pedro I, and architect of the El Tránsito synagogue). Continue to Santa Maria La Blanca synagogue, later converted to a church, and to the El Transito synagogue, which today houses the Sephardic Museum. Enjoy dinner tonight in our beautiful parador. O/N Toledo (B, D) Jewish communities in Andalusia and to Granada Úbeda and Jaén. To Granada Heading southbound from Madrid, we will stop en route at Úbeda to see its fascinating synagogue del Agua (Water). In 2007 a builder was about to demolish an old house to build up some apartments for sale. While looking at the old stones and rooms in the building he thought the entire structure looked special and very unique. The old building in Úbeda kept one of the better secrets of.a hidden synagogue housing 7 wells with free flowing water and a ritual bath in the basement. Ironically the building next door to what now we know was a synagogue was the house of the head of the Inquisition of Úbeda for centuries. Later on, we will discover the Jewish Quarter in nearby Jaén. The importance of Jaén s Judería (Jewish Quarter) is highlighted by the presence of Hasday ibn Shaprut, counsellor to the Caliphs of Cordova, promoter of Hispano- Hebrew poetry, and a 10th century forerunner of the so-called Golden Age of Spanish Jews. O/N Granada (B)

3 FRIDAY AUG 7 Cordoba Jewish Quarter Photo by Elliot Brown / flickr La Alhambra Photo by Javier Carro / Commons SATURDAY AUG 8 Cordoba Mezquita Interior of Mezquita Photos by Nicolas Vollmer / flickr SUNDAY AUG 9 Seville Square Shabbat Shalom Cordoba Visit the Jewish Museum. PM: Alhambra & Generalife, Granada. Surrounding by mountains, Granada is easily one of the most spectacular cities in and Europe. The Jewish Museum, which is called The Palace of the Forgotten, opened in 2013 and is housed inside the Santa Ines palace located in Albaicin a neighborhood in the city s old center where many Jews used to live before 1492, when they were forced to convert to Christianity or flee. The museum contains Judaica artifacts, archeological findings such as ceramic utensils, furniture, artworks and other valuables recovered from Jewish homes. The museum features the restoration of a mikvah ritual bath from before the 15th century, which is among the few well-preserved mikvehs from that period ever excavated in. Next is La Alhambra: home to Arab Sultans and designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Granada s massive Moorish castle was built over many centuries. It consists of gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces. Its splendor comes from the idea of recreating Heaven on Earth. The Alhambra complex is designed in the Mudejar style which is characteristic of Western elements reinterpreted into Islamic forms. End the day in Cordoba. O/N Cordoba (B) Walking the Juderia of Cordoba Visit Cordoba Considered the most populous city in the World during the 10 th Century as well as the intellectual center of Europe, Córdoba was the former home of many Jewish scholars and poets. Córdoba thrived and expanded with its unique blend of cultures. These are beautifully expressed with a visit to Mosque (mezquita), the most significant Muslim architectural achievement in the Western world. This 8th century structure was first a church, then a mosque, and today has a cathedral oddly placed in its center. Walk the street leading up to the Juderia, with its whitewashed houses and colorful courtyards and shops. Though not Jewish in its current expression, a few signs hint of the Golden Age of Jewish life. Note, for example, the tiny, gem-like Synagogue, as well as the statue of the great court doctor and Torah sage, Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon). O/N Córdoba (B) Seville and Flamenco Transfer to Seville Visit Seville s Alcázar & Cathedral. Walking tour of Seville and tour the imposing Cathedral, one of the largest in the world. Here, find the resting place of Spanish Kings and Queens, as well as the impressive sepulcher of Christopher Columbus. Continue past the Alcazar Palace, still used as a residence for the Spanish Royal Family, to the grand Plaza España, site of the pavilion of the great 1929 exhibition. Last but not least, visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz - the former Jewish Quarter. We will also enjoy a traditional dinner and show of Flamenco dancing at its birthplace: Andalusia O/N Seville (B,D)

4 MONDAY AUG 10 Barcelona This morning we will fly to Barcelona. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Barcelona including Mountjuic Mountain & the Olympic Port. Afternoon tapas tasting tour on Las Ramblas, one of the most popular and beloved streets in. O/N Barcelona (B, L) TUESDAY AUG 11 Jewish Barcelona and Gaudi Today tour through the centuries-old streets and alleys of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. You tour will include an introduction to this former Jewish area. Visit one of 's landmarks: the architectural masterwork of Antonio Gaudi, known as the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family). This cathedral is imaginatively (some say eccentrically) conceived as a looming, magnificent sand castle. Park Güell was commissioned by Eusebi Güell who wanted to create a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy. The park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. Gaudi s dragon fountain at the entrance to the park is iconic. Gaudí was strongly influenced by natural shapes and used them in his work. Sagrada Familia Photo by Andrew E. Larsen / flickr WEDNESDAY AUG 12 At the top of Güell park is a terraced area where you get a wonderful view of the park and of Barcelona City. O/N Barcelona (B) Girona and Besalu Tour Girona Medieval town & Besalú old Mikveh. Visit Girona, a charming example of 's quaint early-medieval ambience, and a reminder of the time when Jewish traditions bloomed. Girona was once a link between the first Kabbalists of Provence and the poets and writers of Córdoba and Toledo, also major Kabbalah Centers. Jewish settlers came to Girona at the end of the 9th century, growing and prospering until the Spanish Inquisition forced them into exile in a span of 500 years. Enjoy a visit to the Jewish Museum, and stroll through the "Call" (Jewish Quarter), which still evokes this precious Jewish culture, an important part of the Golden Age of, together with the Great synagogue (Sinagoga Major), one of the oldest in Europe, which has recently been restored. Besalú old Mikveh Photo by Arie Darzi / Commons Afterwards we will stop at Besalú town to admire its spectacular 11 th century fortified stone-bridge and the best and oldest preserved Mikveh in the Iberic Peninsula. Tonight enjoy a Farewell dinner together. O/N Barcelona (B, D) THURSDAY AUG 13 At leisure in Barcelona Day at Leisure in Barcelona O/N Barcelona (B) FRIDAY AUG 14 Departure day Departure to US or extension to Bilbao Meals included as indicated: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner ***Note: All Itineraries are subject to change

5 Hotel List 4-star hotels ****, subject to availability Innside Suecia, Madrid Marqués de Casa Riera, 4, Madrid Tel: (34) Parador, Toledo Cerro Del Emperador, s/n, Toledo Tel: (34) parador-de-toledo NH Victoria, Granada Puerta Real, 3, Granada Tel: (34) n/madrid/innside-madridsuecia/index.html Las Casas de la Judería, Córdoba Calle Tomás Conde, Córdoba Tel: (34) doba.com/ Zenit Sevilla, Seville Pagés del Corro, 90, Seville Tel: (34) Avenida Palace, Barcelona Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, 605, Barcelona Tel: (34)

6 Exploring Jewish with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern August 3-15, 2015 PLEASE PRINT IN BLOCK LETTERS. ENTER EACH NAME AS THEY APPEAR IN PASSPORT # IN PARTY NAME(S) (As it appears on passport) AND MANDATORY INFORMATION REQUIRED BY AIRLINES PASSENGER 1 Check one: Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Rabbi Pastor/Rev. FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME LAST NAME PASSPORT #* EXP DATE PLACE ISSUED NATIONALITY DATE OF BIRTH BIRTHPLACE PASSENGER 2 Check one: Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Rabbi FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME LAST NAME PASSPORT #* Exp DATE PLACE ISSUED NATIONALITY DATE OF BIRTH BIRTHPLACE *Please note: For travel to Israel it is required that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after date of return MAILING ADDRESS (No P.O. Boxes - Please include your zip code) HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE FAX PHONE CELL PHONE ADDRESS SPECIAL REQUESTS CAN BE REQUESTED BUT NOT GUARANTEED (MEALS, SEATS, ETC.) ARE YOU OR ANY OF THE ACCOMPANYING PERSONS MEMBERS OF A FREQUENT FLYER CLUB THAT HONORS THE AIRLINE YOU ARE FLYING ON? PARTICIPANT NAME AIRLINE MEMBER NUMBER ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND [ ] CHECK - DEPOSIT OF $ $ per person [ ] CHECK - FULL PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $ [ ] PLEASE CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD [ ] VISA [ ] MASTERCARD [ ] AMEX CARD #: EXP. DATE: CBC # SIGNATURE: NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD: I authorize GIL TRAVEL to charge the above credit card in the amount of $ for the transportation and/or related charges for the above named tour. I understand that the amount charged to my credit card account will be reflected on my credit card statement within three days of authorization. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO GIL TOURS TRAVEL. SEND CHECK, RESERVATION FORM AND A COPY OF EACH PARTICIPANT PASSPORT TO: GIL TRAVEL, 1511 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA PA I have read and accept the terms and conditions on the reverse side of this form. SIGNATURE: DATE:

7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS PAYMENTS: All reservations forms must be accompanied by a deposit of $1000 per person. Full payment is due by June 1, Checks for the entire package should be made payable to Gil Tours Travel. Gil Travel accepts Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Discover. LAND ARRANGEMENTS: Sightseeing is included as per itinerary provided. Package is based on double occupancy sharing a twin-bedded room with private facilities including all taxes and service charges. Double rooms must be booked for two (2) persons. Gil Travel does not arrange sharing. Single rooms are available at an additional cost. Gil Travel reserved the right to substitute hotels according to availability with adjustment where necessary. AIR ARRANGEMENTS: Packages are based on departure from specified gateway cities. Fares from other cities are available on request. Airfares are based on lowest available fares subject to change and fare restrictions. 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