Sephardic Balkans: Jewish Heritage Trips

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Sephardic Balkans: Jewish Heritage Trips

We offer Jewish heritage tours to the Balkans. We focus on Jewish history, culture, and traditions. Joseph Benatov holds a Ph.D.

Sephardic Balkans: Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece

Offered every summer, normally in June

Travel program led by Joseph Benatov

In 1943, Bulgaria complied with German demands and deported nearly 11,400 Jews from occupied territories in northern Greece and Yugoslavia (Macedonia). At the same time, Bulgaria resisted German pressures to deport the 50,000 Jews living in Bulgaria. As we travel,

we will analyze the historical context for these events and will experience first hand the rich Sephardic history and culture of these Jewish communities. Seven overnights in Bulgaria, two in Macedonia, and two in Thessaloniki (Salonika), Greece, will allow us to:

* Explore Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s two main cities, and meet their vibrant Jewish communities. Listen to the melodious Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) spoken – and sung! -- by the older generation. Appreciate traditional Sephardi handiwork crafted by women of the “Blessed Hands” group. Savor a rich spread of classical Sephardic dishes, specially prepared for us.

* Navigate the streets and bazaars of North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, and visit the new Holocaust Memorial and the Bet Yaakov Synagogue. Revel in the beauties of North Macedonia’s most spellbinding city-on-a-lake – Ohrid.

* Enjoy the spectacular beauties of Thessaloniki – “the Jerusalem of the Balkans” – as we visit its two synagogues and the city’s cultural sites.

* Visit Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery, the medieval capital Veliko Turnovo, the Rhodope Mountains, and much, much more. in comparative literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches Hebrew. He is originally from Bulgaria and a member of Sofia’s Jewish community. Joseph has over 10 years of experience leading travelers across Bulgaria, including UNESCO representatives, 92nd Street Y visitors, JDC board members, and Anti-Defamation League officials. He also lectures regularly on the history of Jewish life in Bulgaria and has published on the fate of Bulgaria’s Jews during the Holocaust. Joseph takes a keen interest in Bulgarian cuisine and winemaking, so be prepared for some fine wine-and-dining along the way. For details, contact Joseph at [email protected].

12/12/2024

Our Jewish tour of Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece just got better! Now that Bulgaria is part of the border-free Schengen zone, it will be smooth sailing as we travel from Greece to Bulgaria. Join us! Dates are 9-20 June 2025.

11/24/2024

Join our Bulgaria Food, Wine, and Culture Tour: 24 June-2 July 2025! Save $150 if you book by 31 December!
Details: https://sephardicbalkans.com/

11/24/2024

Join our Bulgaria food & wine tour: 24 June-2 July 2025! Save $150 if you book by 31 December!

10/04/2024

Join our food & wine tour of Bulgaria! June 24--July 2, 2025.
Details: sephardicbalkans.com

10/04/2024

Bulgaria Gourmet: The Food and Wine Tour
24 June-2 July, 2025
Details: https://sephardicbalkans.com/bulgaria-wine-tour/
Join us!

09/19/2024

Join one of our 2025 travel adventures!
Details: sephardicbalkans.com

09/18/2024

Join one of our 2025 travel adventures.
Details: https://sephardicbalkans.com/

09/03/2024

When in Veliko Turnovo -- Hotel Gurko.

06/30/2024

Visiting Dobarsko and Gorno Draglishte.

06/30/2024

Sweet and savory Dobarsko banitsa, prepared especially for our group.

06/29/2024

Evening Tai chi.

06/29/2024

Best Turkish sweets and coffee in the Balkans.

06/28/2024

06/27/2024

A fantastic wine tasting event in the Sakar region: Bratanov Winery, Villa Bassarea, Rosalea Wine, and Malkata Zvezda.

06/27/2024

Our Bulgarian Gourmet food & wine adventure is off to a great start. Delicious tasting menu prepared by chef Nikola Krumov.

06/10/2024

Treasures of Jewish Sofia.

06/05/2024

I just found in Corfu Christo's inspiration for his Mastaba installation in London.

05/29/2024

Jewish cemetery, Kotor, Montenegro

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Telephone

+12679701817

Website

http://sephardicbalkans.com/

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