Genesis Philanthropy Group is supporting the creation of a Jewish Heritage Travel Program for Russian-speaking Jewish young adults. The vision is similar to that of birthright Israel, minus the Israel component: to give young adults a free opportunity to travel to a city, country, or region that is connected to Jewish history, allowing peers to connect to each other and to the Jewish people through these first-hand educational and recreational immersion experiences.

In the pilot phase, this program is being made available to young adults (ages 22-28) of Russian-Jewish origin who are living in North America. Two communities have been chosen for the 2008 season: Chicago and Philadelphia. Candidates will be young professionals; single or couples without children; generally unaffiliated with the Jewish community but interested in engaging in an educational travel experience with peers. At this time, participation in the trip is by invitation only from local trip organizers. The program will include touring of Jewish historical sites and will use innovative educational tools to facilitate an exploration of participants’ Jewish identity.

Spain is one of the most diverse and visually stunning nations of Europe.  It is the home of Cervantes, El Greco, flamenco and castanets, the bullring and the conquistadors.  The enchanting cities of Castile and Andalusia are found here as well as the Alhambra of Granada and its surrounding gardens that recall the Arabian Nights.  The Moors and the Jews, the Christians and the Inquisition, Hemingway and the Civil War make up Spain’s fascinating history. 

For the Jewish traveler one visits Spain to explore its glorious religious past.  One-third of Iberia once contained Jewish blood.  Jewish history does not record a similar success story of the “Golden Age” where Jews lived as harmoniously or creatively as they did in Spain.  Today the synagogues have become churches, vanished are the Hebrew academies and libraries but evidence of a vibrant Jewish age can still be seen throughout the country.  Join JADE Expeditions as we explore the cultural wonders, spectacular scenery and rich Jewish history of Spain.

Spain Itinerary
 
Day 1-2:  Northern Spain – Madrid / Toledo

Madrid: Hemingway called Madrid “the most Spanish of all cities, the best place to live in, the finest people…”   Madrid symbolizes the New Spain – busy and active.  With a triad of truly great art museums that includes the Museo del Prado, and buildings like the Palacio Real that span the centuries, plus lively plazas, mighty boulevards and neighborhoods brimming with character, Madrid has plenty of sights to keep the eyes, ears and mind occupied. 

Toled Like Florence in Italy, the city is a preserved museum. A medieval city of narrow winding streets perched on a small hill above the Río Tajo. The city is crammed with fascinating museums, galleries, synagogues, churches and castles. Toledo is one of the few towns in Spain where remnants of Jewish edifices have been preserved.  We explore Toledo’s ancient synagogues and Jewish quarters.

Day 3-7: Southern Spain – Granada / Seville / Cordoba / Gibraltar:

Granada: During the period of Muslim domination of Spain, Granada was the finest city on the peninsula. Today it is still home to the greatest Muslim legacy in Europe, and one of the most inspiring attractions on the Continent – the Alhambra.  Rich in a prosperous Jewish past it was once called “Gharnata al-Yahud”, Granada of the Jews.” Here we explore the city including the Alhambra and Generalife.
  
Seville & Western Andalusia:  The Capital of Andalusia is a city of poetry, romance and art. All who visit are captivated by its exuberant atmosphere - stylish, confident, ancient, proud, intimate and fun-loving.  In keeping with the slow-burn nature of the city's charms, two great monuments - the Muslim Alcázar and the Christian cathedral. These, along with many other buildings and areas around Seville are part of the World Heritage Sites.  Explore the wonders of this city including its fascination Jewish history as we tour the Jewish Santa Cruz Quarter.

Cordoba: Cordoba is a Moorish city with narrow winding streets, gardens, olive and orange groves.  Famous for its libraries and bookshops, Cordoba was the high-water mark of Arab civilization in Europe.  The past and its rich cultural mix can be seen in the La Mezquita building.  The cities old Jewish quarter evokes memories of a brilliant Jewish intellectual center in the Golden Age of Spain.  Three ancient synagogues still stand, gaze at the statue of Maimonides in Tiberias Square, walk the narrow alleys of the famous Juderia, or explore the shops and cafes in the Plaza de Juda Levi. 

Gibraltar: Where else would you find a town that is also a country? Gibraltar is only 5.8 sq. km (2 1/4 sq. miles) in size, but it has its own airport, currency, postage stamps, naval and military garrisons, two cathedrals, four synagogues, its own newspapers, radio, and TV -- and a casino. "The Rock" enjoys a pleasant climate and has a recorded history dating from A.D. 711 and traces of cave occupation 40,000 years ago.
Jews have lived in Gibraltar at least since the 14th century. Historical records reveal that the community issued an appeal for help (1356) in ransoming a group of Jews taken captive by pirates. Another extant document indicates that a number of secret Jews, fleeing persecution in Andalusia, sought permission to settle on Gibraltar in 1473. Today, the Jewish community of Gibraltar numbers 650, which constitutes about 2% of the total population. Almost all are Sephardim, Jews of Spanish descent, who originally came from the settlers of Tetouan on the northern coast of Morocco. The sense of Jewish identity in the community remains strong to this day. Parents invest heavily in their children's Jewish education. There is a Talmud Torah, which educates children through eighth grade, and boys' high school and a girls' high school, as well as a small kolel (post-high school yeshiva). Shabbat, too, is observed in the city center, with all Jewish-owned shops closed to patrons. After Friday night services in one of the four synagogues, Main Street becomes a sort of promenade where friends and relatives can greet each other before heading off to a meal. A strong support for Israel also remains evident in the community.

Day 8: North Africa – Morocco / Tangiers

At the crossroads of Africa and Europe, the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Tangier is one of the oldest cities in Morocco. The Phoenicians and Carthaginians established trading posts here. The Romans made it a capital city. It was occupied by the Arabs and invaded by Vandals and Visigoths. Before the Spanish, the Portuguese controlled the town. In the early part of the 20th century, Tangier was an international city whose tax-free status and cosmopolitan image attracted European and American artists and writers. Jewish presence in the city dates back to the Carthaginian era immediately after the destruction of the First Temple.  A crossroads of many civilizations and cultures a day in Tangier is truly a unique experience.  Explore the old town with visit the kasbah (fortified area).  Descend through the labyrinthine roads of the medina through the spice markets, the Berber markets and amongst the craftsmen.  Visit the Grand Socco and the old & new synagogues, quietly nestled off the busy market square.