THE JEWS OF PORTUGAL
Between Persecution and Martyrdom
September 9-19, 2024
led by Prof. Shalom Sabar and Dr. Kathy Aron-Beller
The tragic story of Portuguese Jewry from the earliest times to the forcible conversion of 1497 and beyond is the theme of this study tour on the Jews of Portugal. The itinerary includes the main localities and remains of Jewish interest which enable us to reconstruct Jewish life in medieval Portugal and crypto-Jewish life for five centuries. Daily lectures survey various aspects of Jewish history in Portugal including the origins of Portuguese Jewry, communal and social life, the Jews in the service of the crown, cultural and religious life, science and literature, Hebrew books from Portugal, the arrival of Castilian Jews after 1492, Spanish and Portuguese Jewry between expulsion and conversion, exodus and flight, the Portuguese Inquisition and auto-da-fe, crypto-Jews from 1497 until today, and the Portuguese Diaspora in the east and west. Jewish art, Hebrew printing and ketubbot in Portugal, art and culture in the Portuguese Diaspora are studied and viewed. The seminar examines the fascinating chapters in Jewish history, the life of a community that reflects heroism, loyalty, martyrdom and suffering.
Mon Sep 9 Arrival in Lisbon. LISBON
Tue, Sep 10 Orientation and Lecture: The Defining Characteristics of Portuguese Jewry, K. Aron-Beller Travel to Marvão, a small medieval village. Packed kosher lunch. Continue to Castelo de Vide where we visit the synagogue located in the old Jewish Quarter. Continue to Covilhã. COVILHÃ
Wed Sep 11 Visit the Jewish Quarter of Covilhã. Packed vegetarian lunch.
Travel to Trancoso to visit the Yizhak Cardozo Jewish Center and the recently inaugurated synagogue. Continue to Vilar Formoso to see the museum, Vilar Formoso Frontier of
Peace and Memorial of the Refugees and the Consul Aristides de Sousa Mendes. COVILHÃ
Thu Sep 12 Lecture: The Judearia: Jewish Life in Medieval Portugal, K.Aron-Beller
Lecture: Jewish Art in the Iberian Peninsula: From Roman Times to Islamic and Christian Influences, S. Sabar
Travel to Belmonte where a crypto-Jewish community that has survived until modern
times returned to Judaism. Visit the modern synagogue and the Museu Judaico de
Belmonte with one of the best collections of its kind in Portugal. Packed lunches.
Travel to Gouveia to visit Da Casa Vivencia Judaica de Gouveia.
Continue to Oporto. OPORTO
Fri Sep 13 Lecture: Spanish Refugees in Portugal and Portuguese Jews in the Royal Court, K.Aron-Beller Lecture: From Spain to Portugal: Hebrew Printing in the Iberian Peninsula, S.Sabar
Visit the synagogue of Oporto where Barros Basto founded his Yeshiva for crypto-Jews
who wanted to return to Judaism. Continue to visit what was once a medieval synagogue. Shabbat Services in the synagogue followed by a Shabbat dinner. OPORTO
Sat Sep 14 Shabbat Services followed by a Shabbat lunch.
Lecture: The Forcible Conversion of Spanish and Portuguese Jews, K.Aron-Beller OPORTO
Sun Sep 15 Travel to Coimbra. Visit the old university town on the Mondego River which includes the square of Praco de Comercio, the Convento de Santa Cruz, the University, and the
location of the medieval Jewish quarter and the site of the old synagogue.
Visit the splendid Biblioteca Ioanina. Packed kosher lunch.
Continue to Tomar to view the old Jewish Quarter and the old synagogue which is now
a small museum. Tour the Templar castle Convento de Cristo with special attention paid
to the cloisters. TOMAR
Mon Sep 16 Lecture: Hebrew Manuscript Illumination in 15th Century Portugal, S. Sabar
Travel to Evora, a beautiful town under the protection of UNESCO, where we see the
Jewish quarter as well as the first century temple, the Manuelistic Loios Monastery now
a Pousada, the Jesuit University and the cathedral.
Continue to the Mouraria, the old Muslim Quarter. Continue to Lisbon. LISBON
Tue Sep 17 Lecture: Crypto-Jews on Trial: The Portuguese Inquisition, K.Aron-Beller
Lecture Art and Culture of the Portuguese Community of Amsterdam: Between Judaism and Christianity, S. Sabar
Tour the Alfama district where we visit the old Jewish Quarter.
Visit Belem to view the Belem Tower and visit Jerónimos Church. Visit the synagogue. Continue to the National Azulejo Musuem (Tile Museum). LISBON
Wed Sep 18 Lecture: Crypto- Jewish Life in Portugal and the Portuguese Diaspora, K.Aron-Beller
Lecture: Circa 1492: The Last Phase of Jewish Art in the Iberian Peninsula and Its Aftermath, S. Sabar
Travel to Sintra to visit the Jewish Quarter, the Town Palace.
Continue to the National Library with an exhibit arranged for us to view manuscripts on Portuguese Jewry. Vegetarian farewell dinner. LISBON
Thu Sep 19 Transfer to the airport for departure.
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Lecturers: Prof. Shalom Sabar (Emeritus), Dept. of Art History/Dept of Folklore and Folk Culture,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Dr. Kathy Aron-Beller, Lecturer in Jewish History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University
Price for land arrangements only: Euro 3840 per person in a double room
***EARLY REGISTRATION BY March 26, 2024 : Euro 3790 per person in a double room***
Single supplement: Euro 925
Price is based on minimum participants
Price for airfare from Israel: USD 695
(Based on airfares in effect at time of publication and subject to change)
People joining us from abroad should meet us at the Lisbon airport or in the hotel in Lisbon
Deposit: Euro 900 with registration, of which Euro 500 is non-refundable.
Remainder of payment is to be paid by June 1, 2024 Please register promptly as our trips fill quickly.
HOTEL EUROSTARS DAS LETRAS, Lisbon
R. Castilho 6 12
Tel: +351.213573094
5 stars, A/C, minibar, safe, wifi, hairdryer, fitness center
HOTEL TRYP COVILHÃ DONA MARIA, Covilhã
Alameda Pêro da Covilha www.melia.com
Tel: +351.275310000 Fax: +351.275310009
4 stars, A/C, heating, minibar, wifi, safe, hairdryer
HOTEL CROWN PLAZA, Porto
Avenida da Boavista www.ihg.com
Tel: +351.226072500 Fax: +351.226003214
5 stars, A/C, minibar, safe, wifi, hairdryer, fitness/spa
HOTEL DOS TEMPLARIOS, Tomar
Largo Cȃndido dos Reis 1 www.hoteldostemplarios.com
Tel: +351.249.310100
4 stars, A/C, wifi, minibar, hairdryer, health club, indoor pool
HOTELS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Cancellation fees:
May 1-31, 2024……..…..… .. ……............20%
June 1-30, 2024………... ……..........…....40%
July 1-Aug 8, 2024…………..……......…..60%
Aug 9 - Departure.……..………...........…100%
Trip includes:
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Lectures by Prof. Shalom Sabar and
Dr. Kathy Aron-Beller
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JHS tour escort
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Local English speaking tour guide
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10 nights accommodation in 4 + 5 star hotels
with daily buffet breakfasts.
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Meals according to the itinerary
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Local transport by bus
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Entrance fees according to itinerary
Not included in the price:
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Obligatory health and cancellation
travel insurance
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Tips (Euro 95)
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Visa fees (if needed)
Program subject to change: All rights are reserved by Jewish Historical Seminars to make
staff substitutions if necessary and/or make changes to the program and conditions as
required by force majeure, including cancellation of the trip at any time due to drastic
changes in the situation. Participants are reminded that weather conditions cannot be
predicted and cancellations or changes to visits may be unavoidable.
Further information: Contact Debbie Zuberi: Tel: 972-54.2212503, Fax: 972-2-5700005
Email: JHSeminars@gmail.com. www.JewishHistoricalSeminars.com
The trip is run in conjunction with Ayala Tours, Jerusalem