JEWISH ETHIOPIA

With Jewish Renaissance
8th to 19th November 2015

Ethiopia is a country with a long Jewish history. From the kingdom of the Queen of Sheba, to the Jews who left in Operation Solomon; the Beta Israel have been sovereigns and slaves; rulers over large areas of land, and suffered exile because of their faith.

We will meet the Jews who remain and spend Shabbat with them. We will view the astonishing architecture of Amhara and Tigray – where Christianity is suffused with Jewish practice – and visit lost kingdoms that to this day are barely known to the West.

Saturday 8th November
Evening flight from Heathrow to Addis Abbaba, arriving around 7.00a.m Sunday 9th November

Sunday 9th – Monday 10th November
Two nights in Addis Ababa visiting the National Museum, St Georges Cathedral, the Beta Yisrael Synagogue and the largest market in Africa.

Tuesday 11th November
Overnight in Axum. See the astonishing stelae of the Axumite kingdom, visit the tombs, the Queen of Sheba's palace and St. Mary's Church - home to the lost Ark of the Covenant.

Wednesday 12th , Thursday 13th November
Two nights in Lailbela. Built as the 'New Jerusalem' it boasts a Mount Horeb, a River Jordan and the tombs of the patriarchs amongst stunning hand carved rock Churches. Without doubt one of the wonders of the world.

Friday 14th , Saturday 15th November
Two nights in Gondar, the African Camelot. The 17th century castles were built by Jewish and Muslim artisans, who were not allowed to live in the town. Here we will spend Shabbat with the Beta Israel Jewish community in their large synagogue, and eat in the only 'kosher' hotel in Ethiopia.

Sunday 16th , Monday 17th November
Two nights in Bahar Dar on the shores of Lake Tana. Visit the source of the Blue Nile, the Tissisat Falls and the island monasteries. An ancient Jewish Temple is found in the grounds of one monastery.

Tuesday 18th November
Return to Addis for overnight flight back to London arriving Morning of the 19th November.

Who is the trip for?

· Anyone with an interest in Judaism and the fate of the Jewish people
· Anyone who enjoys travel to distant places
Cost of the tour
Sum of £2875 - inclusive of flights and ATOL protection - Single supplement £395

TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST please email marcel@jewishheritagetours.co.uk This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
As this is a Jewish Renaissance trip anyone going must be subscribers of Jewish Renaissance with yearly subscription at £24.