JEWISH PORTUGAL Image result for Belmonte Synagogue

From Porto to Lisbon & THE MIRACLE OF JEWISH SURVIVAL in BELMONTE from 29th MAY to 1st JUNE 2016
JOIN BELMONT SHUL 4 day trip [3 nights] with RABBI ELCHONON & REBETZIN JACQUELINE FELDMAN

This Tour through Sephardic Portugal begins in Porto and concludes in the capital Lisbon and with 2 nights in Belmonte where you will experience the MIRACLE OF JEWISH SURVIVAL with the local community decendants from the golden age some 600 years ago. Experience this beautiful diverse country with its spectacular Atlantic coastline, rolling wheat fields, silver olive trees, vineyards as far as the eye can see, stony outcrops crowned by ancient castles, and white-washed villages, that once sheltered Jewish communities. The Jewish presence in Iberia has existed long before Portugal itself became a country. The contribution of Portuguese Jews to the arts, philosophy, commerce and sciences helped create the rich cultural heritage of this nation. Our unique tour focuses on places of Jewish interest, as well as the fascinating people who continue to contribute to Portuguese society. These descendants of the Inquisition, often referred to as Marranos, are now known as the B’nai Anusim (Children of Oppression). Forced to convert during those awful days, many secretly, and over the centuries, retained their precious Jewish practices, as well as pride in their true heritage. Combine all this with an entire population that is discovering its Jewish roots, and renewing Jewish life in this beautiful land. Then add warm hospitality, fine kosher wine and a kosher BBQ as well as strictly kosher trip in an esquisite location – and you'll discover a Portugal you never knew existed.

With acclaimed guide and Historian International lecturer & Educator Paulo Scheffer sharing his Jewish roots and passion for Portuguese history and culture and the astonishing story of the crypto Jews of Portugal and the miracle of Jewish survival in BELMONTE watch short 5 minute film.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CpidcjO5uU where Jews have survived since the middle ages and now prosper with a Rabbi a shul, a kehila 2nd in size to Lisbon with the best Jewish museum in Portugal. This is a living story you will get to participate in a MIRACLE OF JEWISH SURVIVAL back to the middle ages.

Book:-

RyanAir flight from Stansted to Porto 29th May 9.25 am lands Porto 11. 45 am Return 1st June TAP Air from Lisbon 20.15 land Heathrow at 22.55 – Only book flights once trip confirmed with 15 bookings

Itinerary :-

Sunday 29th May and Wednesday 1st June 2015 - A 4 day & 3 night trip from Porto Sunday May 29th 2015 - BOOK flights as above :

Bring Sandwiches with you as we will not be having dinner till approx 7pm drinks and fruit will be provided
After arrival at Porto we meet our guide and board our coach that takes us to OPORTO for city tour of the, old Medieval Jewish quarter together with kosher Port tasting at TAYLORS with a walk by the magnificent riverside of Porto and We will also experience a typical PORTO boat for an under the bridges cruise river cruise under famous Eiffel bridge and other bridges along river. We then visit the Mekor Haim Synagogue and small Jewish museum outside the historic part of Porto city.

We then go to HOTEL DA MUSICA for our kosher meal before we leave Porto. Extra nights for those wanting to arrive ahead of the group trip on request.

We urge everyone to read THE LAST CABALIST OF LISBON ahead of this trip a fine novel dealing with the Jewish fate during the inquisition period of 1506 the author Richard Zimler teaches at Porto University and we will ask him to address us at the Porto Synagogue

Leave Porto approx 8.30pm for a 3 hour drive to our exquisite Pousada Hotel on the hillside above Belmonte, for a late drink by the pool terrace

Monday 8am 30th May – 8.00am Coach takes us to BELMONTE Synagogue Beit Eliyahu for Morning Shaharith prayers followed by breakfast at Synagogue - We meet the local Rabbi and community who will also be invited and are descendants of Marannos Converso Jews who still live in Belmonte who will be joining us. This town has a kosher shop, Jewish museum and Synagogue with regular minyanim.
10.00 Visit its Juderia quarter and Jewish Museum, kosher shop and medieval castle before going back on coach 12.30am back to hotel FREE time to relax by pool or do a walk to the top of the hill with views of surrounding hills and valley. 1.30 pm Lunch on outside terrace buffet

3.00pm Coach leaves to visit Trancosa and hear about further converses and further evidence of the miracle of Jewish survival since inquisition times and view the modern Synagogue built in their memory recently. Our Guide & Historian PAOLO SCHEFFER of Lisbon Explorer explains the violent end and unlikely Renaissance of Portuguese Jewry.

5.00 pm Leave Trancosa in order to head back to Belmonte Pousada in time for free time to use pool again and evening BBQ with the local community and Rabbi till late

Tuesday 31st May 9.30 am On coach to drive south towards Lisbon first stop visit the vineyard of Carlos Neves Enólogo / Winemaker Adega Cooperativa da Covilhã producer of Terraces of Belmonte Kosher wine. We drive to Tomar, one of the oldest and most charming towns in Portugal and visit the stand out best preserved and oldest medieval 15th Century Synagogue in Portugal today, now the Museum Luso-Hebraico Abraão Zacuto located on what was once Rua da Judiaria of Tomar. Sandwiches will be provided for the day. We aim to get to Lisbon in time for coach tour of city to discover the variety of heritage and styles making this one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals before heading for the community centre attached to the Shaare Tikva Synagogue for our evening meal.

Wednesday 1st June From 9.30. We visit the Alfama Quarter, nestled between the grand Castle and the river Tagus, one of the city’s oldest areas and where a large Jewish Community lived in the Rua da Judiaria. Stopping for sandwich lunch in biggest square in Lisbon. After lunch start a Lisbon walking tour to centre of city and the Chiado district that forms the central Lisbon district to discover what became of the once biggest Jewish city in the world.

COST :-
Sharing a double or twin room for 3 nights is £695 per person excludes flights. Single supplement is £195 and covers all costs in Portugal all supervised kosher meals transport, museum fees and guide costs.

Excludes air fares, insurance and individual spending

Additional nights upon request at the ALTIS Hotel in Lisbon near Shul [also a kosher B & B inc meals] as well as a 2 night option for Shabbat in Porto at Hotel Da Musica before organised trip, further details upon request

We are limited to 21 rooms SO TO RESERVE A PLACE £150 deposit per person with completed West End Travel booking form obtainable from Marcel on 0208 9545074 or be e-mailing marcel@jewishheritagetours.co.uk who will send you the necessary form for completion

Do not book your flights till trip is confirmed which will be once 15 booking forms are received