Exploring Jewish with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern August 3-14, 2015

SPAIN After the Muslim conquest and during the Christian Reconquest, lived in Spain from 713 through 1492--and later as conversos through the 17th century, for almost a millennium. This trip will explore fascinating episodes of Jewish interaction with Muslims and Christians that shaped Judaic hybrid cultural, religious, and artistic experiences. Combining brief lectures and interactive text studies, this tour will explore the Golden Age of in Spain, including poetry of ibn Gebirol, Dunash ben Labrat, and Yehuda Halevi; prose of Yehuda al-Harizi; rational philosophy of and psychological insights of Nahmanides. The participants will also discuss patterns of Jewish interaction with Muslim and Christian cultures, medieval violence, mass conversion of the Jews and the sub-culture of the conversos, the story behind juderias (Jewish quarters) and the expulsion of the Jews, ups and downs of the Inquisition-- and the legacy of the Spanish (Sefradic) Jewry. Conversations, lectures and discussions will be thematically linked to the specific localities and will provide a broader context and a deeper understanding of the the spirit of the sites.

YOHANAN PETROVSKY-SHTERN, SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE (or rather ON-THE-WHEELS) The Crown Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Northwestern University where he Land Only* teaches Early Modern and Modern Jewish Rates Per Person History. He is a prize-winning author of six books who lectured on Jewish Sephardic Double Single experience in Jerusalem, Moscow, Lviv, Occupancy Supplement Krakow, Boston, and Chicago. Currently he is $3998 $865 working on a documentary history of Jews in early modern world. *including flight from Seville to Barcelona

Susan Engoltz Gil Tours Travel, Inc 215-568-6655 x253 1511 Walnut St. 2nd floor 1-800-223-3855 x253 Philadelphia PA 19102 [email protected] www.giltravel.com

Exploring Jewish Spain with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern

August 3 – 14, 2015

MONDAY AUG 3 Welcome to Spain This afternoon a walking tour of Madrid will take the visitors though the city center and the Recoletos area. Beginning at Puerta del Sol, we will walk past the Monastery of Descalzas Reales, the San Fernando Fine Arts Academy, the Spanish Congress, Lope de Vega house, Echegaray Street, Santa Ana Square, Plaza Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá, Recoletos Boulevard, El Retiro Park. Welcome dinner.

Madrid O/N Madrid (B, D)

TUESDAY AUG 4 Madrid Museums and Palace Visit to Royal Palace and the Museo del Prado. See the impressive Royal Palace (Palacio Real) as well as two of Europe's grandest squares: Plaza Mayor, with arts, crafts and chic boutiques under its arcades, and the Spanish version of Times Square - Puerta del Sol. Continue on to one of the most famous art museums in the world: el Prado with its priceless collections of Spanish art by Velazquez, Goya, Zurbarán and El Greco. Palacio Real O/N Madrid (B) WEDNESDAY AUG 5 Toledo

Full day exploring Toledo. This day is devoted to Toledo, perched high on a hill by the Tagus River. With its naturally fortified location, Toledo was once the true center of Spain, and is widely considered a "pearl" for its subtle beauty. This city was also the center for Jewish Spain, with a rich, creative heritage. You will feel this atmosphere as you stroll through the narrow alleys of its historic section. See El Greco's house, formerly the palace of the prominent Samuel Halevy (the Jewish treasurer of King Pedro I, and architect of the El Tránsito synagogue). Continue to Santa Maria La Blanca synagogue, later converted to a church, El Transito Synagogue and to the El Transito synagogue, which today houses the Sephardic Photo by Selbymay / Commons Museum. Enjoy dinner tonight in our beautiful parador. O/N Toledo (B, D) THURSDAY AUG 6 Jewish communities in Andalusia and to Granada

Úbeda and Jaén. To Granada Heading southbound from Madrid, we will stop en route at Úbeda to see its

fascinating synagogue del Agua (Water). In 2007 a builder was about to demolish an old house to build up some apartments for sale. While looking at the old stones and rooms in the building he thought the entire structure looked special and very unique. The old building in Úbeda kept one of the better secrets of Spain….a hidden synagogue housing 7 wells with free flowing water and a ritual bath in the basement. Ironically the building next door to what now we know was a synagogue was the house of the head of the Inquisition of Úbeda for centuries. Jaén Aerial Photo by Juan Fernandez / flickr Later on, we will discover the Jewish Quarter in nearby Jaén. The importance of Jaén’s Judería (Jewish Quarter) is highlighted by the presence of Hasday ibn Shaprut, counsellor to the Caliphs of Cordova, promoter of Hispano- Hebrew poetry, and a 10th century forerunner of the so-called “Golden Age of Spanish Jews”. O/N Granada (B) FRIDAY AUG 7 Shabbat Shalom Cordoba Visit the Jewish Museum. PM: Alhambra & Generalife, Granada. Surrounding by mountains, Granada is easily one of the most spectacular cities in Spain and Europe. The Jewish Museum, which is called “The Palace of the Forgotten,” opened in 2013 and is housed inside the Santa Ines palace located in Albaicin — a neighborhood in the city’s old center where many Jews used to live before 1492, when they were forced to convert to Christianity or flee. The museum contains Judaica artifacts, archeological findings such as Cordoba Jewish Quarter Photo by Elliot Brown / flickr ceramic utensils, furniture, artworks and other valuables recovered from Jewish homes. The museum features the restoration of a mikvah ritual bath from before the 15th century, which is among the few well-preserved mikvehs from that period ever excavated in Spain. Next is La Alhambra: home to Arab Sultans and designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Granada’s massive Moorish castle was built over many centuries. It consists of gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces. Its splendor comes from the idea of recreating Heaven on Earth. The Alhambra complex is designed in the Mudejar style which is characteristic of Western elements reinterpreted into Islamic forms.

La Alhambra End the day in Cordoba. Photo by Javier Carro / Commons O/N Cordoba (B)

SATURDAY AUG 8 Walking the Juderia of Cordoba Visit Cordoba Considered the most populous city in the World during the 10th Century as well as the intellectual center of Europe, Córdoba was the former home of many Jewish scholars and poets. Córdoba thrived and expanded with its unique blend of cultures. These are beautifully expressed with a visit to Mosque (mezquita), the most significant Cordoba Mezquita Muslim architectural achievement in the Western world. This 8th century structure was first a church, then a mosque, and today has a cathedral oddly placed in its center. Walk the street leading up to the Juderia, with its whitewashed houses and colorful courtyards and shops. Though not Jewish in its current expression, a few signs hint of the Golden Age of Jewish life. Note, for example, the tiny, gem-like Synagogue, as well as the statue of the great court doctor and Torah sage, Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon). Interior of Mezquita Photos by Nicolas Vollmer / flickr O/N Córdoba (B) SUNDAY AUG 9 Seville and Flamenco

Transfer to Seville Visit Seville´s Alcázar & Cathedral. Walking tour of Seville and tour the imposing Cathedral, one of the largest in the world. Here, find the resting place of Spanish Kings and Queens, as well as the impressive sepulcher of Christopher Columbus. Continue past the Alcazar Palace, still used as a residence for the Spanish Royal Family, to the grand Plaza España, site of the pavilion of the great 1929 Seville Square exhibition. Last but not least, visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz - the former Jewish Quarter. We will also enjoy a traditional dinner and show of Flamenco dancing at its birthplace: Andalusia O/N Seville (B,D) MONDAY AUG 10 Barcelona This morning we will fly to Barcelona. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Barcelona including Mountjuic Mountain & the Olympic Port. Afternoon tapas tasting tour on Las Ramblas, one of the most popular and beloved streets in Spain. O/N Barcelona (B, L)

TUESDAY AUG 11 Jewish Barcelona and Gaudi Today tour through the centuries-old streets and alleys of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. You tour will include an introduction to this former Jewish area. Visit one of Spain's landmarks: the architectural masterwork of Antonio Gaudi, known as the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family). This cathedral is imaginatively (some say eccentrically) conceived as a looming, magnificent sand castle.

Park Güell was commissioned by Eusebi Güell who wanted to create a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy. The park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. Gaudi´s dragon fountain at the entrance to the park is iconic.

Gaudí was strongly influenced by natural shapes and used them in his work.

At the top of Güell park is a terraced area where you get a wonderful view of the park and of Barcelona City. Sagrada Familia Photo by Andrew E. Larsen / flickr O/N Barcelona (B) WEDNESDAY AUG 12 Girona and Besalu

Tour Girona Medieval town & Besalú old Mikveh.

Visit Girona, a charming example of Spain's quaint early-Medieval ambience, and a reminder of the time when Jewish traditions bloomed. Girona was once a link between the first Kabbalists of Provence and the poets and writers of Córdoba and Toledo, also major Kabbalah Centers. Jewish settlers came to Girona at the end of the 9th century, growing and prospering until the Spanish Inquisition forced them into exile in 1492 - a span of 500 years. Enjoy a visit to the Jewish Museum, and stroll through the "Call" (Jewish Quarter), which still evokes this precious , an important part of the Golden Age of Spain, together with the Great synagogue (Sinagoga Major), one of the oldest in Europe, which has recently been restored. Afterwards we will stop at Besalú town to admire its spectacular 11th century fortified stone-bridge and the best and oldest preserved Mikveh in the Iberic Peninsula. Besalú old Mikveh Photo by Arie Darzi / Commons Tonight enjoy a Farewell dinner together.

O/N Barcelona (B, D) THURSDAY AUG 13 At leisure in Barcelona

Day at Leisure in Barcelona O/N Barcelona (B) FRIDAY AUG 14 Departure day

Departure to US or extension to Bilbao

Meals included as indicated: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner ***Note: All Itineraries are subject to change

Hotel List 4-star hotels ****, subject to availability

Innside Suecia, Madrid Marqués de Casa Riera, 4, 28014 Madrid Spain Tel: (34) 912 000 570 http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spai n/madrid/innside-madrid- suecia/index.html Parador, Toledo Cerro Del Emperador, s/n, 45002 Toledo Spain Tel: (34) 925 221 850 http://www.parador.es/en/paradores/ parador-de-toledo

NH Victoria, Granada Puerta Real, 3, 18005 Granada Spain Tel: (34) 958 536 216 http://www.nh-hotels.com/hotel/nh- collection-granada-victoria Las Casas de la Judería, Córdoba Calle Tomás Conde, 10 14004 Córdoba Spain Tel: (34) 957 202 095 http://www.lascasasdelajuderiadecor doba.com/

Zenit Sevilla, Seville Pagés del Corro, 90, 41010 Seville Spain Tel: (34) 954 347 434 http://sevilla.zenithoteles.com/

Avenida Palace, Barcelona Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, 605, 08007 Barcelona Spain Tel: (34) 933 019 600 http://www.avenidapalace.com/en/

Exploring Jewish Spain with Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern – August 3-15, 2015 PLEASE PRINT IN BLOCK LETTERS.

ENTER EACH NAME AS THEY APPEAR IN PASSPORT # IN PARTY ______

______

NAME(S) (As it appears on passport) AND MANDATORY INFORMATION REQUIRED BY AIRLINES

PASSENGER 1 Check one:  Mr.  Mrs.  Ms.  Dr.  Rabbi  Pastor/Rev. FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME LAST NAME

PASSPORT #* EXP DATE PLACE ISSUED NATIONALITY DATE OF BIRTH BIRTHPLACE

PASSENGER 2 Check one:  Mr.  Mrs.  Ms.  Dr.  Rabbi FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME LAST NAME

PASSPORT #* Exp DATE PLACE ISSUED NATIONALITY DATE OF BIRTH BIRTHPLACE

*Please note: For travel to Israel it is required that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after date of return

______MAILING ADDRESS (No P.O. Boxes - Please include your zip code)

______

HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE FAX PHONE

CELL PHONE ______EMAIL ADDRESS______

SPECIAL REQUESTS CAN BE REQUESTED BUT NOT GUARANTEED (MEALS, SEATS, ETC.)

______

ARE YOU OR ANY OF THE ACCOMPANYING PERSONS MEMBERS OF A FREQUENT FLYER CLUB THAT HONORS THE AIRLINE YOU ARE FLYING ON?

PARTICIPANT NAME AIRLINE MEMBER NUMBER

______

______

ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND [ ] CHECK - DEPOSIT OF $______$1000.00 per person

[ ] CHECK - FULL PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $______

[ ] PLEASE CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD [ ] VISA [ ] MASTERCARD [ ] AMEX

CARD #: ______EXP. DATE: ______CBC # ______

SIGNATURE: ______NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD: ______

I authorize GIL TRAVEL to charge the above credit card in the amount of $ ______for the transportation and/or related charges for the above named tour. I understand that the amount charged to my credit card account will be reflected on my credit card statement within three days of authorization.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO GIL TOURS TRAVEL. SEND CHECK, RESERVATION FORM AND A COPY OF EACH PARTICIPANT PASSPORT TO: GIL TRAVEL, 1511 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA PA 19102

I have read and accept the terms and conditions on the reverse side of this form.

SIGNATURE: ______DATE: ______

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PAYMENTS: All reservations forms must be accompanied by a deposit of  March 25 –June 3- forfeit 25% of tour price per person $1000 per person. Full payment is due by June 1, 2015. Checks for the  June 3, 2015 to departure – no refund entire package should be made payable to Gil Tours Travel. Gil Travel accepts Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Discover. Travel insurance is very highly recommended.

LAND ARRANGEMENTS: Sightseeing is included as per itinerary RESPONSIBILITY: Gil Travel is acting solely as an intermediary agent for provided. Package is based on double occupancy sharing a twin-bedded the travel suppliers providing means of transportation, hotel and/or all other room with private facilities including all taxes and service charges. Double related travel services being purchased (the “Third Party Providers”). Gil rooms must be booked for two (2) persons. Gil Travel does not arrange Travel therefore, shall not be liable or responsible for any injury, illness, loss sharing. Single rooms are available at an additional cost. Gil Travel or damage to any person or property or additional expense involved with reserved the right to substitute hotels according to availability with travel resulting from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, quarantine, adjustment where necessary. strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, diseases, mechanical difficulties, failure of any means of transportation to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil AIR ARRANGEMENTS: Packages are based on departure from specified disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and gateway cities. Fares from other cities are available on request. Airfares discrepancies or changes in transportation or hotel services or any other are based on lowest available fares subject to change and fare restrictions. matter or event over which Gil Travel has no control; or (ii) for any state of Deviations from the itinerary specified may result in a higher air fare. quality, hygiene, political. Stability, cuisine, sanitation facilities, cleanliness, telecommunications facilities, methods of conducting business, emergency TRANSFERS: Transfers are seat-in-coach basis unless otherwise medical evacuation, treatment or medical services existing at any travel specified. destination. By embarking upon his/her travel, the passenger voluntarily assumes all risks involved with such travel, whether expected or NOT INCLUDED: Meals not specified in itinerary, all gratuities, airport unexpected. The issuance and acceptance of any exchange orders or taxes, optional tours, charges for passports, visas, vaccinations and tickets shall constitute consent by the purchaser and/or passenger to the inoculations, laundry, liquor, excess baggage charges, accident and foregoing conditions. All exchange orders and tickets are also subject to baggage insurance, telephone or cable charges, private non-group transfer, such additional terms and conditions as the Third Party Providers may items of a personal nature, and any items not specifically listed as included. impose. Finally, Gil Travel shall not be liable for any funds received from the purchaser and/or passenger and paid over to any third Party Provider INSURANCE: Insurance is not included in any tour package. Insurance for which subsequently becomes insolvent or files any bankruptcy or similar proceedings or fails to deliver services. baggage, trip cancellation or medical emergency is available. INSURANCE SPECIAL NOTE: Delays, cancellations and overbooking by participating IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED AND CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE Third Party Providers may occur on air flights, cruises and land AT WWW.GILTRAVEL.COM/INSURANCE.HTML reservations. While Gil Travel will do its utmost to avoid these

inconveniences, it shall not be liable or responsible for the acts or VISA & HEALTH: A valid passport is required for all participants. There is omissions of such Third Party Providers. no Visa requirement for citizens of the USA for travel to Israel. Other Gil Travel reserves the right (i) to cancel any tour, substitute hotels and nationals should contact the appropriate consulate for regulations. Please make such alterations in tour itineraries as may be necessary or desirable call a Gil Travel Consultant for Visa requirements for other destinations. Gil for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour(s); Travel will not process visa applications. No inoculations are required at and (ii) to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour. press time for travel to Israel, but please check with local public health All additional cost, if necessary, shall be the passenger’s responsibility. In authorities for up to date information. addition, Gil Travel may cancel any tour prior to departure. In such a case, a full refund of all payments will constitute full settlement with the BAGGAGE: Baggage is limited to 1 piece of luggage per person on the passenger and/or purchaser of the tour. tour, the total dimensions not to exceed 106 inches, and piece may not be All disputes arising under, in connection with, or incident to this agreement larger than 62 inches or exceed 50 lb. One piece of carry-on luggage is shall be litigated, if at all, in and before a court located in the City of allowed, the total combined dimensions not to exceed 45 inches. All Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and in the courts of no other city, state or excess baggage charges will be collected at the airport. Baggage is at country. “own risk” throughout the tour. Gil Travel is not responsible for lost or Retention of tickets, reservations or bookings by the purchaser and/or damaged baggage. Baggage insurance is recommended. passenger after issuance shall constitute consent to the above terms, as well as an agreement on his/her part to convey the contents hereto to CANCELLATION POLICY: his/her travel companions or group members.  Cancellations must be received in writing.  Cancellations received up to March 25, 2015– forfeit $10% of tour price per person

1511 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 Tel- 215.568.6655 Fax- 215.568.0696 CALL TOLL FREE: 800-223-3855 ext 238