Jewish Heritage Tour of Bucharest for cruise passengers from Constanta port
Detailed tour description:
Bucharest is home to one of the oldest and most important Jewish communities in Romania.
History
Sephardic Jews arrived here in the 16th century. Around the beginning of the 17th century, during the Cossack uprising, the first Ashkenazi Jews came from Ukraine and Poland. A sacred brotherhood, a charity box and a prayer house were registered in 1715. Some of the synagogues built during the 18th and 19th century also featured ritual baths (mikve). By 1832, 10 holy houses had been established. Their number would increase significantly before the end of the century, almost every one having its own Rabbi. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Jewish population in Bucharest numbered 40,000 people with 70 temples and synagogues.
From this great number, only a few survived the brutality of history – fascism and communism – and two still serve the city’s present Jewish community.
The Synagogue stands the only other functioning synagogue in the city apart from the Choral Temple. Services take place at Sabbath hour on Friday and Saturday evenings.
History Museum of Romanian Jews housed in the magnificently preserved Great Synagogue (1850) in the city’s historically Jewish neighborhood, this museum traces the history of Romania’s Jewish population. The displays include a collection of books written, published, illustrated or translated by Romanian Jews; a small collection of paintings of and by Romanian Jews (many of the same artists’ works is displayed in the National Museum of Art) and memorabilia from Jewish theatres including the State Jewish Theatre.
The museum also contains a large collection of Jewish ritual objects from Romania, collected by Rabbi Moses Rosen (1912–1994), the late Chief Rabbi of the Romanian Jewry.
Coral Temple – Built in 1857, the red brick temple (noted for its magnificent Moorish turrets, choir loft and organ) is the largest active synagogue in Bucharest.
Approximate timing from Constanta port (subject to traffic)
08:00 – Departure form Oltenita/Giurgiu
10:00 – Entering Bucharest passing by the Jewish cemetery
10:30 – visit of the synagogue (Str. Adamache, 11) (30 minutes)
11:15 – visit of the History Museum of Romanian Jews (Str. Mamulari, 3)
(40 minutes) 12:00 – visit of the Choral Temple (Str. Sf. Vineri, 9-11) (30 minutes)
13:15 – Lunch
14:30 – tour of the center of Bucharest: Bdv. Corneliu Coposu – Bdv. I.C.Bratianu – Universitate Bucharest – Bdv. Nicolae Balcescu – Bdv. Magheru – Piata Romana – Bdv. Lascar Catargiu – Piata Victoriei – Calea Victoriei – Bdv. Regina Elisabeta – Bdv. M. Kogalniceanu – Romanian Opera House – Cotroceni Palas – Military Academy – Bdv. Eroilor – Bdv. Elefterie – Splaiul Independentei – Str. B.P. Hasdeu – Bdv. Natiunile Unite – Bdv. Libertatii –
Stop for photo in front of the Parliament Building.
On the way back to the ship.
17:00 – back to the ship
Venue: History Museum of Romanian Jews Opening hours: Monday. – Wednesday & Friday – Sunday 9:00am – 1:00pm , Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Closing days: N/A
Venue: Yeshoah Tova Synagogue Opening hours: from 08.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs Closing days: N/A
Venue: Coral Temple Opening hours: from 08.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs Closing days: N/A
Restroom Information: inside the History Museum of Romanian Jews and restaurant for lunch
Walking Information: even ground
This is a suggested itinerary, other sightseeing is available, also Bucharest stay. Customized for each client. Please inquire.