Jewish Heritage Tour of Ukraine
6-day Jewish Heritage Tour for Two
Something Special for those who are interested in Jewish culture and history,
spiritual & religious life of the Jewish community of Ukraine.
Before World War II the Jewish Community in Ukraine counted over two millions and was widely involved in charity activities, educational system development, publishing. Kiev, Odessa and Lviv were the largest Jewish centres in Ukraine by the end of 19th century.
In terms of the number of holy sites worshipped by the representatives of Hasidic movement Ukraine is only second to Israel. Every year at the end of September – beginning of October thousands of Hasidic pilgrims from all over the world come to Uman to celebrate Jewish New Year. And almost at the same time – at the end of September there is a Memorial Day in Kiev for the victims of Babiy Yar where 35 thousand members of Kiev Jewish community were executed by Nazis in 1941.
Within 6 days you’ll visit dozens of the most known Synagogues, Jewish communities, Jewish cultural societies, Jewish educational establishments, theatres, restaurants & cafes offering traditional Jewish cuisine. You’ll be able to explore the Holy places associated with the founders and reformers of the Hasidic faith in Uman and Berdichev. For those wishing to visit the burial sites of friends or relatives, side-trips to Jewish cemeteries in various Ukrainian towns can be arranged.
Please, browse a sample itinerary below and Complete your Jewish Tour Request now!
Day 1
Meeting at Boryspil Airport and a car transfer to Kiev downtown. Checking in.
3h Panoramic City Tour that includes the visit to Babiy Yar, monuments created to commemorate those thousands of Jewish & Ukrainian people who perished during the Nazi occupation of Kiev that lasted for 777 days.
Day 1-3
Kiev downtown accommodation
Private Kiev apartment
(click and see examples)
OR
3 or 4-star Kiev Hotels from the list
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Day long excursion Jewish Heritage of Kiev. This tour will take you to the central Synagogue named after Brodskiy, Old Podil with Synagogue, memorial to Golda Meir, former Prime Minister of Israel, & Sholom Aleichem monument. After lunch at a local restaurant continue to Kurenivskoye cemetery & Berkovtsy. In the afternoon you may also have a meeting with the ravine of the central Synagogue.
Day 3
Kiev – Zhytomyr – Berdychiv – Uman Transfer/Tour Breakfast at the hotel followed by coach transfer to Zhytomyr. Visiting Old Jewish quarter, graves of Reb Wolf, Reb Aaron the Great Maggid, Bogunskiy Forest Memorial which is the site of mass graves & Synagogue. After lunch, proceed to Berdychiv (once known as the Jerusalem of Volhynia province), where you will have a chance to visit Old Jewish quarter, Synagogue & Jewish cemetery with Tsadik Levy-Yitshok grave. Getting to Uman by late evening and check in at Shaarei Zion hotel.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel followed by 3h tour around Uman – walking the streets of former Jewish quarter, taking a look at the former main Bratslaver synagogue, visiting the burial place of Rebe Nachman of Bratslav & Gadyach, the tomb of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the Alter Rebe – the founder of the Lubavitch Chassidic movement. Lunch at the local restaurant and Uman-Odessa 4h Transfer. Check in & dinner at the local restaurant.
The city of Odessa has been a centre of Jewish culture for more than two hundred years of its existence. The Jewish community of Odessa was the metropolis for Jewish communities of USA (particularly New York), Germany, Australia, and other countries. Many prominent Israelis also came from this city.
Day 4-6
Accommodation in Odesa downtown
Private Odesa apartment
OR
3 or 4-star Odesa Hotel from the list
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel followed by 5h Jewish Odesa tour. Tour combines general places of interest like Prymorsky boulevard, Potemkin Steps, statue of the Duc de Richelieu, Opera & Ballet Theater & Jewish heritage sites among which are Synagogue, Stolyarsky Music School, Jewish school & Jewish Community Centre . With our professional guide you’ll find out about the history of the Odessa Jewish community and get acquainted with their culture.
Day 6
Breakfast at the hotel.
Optional tours to Kalinindorf, Stalindorf or Zlatopol followed by departure transfer to Odesa Airport.
