Jewish South America 2007

Mon 17 Dec to Sun 30 Dec. 233 Park Avenue South, New York, 10003. Mike Enav, Tour Director, 212-879-4588, info@ajcongresstravel.com. 5695 Land Only. American Jewish Congress International Travel Program - [events]

Just to our south, a whole continent awaits discovery. It’s full of grand cities, extraordinary scenery and a pulse of life that will have your toes tapping and hips gyrating from the moment you arrive. It’s also home to hundreds of thousands of Jews, most of whose ancestors arrived from Eastern Europe at the same time yours reached America. We begin in Argentina and its gorgeous capital Buenos Aires, often called “Paris of South America”…You’ll meet Jewish Argentineans and you’ll journey out into the Pampas where Jewish pioneers created a “Promised Land” in the late 19th century. Next – amazing Iguassu Falls – then journey to northern Brazil, where Jews have lived for almost as long as Europeans have lived in the Western Hemisphere.

HIGHLIGHTS:
22 meals including Buffet Breakfast daily, 4 lunches & 7 dinners with wine + gratuities – including Shabbat & Farewell dinners – Gratuities to local guides & drivers –
Briefings on Brazilian and Argentinean Jewry – Cable car to top of Sugar Loaf Mountain – Attend a Samba Show – Visit Eva Peron’s resting place – See magnificient Iguassu Falls – Folklore show in Salvador – Visit Entre Rios’ Kibbutz-style community. - Local flights within South America.

ITINIERARY:

MONDAY, DAY 1- EN ROUTE
Evening departure from Miami or New York to Argentina.

TUESDAY, DAY 2- BUENOS AIRES
Morning arrival in Buenos Aires, built in the 19th century, era of plenty for the wealthy Gaucho (cowboy) land barons of Argentina, this city rivals the architecture and sophis-tication of Paris. Late afternoon orientation tour visits the Libertador Synagogue and Museum. Tonight, a very special Welcome Dinner celebrates your arrival. D

WEDNESDAY, DAY 3- BUENOS AIRES-VILLAGUAY
Today’s touring takes us deep into the Argentine countryside to the province of Entre Rios, one of the country’s first Jewish settlements. Arrive in Basavilbaso, established in 1887 to visit the very simple Novibuco Synagogue, built in 1895, the Beit Abraham Synagogue, established in 1917 and Tefila Le Moises synagogue – a monumental building with an eclectic style, bright colors and exquisite décor and visit the ancient Jewish Cemetery. Lunch, then continue to Villaguay, which was, and continues to be the cultural, sporting and social center of the province. Among its 54,000 residents, there remain 50 Jewish families. Tonight, Dinner together. BLD

THURSDAY, DAY 4- ENTRE RIOS-BUENOS AIRES
This morning, meet with a local Jewish resident of the colony to learn about the exciting history of these Jewish Pioneers, called “Los Gauchos Judios.” Visit the Jewish Argentine Association of Villaguay, which serves the community as a synagogue and a tiny Hebrew School where children ages 3 to 14 attend classes twice-weekly. Drive to Villa Dominguez for lunch followed by a visit to the Museum and Regional Archives which houses nearly 1,000 books in Yiddish, Spanish and Russian all donated by the local residents. Time permitting, visit the lovely synagogue at Villa Clara before returning to Buenos Aires. BL

FRIDAY, DAY 5- BUENOS AIRES
Today’s touring gives us a first hand look at this exciting city, birthplace of the Tango. See Avenida de Mayo – running into Plaza de Mayo, which is surrounded by the Casa Rosada Government House, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo, the city’s first City Hall, built during Spanish rule. Visit a variety of historical neighborhoods, such as San Telmo, the city’s oldest area, La Boca, Buenos Aires’ most colorful area – stroll the famous Caminito Street to meet artists offering their Tango paintings.And in Palermo, the City Zoo, Botanical Gardens and gorgeous artificial lakes. Visit the cemetery of Recoleta, final resting place of Eva Duarte who became famous as Eva Peron (Evita). Visit Once, home of the highest concentration of Jewish institutions in Buenos Aires – the Hebraica Jewish Country Club, several synagogues, Jewish theatres and schools as well as Rabbinical Seminaries. Drive through the “mea shearim” of Bam, where many orthodox live, and pause at the site of the bombing of AMIA in 1994 – and its memorial to the 89 victims. Tonight, Shabbat dinner together. BD

SATURDAY, DAY 6 – BUENOS AIRES
Shabbat at leisure to spend as you would at home. Tonight, dinner at a popular steak house, followed by a world-famous Tango Show. BD

SUNDAY, DAY 7- BUENOS AIRES-IGUASSU FALLS
Fly to Iguassu Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders! The Falls consists of 275 separate Cataracts across a span of 2 & ½ miles; wider than Victoria – higher than Niagara – and arguably more beautiful than both. Today, we visit the Brazilian side of the Falls, then lunch at the Das Cataratas Hotel. BL

MONDAY, DAY 8- IGUASSU FALLS- SALVADOR
This morning, visit the Argentinian side of the Falls, including a visit to the famous Devil’s Throat, the most magnificent of the Cataracts, to view photograph the thundering waters below. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Salvador Bahia, where the native Brazilians and Portuguese settlers and the African slaves whom they shipped across the South Atlantic to harvest sugar, began fashioning a vivid new culture. Check-in to your beautiful hotel and tonight, a unique dining event – the harborside restaurant, Tropiche Adelaide! Fitted into an old warehouse, but sharply modern, it pays fond, but subtle homage to regional culinary traditions – taro root, coconut, mango, banana leaves and mandioguinhas (potato-like tubers with bright yellow pulp) dot the menu – but the utter freshness of the fish---grilled or fried--- that sets this restaurant apart. Enjoy! BD

TUESDAY, DAY 9- SALVADOR
Tour the “old quarter” of Brazil’s first capital city founded by the Portuguese. Its unique African character is a holdover from years of slave trading. View historical relics, religious art and the Pelourinho District, considered an important complex of colonial baroque architecture. Visit the oldest synagogue in South America and learn about the co-existence of the Jewish community side-by-side with the African-Brazilian culture. Afternoon folklore show entertains you. Evening at leisure. B

WEDNESDAY, DAY 10 – SALVADOR-RIO DE JANEIRO
Fly to Rio, pulsating sun and fun capital of South America, and in particular, Brazil. Today’s tour begins at Copacabana and Ipanema, two of the world’s most famous beaches. Then, a cable car ascent to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, for an eye-opening view of the beaches and Guanabara Bay. Visit Rio’s Grand Synagogue, magnificently restored by famed publisher Adolpho Block. Browse the Jewish area of Ben Gurion Square and Theodor Herzl Street, and visit the Jewish Community Center for a briefing on Brazilian Jewry. B

THURSDAY, DAY 11- RIO DE JANEIRO
Today’s tour includes a 20 minute train ride through the Tijuca Forest up Corcovado Mountain. A breathtaking view of the landscape awaits. Descend and head for Club Hebraica for lunch. More Jewish sites await…such as one of the largest Day Schools in Rio and B’nai Brith, and a possible opportunity to meet with Rabbi Newton Bonner who works with the young Jewish generation to keep alive the interest in religion, culture and values at Barra Synagogue. Tonight, we’ve planned a festive Rio by Night tour including dinner at a traditional Brazilian Churrascaria (barbeque) restaurant – followed by a spectacular Brazilian revue and Samba Show. BLD

FRIDAY, DAY 12- RIO DE JANEIRO
Morning at leisure to enjoy the beach or browse the shops. This afternoon, visit the H.Stern Diamond and Jewelry polishing factory and workshop and an opportunity to make a purchase – at excellent prices - Balance of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, our Farewell Shabbat Dinner together caps a memorable journey. BD

SATURDAY, DAY 13- RIO DE JANEIRO – EN ROUTE
A final day at leisure. Perhaps an optional visit to Petropolis, a fascinating and elegant colonial town? Late night transfer to the airport for the midnight flight back to the U.S.. B

SUNDAY, DAY 14- EN ROUTE
Morning arrival.

This is a sample itinerary – distribution of sites & leisure time is subject to change. Meal Conditions: Buffet breakfast daily – 4 lunches – 7 dinners

Accommodations:

CITY............#NIGHTS...................HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
BUENOS AIRES........1...................SOFITEL, BUENOS AIRES
VILLAGUAY.............1...................HOTEL SOLAZ
BUENOS AIRES........3...................SOFITEL, BUENOS AIRES
IGUASSU FALLS.......1..................SHERATON INTERNACIONAL/
.................................................IGUAZU GRAND (FEB)
SALVADOR..............2..................PESTANA BAHIA
RIO DE JANEIRO.......3...............+ DAY ROOM, CAESAR PARK HOTEL