The Jewish Heritage on the Iberian Peninsula goes back to the first century, still during the Roman Empire. Portuguese historians believe that the first Jewish people arrived in Portugal after the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, during the I century and probably even before during the era of the Phoenicians. After the Romans, the land was attacked and ruled by the Germanic tribes, the Barbarians. In 711, Sefard (from Hebrew, meaning both today´s Spain and Portugal) was taken over by the Moors in 711.
They were Muslims from northern Africa, they were tolerant towards other religions, and the era was called the Golden Age, everyone lived together and flourished. After the so-called Reconquista, Sefarad was slowly gained by the Christians, between the X and the XII century. When the Kingdom of Portugal was established in the XI century, during the rule of the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, Jews were given influential and important positions at the royal court. Continuing, up to the XV century Jewish presence was of a big relevance in Portugal.
Everything changed when the Spanish Queen and King issued the Edict of Expulsion. Thousands of Jews fled to Portugal, believing there they would be safe. Unfortunately, it only lasted 4 years, when the Portuguese king Manuel I signed an equal Edict of Expulsion in 1496. This was followed by the establishment of the Inquisition. From this moment the society is divided into “Old Christians” and “New Christians” (those forcefully converted and the following generations (also called in Hebrew: Bnei Annusim).
It was an amazing phenomenon when Jews were not allowed to practice anymore, but they did, however secretly in hiding. During the Tour you will learn a lot more about the Crypto-Jews, how kept Jewish religion and customs, passed only orally, as nothing written in Hebrew was allowed anymore. We will visit places, such as Belmonte, where Judaism was completely “underground” until the XX century.
They will visit some of the oldest synagogues (and secret Synagogues). We invite you to explore the Sefardic history and heritage, but the issue of Ashkenazi Jews coming to Portugal and creating their Communities will be one of our subjects as well.
Discover Portugal, its people, its history, and the culture, on a relaxed kosher tour, tailored to your needs and your pace, while tasting our gastronomy and learning about the Jewish roots outside the touristy areas
✅ Confirmed Hotels
Lisbon: VIP Grand Lisboa Hotel & Spa — 4 nights (2 at start, 2 at end)
Belmonte: Belmonte Sinai Hotel — 1 night
Porto: Hotel da Música — 3 nights
Thank u to David and Chana , David and Bonnie , Rabbi and Ruchama Muskin , Rabbi and Jordana Topp…. It was truly an awesome trip to Dubai April 2023 and we met wonderful people . Everyone was so warm and friendly and we truly enjoyed meeting u all . Looking forward to seeing u all In Yerushalayim eyr hakodesh
Many thanks, Dina.
After the loss of my beloved wife Muriel Z’L last year I confess I was dreading my first Seder and Pesach in 63 years without her by my side. However once the position became clear, Rabbi David Lapin and Gilda Posner and their respective families lost no opportunity of involving us with them and with other guests, as well as in the program generally.
It is thanks to them that we enjoyed the Chag more than we had ever hoped for, and I shall be most grateful if you will convey my heartfelt thanks and that of my son and granddaughter to them for their empathy.
As to the program itself, I am happy to have been able to contribute something to its content and hope, IY’H, to be able to do so again in the future.
Kind regards and Shabbat Shalom
David & Chana, Shelley, Yossi, Dina, Ariel and all at Team Kosher Travelers!
As we approach our first Shabbos after Rhodes, our nearly 30 BA’H family members are looking around for our monster table on the PR level and can’t quite understand why the spread of delicacies isn’t quite what it was this time last week. Or the week before…
It’s therefore an appropriate time to thank you all for the most positive, relaxing, fun filled and meaningful holiday we have ever experienced as a family.
From start to finish, it has been an absolute pleasure to deal with you all. The logistics of our booking were not the easiest and, throughout, you helped find solutions that made things work.
We were overwhelmed when we arrived and equally overwhelmed when we reluctantly left! The attention to detail was unparalleled throughout; the location was beautiful and the class with which you all operated was something hugely impressive.
We chose Pesach to celebrate a momentous occasion in Sue & Alfred’s lives and you helped us fulfil that celebration in style and love. And for that and a fabulous 12 days and nights, we will be forever grateful to you all.
Keep doing what you do and with the usual smiles on your faces; it is a unique and superb example to your industry.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and with love and thanks always
David and Chana,
Thank you again for an incredible program and meaningful Pesach. I truly appreciate your kindness in inviting me to join you and your family for Shabbat meals. It was fun!
I would love to continue our marketing conversation. I am happy to speak to any person to tell them how wonderful the program was and help in any way with Guest Relations (I can handle tough personalities with ease 🙂
Both of your passion and understanding/expertise in this business is evident. You took care of every detail and it showed. It made a huge impact on the my family’s chag.
Thank you again.
Shabbat Shalom.
All the best,
