Posts by jetsetway

Buenos Aires; Cruise Day 18

jetsetway — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:59:16 +0000

It was a busy day today. Because we are going on a trip tomorrow morning at 6:00, it did not make sense to go out on the town tonight. Furthermore the ship was not scheduled to arrive until 1:00 p.m.

We actually did not arrive until about 2:30 because there was so much maritime traffic. The port is very shallow here, and in certain parts we only had 3 feet of water below the ship.

The result was that I had three hours to learn Buenos Aires, learn about the the Jewish Community here, and get my Starbucks. My experience is that with a private guide and car we can learn and see much more in three hours than bus tours do in eight hours. That is what we did.

Furthermore, Allyn’s oldest and dearest friend, Stephanie, was to join us on the second leg. The ship was kind enough to let her board today, a day early, since she already arrived in Buenos Aires.

This city is very international, much more so than even Rio. It actually looks very similar to a big East Coast city, with modern high-rises and old run-down neighborhoods. The people stem from many Italian and Spanish immigrants. As such, the people tend to have the “dark hair look” common to New Yorkers.

I expected a third world feel and certainly did not get it.

There are 200,000 Jewish people here, but they are much more visible and influential than their numbers show. Unfortunately, like we witnessed in Mexico and Turkey, there was huge security at everything Jewish because of past problems. Above you see a picture of the site of the former Israeli Embassy (which was blown up).

Agriculture is huge in this country, but unlike the U.S. (where there is a huge farmer population), about 1,000 families own all of it here and are generally very prosperous.

The Boulevard 9 of Julio (from their Independence day), is the widest in the world, according to our guide.

The city has a certain French look, because wealthy people 100 years ago liked this look and made it happen.

By the way, Peron was not a Nazi. Although he was Right leaning, he really liked money most. He let in Nazis, Jews and anybody else who would help his (financial) cause.

For photos and more blog entries from our World Cruise, visit my travel blog here:
http://www.jetsetway.com/entries/buenos-aires-cruise-day-18

Venice's Jewish Ghetto

jetsetway — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:02:07 +0000

The original ghetto was is Venice and is a must see sight for people of all heritages.

We have come to know the word ghetto as urban areas were impoverished minorities tend to live. For those who have knowledge of WWII, from 1939 – 1944 Jews in Nazi occupied Europe were held in ghettos prior to being deported to concentration and death camps.

The original ghetto was is Venice. When Jews were being kicked out of cities all over Europe they were “tolerated” and allowed to live in Venice, but forced to live in the Ghetto from 1516 until 1797.

It worked because it was an island that was in a non desirable part of town where the people could be locked in every evening.

The word “ghetto” really comes from the Italian word for foundry. The Jewish Ghetto as on the island that previously was the home of the Venetian smelting works.

Jews were not allowed to be employed in many professions besides tailoring, money-lending, some banking, insurance and medicine.

Although many prospered economically, often they were required to wear distinctive yellow clothing and symbols.

Jews were granted full civic status in 1818.

Tip - Do not miss the 40 minute walking tour that starts frequently from the Jewish Community Museum.

For more on my Jewish Travels, visit my blog at http://JetSetWay.com. Thanks.

Budapest

jetsetway — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:34:55 +0000

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and has one of the highest number of Jewish citizens per capita of any European city. It is also home to the second largest synagogue in the world, which survived WWII because because Nazis used it for strategic reasons.

June 1944 saw the forced deportations of Jews by Hungarians. Today they are remembered by a metal Weeping Willow Holocaust Memorial. This “Tree of Life” memorial resembles a weeping willow whose leaves bear the names of the 600,000 Hungarian Jews who perished in the Holocaust. The inscription on top of the memorial reads: "Whose agony is greater than mine."

Also of special interest is the Shoes on the Danube Promenade: a memorial to the Budapest Jews who fell victim to Hungarian pro-Nazi militiamen on January 8, 1945. It depicts sixty pairs of shoes left behind by Jews shot on the banks of the Danube River. It was erected April 16, 2005 by Gyula Pauer and Can Togay to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of the Holocaust.

Also of significant importance is the Statue of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish humanitarian who worked to save Hungarian Jews in 1944. With the help of Swedish diplomats, Wallenberg issued protective passports and housed several thousands Jews, saving tens of thousands lives.

As usual I strongly suggest a private guide for greater leaning. I arranged a guide in Budapest through www.jewishvisitorsservice.com. To view photos of the above, visit my personal blog at: http://JetSetWay.com.

Jewish Curacao

jetsetway — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:37:06 +0000

Jews have lived in Curacao for over 350 years. The community peaked in 1800 with over 2,000 Jews living on the island, many of them slave-owners who ran large sugar plantations. Today, the population has dwindled to about 450.

Consecrated on the eve of Passover in 1732, Curacao is also home to the oldest extant synagogue in the New World. The Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue covers about a square block, right in the heart of Willemstad, and is a fine example of Dutch architecture.

Of special interest in the synagogue is the sand floor. Today the sand is imported from Suriname or Guyana, though historically it had been mixed with sand from Israel. It must come from riverbeds (not the ocean) to prevent salt corrosion of the mahogany furniture.

Some say the sand represents the Sinai Desert where the Israelites wondered for 40 years when passing from slavery to freedom. Others attribute the sand to traditions from the Inquisition, when sand covered floors in synagogues (in Spain and Portugal) to muffle footsteps of Jews worshipping in secret. Either way, its no wonder it is Curacao’s number one tourist attraction and a must see.

For more Jewish adventures in travels, visit my travel blog at http://JetSetWay.com

Lost Jews of Palma (Mallorca)

jetsetway — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:42:21 +0100

Today I arranged for a private Jewish tour of Palma, Mallorca.

Tip – Generally opting for a private tour instead of a group tour is the smart way to go. Often just four people can sightsee cheaper with a private guide than signing up for the group tour. It certainly allows much more customization and knowledge while shortening the elapsed time. Sitting in a bus waiting for stranglers is not my idea of a good time.

I like Jewish tours because 1) I am Jewish, and 2) they tend to cover centuries of a region’s entire history. Therefore a Jewish tour is quite comprehensive.

Jews were persecuted severely in Spain for centuries going way back. They were formally banned about the time of Columbus, but many had emigrated by then. Many others converted to Christianity and their families practiced the faith for 600 years. Much of the population here is Chuetas who were originally of Jewish descent. Even after converting they were generally second class citizens.

Now some choose to regain their Jewish faith and convert, others feel there is no reason to convert because they already are Jewish. Yet others are very happy being Christian as that is what they have known for generations. Finally, some claim there never was any mixed blood. Actually there is significant mixed Jewish and Muslim blood all over Spain because of the mass conversions.

Many Chuetas practiced a few Jewish traditions, but never knew why. Sometimes traditions were passed along but not the rationale or background for the safety of the families. Even today there are some interesting things done and not said in the open community.

Note the picture on this blog. This is a window of a jewelry store mainly selling Catholic items. But I did notice a yad. A yad is used by Jews around the world to point to their place when reading from the Torah. My theory is that here the store owner is secretly pointing out that he has some Jewish background – almost like a secret handshake. I asked my guide who knows the owners and confirmed they have a Chuetas background but are Christians.

For more Jewish Travel, visit my site: www.JetSetWay.com. Thanks.