Private Jewish Tour Of Buenos Aires

Private Jewish Tour Of Buenos Aires Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Buenos Aires has a long and positive Jewish history to share with you.

Buenos Aires has long been a safe haven for the Jewish people during many periods of anti-semitism in history. The first major immigration was in the 19th century and your journey today will begin there and bring you to the present. This tour is focused on the history of the Argentine-Jewish community, right from its beginnings, with the first immigrants in the 19th century up to the present. Discover history and culture on this one-of-a-kind tour.

During the middle decades of the 19th century, Jews arrived in small number from two areas, Western Europe and Morocco. Small numbers also trickled in from Russia. Current events around the world over the years would affect life and attitude in Buenos Aires. Furthermore, the population in this Jewish community, which at one time was estimated to be around 250,000 in the 1950s, found many moving to Israel, diminishing their numbers. But the community was tight-knit and came together after the bombings of the Israeli Embassy in 1992 followed by the destruction of the AMIA, short for Sociación Mutual Israelita Argentina. The AMIA was dedicated to the integrated development of all aspects of Jewish life in Argentina. The death toll was over 100 people and remains unsolved.

So, though much of the Jewish history of this culture is more about looking backwards, the Jewish life in Buenos Aires will be ongoing and active in today's world. Your guide will be extremely knowledgeable in the history but also familiar with life here now as a Jew. The current narrative of Jewish life is one of inclusion as well as exclusion, dependent on government policies at the time. Since a democratic president was elected in 1983, the Jews have found Buenos Aires a comfortable home and the people willing to accept their talents. The textile industry along with chemical, electronics, and auto industries have had influential people from the community involved in each. Jews founded two banks in the country. Yet they are not part of the high ranks of the military, foreign ministry and judiciary.

Along with listening to the narration as you travel through neighborhoods, you will have the opportunity to enter some of the places you are hearing about. You will visit the AMIA building, the last target of terrorism in the city and the most devastating. Here you will see the memorial set up for those victims as well as a film about the Israeli Embassy attack, which occurred several years before the AMIA.

You will be able to visit the Holocaust Museum which recently opened after renovation. You will see objects and photographs from WWII as well as documentation from survivors who moved to Argentina from all over Europe. And the Libertad Synagogue, also referred to as the Grand Synagogue, will be a stop. Inside there is a Jewish Museum and your guide will enhance your stop with more information.

- Please dress comfortably and respectfully.
- We will need some personal details at the time of booking, i.e. your full name as on your passport.
- You must carry your passport with you at all times during this tour.
- The visits to the 3 institutions have an obligatory donation per person, which will be defined at the start of the tour. These fees are paid on site: MIA is $10 person, and Jewish Museum $15.
- No food or beverages are included in this tour.
- You may extend the service by the hour when you book this tour. This will allow you to see other things and/or stop for a typical Argentinian lunch.
- A gratuity will be greatly appreciated.

- YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU TO ENTER THESE BUILDINGS.
- Each location has its own hours. Most are not available Friday through Sunday. We will still take you to as many places as possible and the content will remain the same on those days. Substitutions will be made if possible.
- There are occasions where, at the last minute, one of these buildings may close for other events. We will do our best to work around them.
- If you wish to extend this tour so you can see more of the city or stop for lunch, you can add extra time during booking.

Days offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Departures:

• 09:00 AM, duration: 3 hours