Overview
Argentina has the largest Jewish population of any country in Latin America, and the vibrant and sophisticated city of Buenos Aires is currently home to nearly 200,000 Jews, the eighth largest in the Jewish population in the world. Formed from Spanish and Portuguese Jews in the early sixteenth century, and waves of immigrants from countries like France and Italy in the mid-1800s and later Russia and other Eastern European countries, the community also maintains a significant Sephardic presence, many of Syrian descent.
On this unforgettable tour, we will discover the international oasis, storied history, and active Jewish heritage of Buenos Aires with expert scholars and guides. In addition to the city’s numerous synagogues, Jewish organizations, schools, and clubs, and at least 50 kosher restaurants (as well as the only kosher McDonald’s outside of Israel), Buenos Aires boasts many world-class museums and important Jewish remembrance sites.
In Buenos Aires, we will explore the active Jewish neighborhoods of Once and Abasto, visit synagogues and notable locations, stop at several museums, (including the Eva Perón museum) and take a back-stage tour of the famed Colon Theatre. Together, we’ll experience the splendors of the city’s eclectic architecture, explore the pleasures of its colorful neighborhoods — from artsy cafes to street performers to antique fairs— and tap into the pulse of “the Paris of South America.”
We will top off our one-of-a-kind tour with an enriching overnight trip to the spectacular Iguazu falls and nature park on the border between Argentina and Brazil. With more than 275 falls, it is so impressive that upon visiting it, Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have remarked, “Poor Niagara!”
Highlights
9 nights deluxe accommodations (8 at the Buenos Aires Marriott and 1 at the deluxe Iguazu Grand Resort, Spa & Casino)
Meet a representative of AMIA, the Jewish community center founded in 1894, who will take us on a tour and share the work of AMIA and its vision for the Jews of Argentina.
Attend evening services at the Byzantine-style Libertad Temple, a national landmark and the first, and now largest, synagogue of Buenos Aires
Tour the Jewish Museum to see pieces of religious art, menorahs, and other objects belonging to the Sephardic and Ashkenazi cultures, and the Museum of the Holocaust-Shoa, where we will talk with a survivor.
Enjoy an excursion to Tigre and the historic Parana River Delta and tour on a private boat amongst the unique vegetation and culture of the many islands.
Experience the awe-inspiring vistas and panoramas of Iguazu falls and nature park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.
Itinerary
Sunday, December 1
Depart from our home cities
Monday, December 2
Our tour starts in the afternoon. We’ll begin in Recoleta, the most sophisticated neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Here you find some of the best restaurants, cafes, night clubs, and shops.
The name Recoleta is derived from the Order of Monjes Recoletos Descalzos (Barefoot Monks from Recoleta) who, in the early seventeenth century, built a convent, a church and a small graveyard, which currently form the heart of the neighborhood. The Recoleta Cemetery (the old graveyard) is laid out like a small city with ornate burial areas and surprises visitors with its architectural richness and the graves of important personalities from Argentinean political and social life, including Eva Perón. Although a Catholic cemetery, there are Jewish families buried here. We’ll also pass the Buenos Aires Design, a shopping centre dedicated to home decorations and interior design, and the Palais de Glace, used today as a center of temporary exhibitions.
We return to our hotel for rest, followed by a group dinner and a presentation by our scholar.
Meals included: dinner
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Tuesday, December 3
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start our program today in the Jewish neighborhoods of Once and Abasto. Here are located several synagogues, two major clubs — Hebraica and Macabi — and several Jewish schools, as well as kosher pizzerias and restaurants. We make our first stop at the Yesod Hadat Sephardic Congregation, a beautiful Eastern-style synagogue created by a group of Jewish immigrants from Aleppo, Syria.
We continue to the new home of AMIA (Israelite Mutual Association of Argentina), one of the longest-standing institutions in the country and dedicated to encouraging Jewish culture in Argentina, preserving its traditions, and promoting community development. The original AMIA building was destroyed in 1994 in a terrorist attack in which 85 people died. During our visit, we will be met by a director of AMIA who will take us on a tour of the building and give us a briefing about AMIA and its vision for the Jews of Argentina.
We’ll then make a brief stop in the Israel Embassy Square, which suffered a brutal terrorist attack in 1992. The square was built in the place where the embassy once stood.
An included group lunch follows.
Afterwards, we’ll pause at LaValle Square, where we see a monument to the victims of the AMIA attack. The organization Memoria Activa continues to meet there every Monday to demand clarification on the attack.
The afternoon continues with a visit to Libertad Temple, where we will meet with one of the rabbis. This Byzantine-style temple was Buenos Aires’s first synagogue. It has been declared a national landmark and is the largest temple in the city.
Next to the synagogue is the Jewish Museum, where we will see objects related to the Jewish presence in Buenos Aires, including pieces of religious art, menorahs, and various objects belonging to the Sephardic and Ashkenazi cultures of Argentina.
We return to the hotel followed by dinner on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Wednesday, December 4
This morning after breakfast at the hotel, we’ll continue our exploration of Buenos Aires at the Plaza de Mayo, the scene of many important political demonstrations. The plaza is surrounded by the Government House, known as the “Pink House,” home to the seat of the executive branch, the Cabildo museum, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Here, we will see an homage that the Catholic Church has made to the Jewish community. It consists of two glass plates between which there are prayer book pages rescued from the ruins of Treblinka and Auschwitz concentration camps and the Warsaw ghetto. There are also two book covers: one a book of tales in Yiddish found under the rubble of the AMIA’s building and the other the Book of Samuel, found while looking for survivors after the Israeli diplomatic building exploded.
We will then drive along the Avenida De Mayo, which starts from the plaza and along which we will see many wide avenues and green spaces. An example of this will be seen at 9 de Julio Avenue, with its eight lanes divided by small green squares filled with old leaf-filled trees and enriched by sculptures and fountains. In the middle of the avenue, in Plaza de la Replica, arises the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, an icon of the city.
We’ll continue with a visit to the Jewish senior center LeDor VaDor, opened in 2007 and funded by local residents and institutions in Argentina and the United States. The facility can house up to 292 residents and accommodate hundreds more for daily activities.
Our next stop is the Museum of the Holocaust-Shoa, where there are activities designed to spread awareness of the Holocaust, as well as a library, resource films, and permanent and temporary exhibits. During our visit, we will meet with a survivor.
We will end our day with a special visit to the Bentio Quinquela Martin Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts.
Return to our hotel. Dinner on your own.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Thursday, December 5
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we will go on an excursion to Tigre river delta. We depart by bus and will drive through residential areas in suburban Buenos Aires. We pass the president’s residence in Olivos and continue to San Isidro and Tigre, a lovely neighborhood situated in the delta of the Parana River. This area was first colonized in 1590 but people only began to move there in the late eighteenth century. The first inhabitants were smugglers who took advantage of the labyrinth of little canals, streams, and islands to hide and enter with goods, evading the customs taxes. In the late 19th century, it became the favorite recreation place for the elite classes of Buenos Aires.
We will explore the delta and its cooling air and subtropical vegetation by boat, allowing us to admire the many stately old residences, which contrast with numerous small wooden houses, and pass by yacht and rowing clubs. In this way, we come to know this unique community that lives in an ongoing relationship with the waters.
We will have lunch at a typical restaurant on one of the islands and relax for a while in this ideal natural environment, away from the bustle of the city.
In the afternoon, we return to our hotel and have the rest of the day for leisure and dinner on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Friday, December 6
After breakfast at the hotel, this morning we will go to the Malba Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires. The Malba houses the Constatini Collection, the first Latin American art collection in Argentina and one of the most important collections in the world. With its 222 masterpieces, it showcases the development of Latin America painting and sculpture throughout the 20th century. Although some older artists are included, the collection starts chronologically with the Latin American vanguards of the second decade of the 20th century. The collection gathers important masterpieces that allow the visitors to clearly see the combination between the different artistic movements in Latin American countries.
We will continue with a backstage tour of the famed Colon Theatre, one of the most important opera houses in the world, followed by a break for lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, we will visit and tour the Eva Perón Museum.
We end our day with evening services at Libertad Synagogue. After services, we will enjoy a Shabbat dinner together.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Saturday, December 7
Following breakfast at the hotel, you’ll enjoy a day of leisure on your own to explore Buenos Aires. Stroll its enchanting neighborhoods, sit in one of the many sidewalk cafes, find a place for a delicious lunch, and take in the vibrant vibes and personality of “the Paris of South America.”
In the evening, we will have dinner together and attend a tango show, one of Argentina’s most renowned contributions to the arts.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Sunday, December 8
This morning after breakfast, we’ll start our day in the colorful port neighborhood of La Boca with its famous “Caminito” street, whose characteristics and customs reflect the influence of immigration by sailors who arrived in the late 19th century. We will then visit San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Its colonial houses and cobbled streets have kept untouched most of the architectural patrimony of its immigrant settlers. A bustling antique fair is held in Plaza Dorrego every Sunday, and you will have the opportunity to wander through it with the locals to see the wide array of offerings.
We’ll continue to the modern, high-end district of Puerto Madero, where we will have a group lunch. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure and enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Monday, December 9
Today we have an early morning departure from the hotel to the Jorge Newbery City Airport in Buenos Aires for our flight to Iguazu on the border with Brazil.
In Iguazu, we will be met by our local guide for our visit to the Argentine side of the famous falls. The waterfalls are located in the Iguazu National Park and are one of the first protected areas in the Americas. The park and falls were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. The waterfalls have 275 jumps of water that fall from an average height of 70 meters (about 230 feet). In this sub-tropical forest, it is possible to see a wide variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies, and numerous native species.
We will then go to the Estacion Central (Central Station), where we board a train to take us to the Estacion Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat Station) in just under 20 minutes. An easy 1,200-meter walk (about 3/4 mile) will take us to the great balcony of the most important jumps of the Iguazu falls, the Devil’s Throat. We will also enjoy an easy walk along the Upper Circuit of the falls, a 1.5 mile loop. This protected trail is an elevated footbridge above the ground to avoid impacting the fauna of the forest. From this circuit, it is possible to see the upper parts of the waterfalls. (Please note: These walks have no stairs.) Lunch will be provided during the program at the National Park.
We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon and have dinner there.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodations: Iguazú Grand Resort Spa and Casino
Tuesday, December 10
This morning, we’ll take breakfast at the hotel, then depart to cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge and Juan D. Peron Bridge that connect the cities of Puerto Iguazu in Argentina with Foz the Iguazu in Brazil. Here we will visit Iguazu National Park, one of the largest nature reserves of Brazil. We arrive at the tourist center and board a coach that will take us to the park and the 950-meter (1/2 mile) walkways that hang over the gully of the River Iguazu.
During our tour, we will have an amazing view of the Isla San Martin and some of the most important jumps of the Iguazu falls such as the Bossetti, the San Martina, and the Tres Mosqueteros. We will also come to a magnificent viewpoint of the Devil’s Throat that we visited the day before. The beauty of this place is unparalleled, with the constant presence of rainbows highlighting its magic. Our tour will end at the Floriano Jump, where you will have the opportunity to take a panoramic elevator. Our coach then awaits us for the ride back to our hotel. (Please note: There are some stairs during this walk. Participants who cannot walk the stairs can take the coach to the viewpoint and take the elevator down for an up-close view of Devil’s Throat.)
After lunch on your own, we will depart for the airport to fly back to Buenos Aires.
Check into our hotel and meet in the evening for a Farewell Dinner.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodations: Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
Wednesday, December 11
Breakfast followed by leisure time before departing for flights home.
Meals included: breakfast
Gallery
Traveling with you…
Each of our scholars are outstanding experts in their fields and play an active role in helping us design our journeys as well as accompanying us as we travel.
Ariel Goldstein
Ariel Goldstein, born in Uruguay, studied Latin American history in Montevideo and at the Israel School of Tourism in Jerusalem. After six years working as a tour guide in Israel, Ariel moved to the U.S., where he developed and led trips to South America for adult students at the Spanish in Marin language school in Marin County, California. In 2006 and 2009, he led trips to Tunisia and the Persian Gulf for educational tour operators High Country Passage and World Leaders Travel. In 2007, Ariel founded the Travel Program at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, where he directed the program until 2017, leading tours throughout Israel, Europe, Latin America, China, India, Africa, and the U.S. Ariel speaks English, Spanish, Hebrew and Portuguese and has visited more than 40 countries around the world.
Accommodations
Buenos Aires Marriott Hotel
The sophistication of the Buenos Aires Marriott in downtown Buenos Aires makes it the select destination of visitors from all over the world. Tasteful, fully appointed rooms provide plush bedding, high-speed Internet, and all the amenities to make one’s stay comfortable and pleasurable. From its prime location in what locals call “El Centro,” guests can walk to any number of notable sites, including the inspiring Obelisk, the Colon Theater, the Palace of Justice, and the grand, tree-lined 9 de Julio Avenue. The hotel also offers stunning views of the city from the rooftop terrace, a spa, 24-hour gym, and indoor pool, and the on-site Luciernaga restaurant serves Argentinian dishes designed to delight international palates.
Iguazú Grand Resort Spa and Casino
Immersed in nature just minutes from the Iguazu Falls, the Hotel Iguazú Grand is a luxury resort that offers elegant modern rooms that overlook lush gardens designed by the renowned French-Argentinian landscape architect Carlos Thays. A stay here provides sophisticated comfort, with full in-room amenities, including WiFi, as well as a gym, wellness center, and a large outdoor pool and deck area. Its haute cuisine restaurants feature dishes crafted with locally produced organic ingredients.
Details
Program Cost: $6,750* includes:
- 9 nights’ accommodations at deluxe hotels
- Full breakfast daily; two lunches; four dinners
- All group transportation via deluxe air-conditioned coach
- All lectures, guided tours, museums and site entrance fees
*Per person, double occupancy; single supplement: $1,950. Fees not included: gratuities: $195. Museum membership for nonmembers.
Please note: As of January 10, 2024 U.S passport holders traveling to Brazil (location of the Iguazu Falls) require a visa. The visa application can be completed online.
Secure your place
Book Now: use the link below to reach our easy online booking form.
By phone: 845-256-0197 Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm EST.
Payment Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 per person. Final balance is due 120 days prior to departure.
Membership Participation on these tours is a benefit for active members of our museum partners. During the registration process, you will be asked about your membership status with your affiliated museum. If you are not a current member, you will have a chance to activate your membership.
Participation Tour sizes are limited to 28 participants unless otherwise noted. Trips entail considerable walking including over uneven terrain. Participants need to be in good health, be able to keep up with the group, be able to experience group and cultural differences with grace. Please let us know if you have any physical conditions that may require special attention while on tour.
Cancellations All cancellations must be received by Jewish Heritage Travel in writing. Cancellations received 120 days or more prior to departure: full refund less nonrefundable deposits, per person; 119–90 days prior to departure: 50% refund per person after nonrefundable deposits. 89–0 days before departure: no refund.
Trip Cancellation Insurance Jewish Heritage Travel strongly urges all participants to purchase travel insurance for coverage of losses necessitated by having to cancel due to illness or accident. For your convenience, we are providing a link to Allianz Global Assistance, which many past participants have used. Please use code ACCAM/Agency ID# F026815 or feel free to use your own insurance agent. When purchasing insurance, please consider the plans carefully to familiarize yourself with what is covered. In this context, do take note that most insurance companies generally will waive exclusion for preexisting conditions only if your application is received by them within 14 days from the date of your program registration. If you have a preexisting medical condition and are interested in taking trip insurance, you should do so either with Allianz or through your own insurance agent within 14 days of registration.
Changes All rights are reserved by Jewish Heritage Travel to make scholar substitutions and/or to modify the itinerary (including hotels) as needed. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require the itinerary to be altered, Jewish Heritage Travel reserves the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. Any extra expenses incurred in this situation are the responsibility of the participant.
Disclaimer of Responsibility By registering for this program, participant specifically waives any and all claims of action against the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Jewish Heritage Travel office and their respective staffs for damages, loss, injury, accident, or death incurred by any person in connection with this tour. The Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Jewish Heritage Travel office and their respective staffs assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the service of any train, vessel, carriage, aircraft, or other conveyance that may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the passengers. Neither will the Museum of Jewish Heritage or the Jewish Heritage Travel office or their staffs be responsible for any injury, death, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity through neglect or default of any company or person engaged in carrying out the purposes for which tickets, vouchers, or coupons are issued. No responsibility is accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, viruses, weather, strikes, wars, and other causes. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for any reason whatsoever to alter the itinerary or arrangements, including hotels or scholars, such alterations may be made without penalty. All rights reserved to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at his/her own expense when such an action is determined by the tour staff to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety and that of the group in general. Prices subject to change. Cost in effect at time of registration will be honored.
Registration
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