Jewish Portugal

with Gloria Ribeiro

The Jewish heritage of Lisbon started in Roman times (if not before). This visit will allow you to understand the living Jewish community in Lisbon and learn about their history, their traditions and their everyday life. We will see the Sharee Tikva synagogue and refer to the massacre of Passover of 1506, for which a memorial was built by Jews and Catholics to express the reconciliation between religions. We will also walk virtually through Lisbon’s historic downtown, where two of the Jewish quarters used to be located. The Alfama, the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon, still preserves the 8th century layout, and here, Jews, Christians and Muslims used to live and work side by side.

For centuries after the expulsion, many “Conversos” kept practicing their faith in secrecy, and the most famous example are the Belmonte Jews, who until recently lived as an isolated community. We will also learn about the growing community of Porto, representing about 500 Jews from more than 30 countries.

Glória Ribeiro finished her university degree on National Tourist Guiding, and became Portugal’s official guide in five languages in 2004. She loves to show her people and their history to all her visitors, especially Portuguese Jewish history. She actually believes she has Jewish background herself.

Please click here to register online. Zoom information will be shared a few days before program.