Jewish heritage

About Tour

The Jews of Ukraine and Moldova, along with others in the successor states of the old Russian Empire, have been at the center of some of the most dramatic events of modern history: the I and II World Wars, the Holocaust, revolutions, pogroms, political liberations, repressions, the breakup of the Soviet Union and the establishment of independent states. Jews in these countries have gone through dizzyingly rapid changes in economic and social mobility. There are many places you may visit - synagogues, memorials, schools, Jewish history museums, libraries and Jewish cemeteries. Today, Jewish communities of Moldova and Ukraine are witnessing great renaissance.

1 st Day

Arrival in Chisinau

Included highlights:

On arrival to Chisinau your acquaintance with the capital of Moldova starts. First, you check-in at the local hotel and meet local guide who will take you for 4 hours city tour including:

  • Holocaust Jewish Memorial,
  • Jewish Cemetery,
  • Chisinau Synagogue,
  • Chisinau Jewish Pogrom 1903-1905 Memorial,
  • I. Manger Jewish Library,
  • Jewish History Museum and Kishinev Jacobs Jewish Campus (KEDEM).

Optional highlights:

Lunch in the restaurant specialized in traditional Moldovan cuisine or on your preliminary request you you may have lunch with Kosher Food.

Included meals:
  • Lunch
2 nd Day

Between Jewish and Roma comunity

Included highlights:

  • Start our trip to Soroca town known for its sizable Roma minority.
  • On arrival to Soroca we visit the fortress which is the unique monument of defensive architecture of Europe.
  • Lunch in the local restaurant.
  • Drive to the Roma’ district of Soroca famous by its “Posh” palaces.
  • The highlights of the tour are local synagogue and cemetery.
  • Return to Chisinau.

Optional highlights:

On your preliminary request we can even arrange a meeting with the local Jewish community leader.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
3 rd Day

Last Jewish experiences in Moldova and departer

Included highlights:

  • Transfer to the International airport in Chisinău.

Optional highlights:

Beltsy city is the biggest industrial and cultural center in the Northern part of Moldova. According to some sources, the first Jews appeared in this region of Moldova at the beginning of the 10th century. In 1580, the locality later named Beltsy was formed around a small Jewish tavern - korchma. During the second part of the 19th century, Jews made up more than 50% of the population in Beltsy and small surrounding settlements. Starting with 1989, the Beltsy Jewish community is the second biggest community after Kishinev as well as the regional center for 49 small towns and villages in the North of Moldova. Jewish population is 2,000 (plus about 600 from Beltsy periphery). Since 2000, the Beltsy community has a winning program with the Jewish Federation of Greensboro, NC that supports the main projects of the local Jewry.

  • Visit the synagogue and the Association of the Jewish Organizations of Beltsy, the "Hesed Yakov" Welfare Center, JCC, that serve the local community.
  • Visit the local synagogue, the cemetery and speak to the local Jewish community.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast

What People Say

More reviews ›

I could give her at least fifteen stars... Cristina is an exemplary guide, makes you know Moldova like no one ever. On a par if not better than those who work in destinations definitely more popular. Experience to be done without any doubt.

What a wonderful holiday. Everything was well organised and went well.

The guide, Cristina, was excellent, good English and very knowledgeable and keen that we should see every cultural and characteristic aspect of Moldova.

The visit to the Roma "family" was fascinating-not a "family" visit but a meeting with the Roma head of family in his huge house ornate and wealthy and we had a delicious home make cherry juice and had a question and answer session with him. He,Robert, is a relative of the Roma king; This was very informative as I am very interested in everyone and everything but tourists need to be interested in the Roma people and way of life otherwise input wouldn't be so fascinating!!

The visit to the "old believers" village was just great-tea from a samovar and cakes and a very pleasant woman the librarian and museum custodian.

In Gaugazia we met the Museum curator and again a fascinating insight into Gaugazian history.

Much of our enjoyment and insights was enhances by Cristina who translated everything so well.

The visits to the wineries were an eye opener and the wine tasting too. I recommend tourists who go to the Cricova winery to to wear warm clothes and a scarf as we go deep down into the underground "city" to see the stored wine.

We loved the food (and all the wine).

Natalia, a very knowledgeable guide, has beaten my expectations by far!!! I am a frequent traveller, always trying to find good guides. But up till now Natalia is my absolute favorite. It's the information she gave us in between you never can expect from a normal tour guide. Everything was well organized. One can feel that she loves her job. She has wide-ranging skills. Thank you!