Rio Jewish Heritage Half-Day Tour
Description
The Jewish presence in Rio de Janeiro started at the time of the first Portuguese navigators in the 1500´s. Since then, the Israelite immigration was constant, mainly thanks to the encouragement of a great admirer of the Jewish culture, the emperor D. Pedro II. For this tour we have selected the main attractions of the Jewish heritage in Rio de Janeiro, presented by expert tour guides. If possible, besides the attractions listed we will also plan to visit, in Copacabana, the Beth El Synagogue and Clube Israelita Brasileiro, where they keep a comunity farmacy to help the ones in need. Note: The synagogues Beth Yaacov (in the Eastern-European Ashkenazi rite) in Copacabana, and Beit Lubavitch (Orthodox Chasidic rite), in Leblon, may replace other synagogues, per client request. Note: - Visits to synagogues depend on availability on the day. If there is an internal event, we will not be able to enter. - The Holocaust Memorial only opens from Thursday till Sunday.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour will start with a visit to The Hebrew Union Shel Guemilut Hassadim, the oldest synagogue in Rio de Janeiro. It was founded by Moroccan Jews presumably in 1840, at a time when non-Catholic worship was prohibited in Brazil.
We will also visit the Park Itzhak Rabin / Mirante do Pasmado, with its privileged views over Botafogo beach and Sugar Loaf Mountain. On the way to Downtown, see Chaim Weitzman Square, a public school named after Anne Frank, and the neighborhood of Catete, where resident Jews formerly established a thriving furniture business.
The Holocaust Memorial aims to preserve and make known the stories of victims and survivors of the genocide that hit Jews and other minorities to prevent them from being repeated. This space only opens from Thursday till Sunday, so plan your visit for one of those days if you really want to go there.
We will pass through this special square named after Chaim Azriel Weizmann, the first President of Israel. There you will also be able to see the school named after Anne Frank.
The Grande Templo Israelita Synagogue was one of the first synagogues in Rio. Completed in 1932 it boasts a grand archway topped by five smaller arches with beautiful mosaics that depict Jewish life
The Jewish Museum of Rio de Janeiro, founded in 1977, with the donation of a menorah, is a cultural center whose activities are structured around the binomial preservation of memory / dynamism of Jewish culture. It maintains permanent exhibitions on the history of the Jewish community in Rio de Janeiro and the traditions of Judaism in all its aspects - religious, cultural and historical - and holds exhibitions at its headquarters and other institutions, as well as promoting academic research on immigration and annual competitions for students.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup starts 30min before the tour, at 9:00am, and goes till 9:30am. Each hotel have a specific timing according to the it's location. Please contact us for the exact time. Important: for operational reasons our pickup happens only in selected hotels in Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema and Leblon.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Please dress appropriately
- Kosher lunch is available upon previous request
Reviews(38)
Our guide Ephraim was thoroughly knowledgeable about both historical and current Jewish affairs in Rio. He took us to places, including a fascinating little museum in a former law office, that we never would have found on our own. There was a great balance between leading us and letting us discover things on our own.
Very informative and easy to understand. Very easy pace. Explain Explained local and jewish history.
Ephraim was a very knowledgeable guide who took the time to take me to multiple landmarks scores the city! We were able to enter synagogues, kosher supermarkets, and community centers
Excellent tour guide Ephraim. Interesting and informative tour of Jewish history and life in brazil.
Guide took personal phone calls while touring us. Also delayed our tour by letting in a random visitor to the synagogue and kept us waiting.
Ephraim is amazing for anyone who is interested in exploring and learning about Jewish Rio. He knows the history of Rio's Jewish community first hand, and takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and personal experiences throughout the tour. Ephraim is kind, warm and personable, and our time spent with him was special, informative and inspiring. Don't miss out on booking a tour with Ephraim, it will no doubt be a highlight of your trip, as it was for us!
Ephraim is incredibly generous with his knowledge. He is also warm, enthusiastic, engaging, invested, personable, and a great storyteller. We were beyond pleased.
Very good tour and excellent guide. Interesting and enriching experience. Jewish synagogues, museums and community centers are visited. The friendly and very knowledgeable guide. Recommended!
A great straightforward 3 hour tour to the most important Jewish spots of Rio. The tour guide, Efraim, was wonderful. Friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging.
Efraim was a great tour guide. He included a comprehensive history of the Brazilian Jewish Community in his tour. We visited several synagogues, Kosher shop, JCC and Jewish museum. He and his driver were highly professional and enthusiastic.
