This two-session preview of Congregation Beth Am’s tour to Spain and Israel will devote one session to each country. In the first session, we’ll explore the Jewish journey through Spain’s history, from the earliest known Jewish settlers in Roman Spain to the re-emerging Jewish presence and cultural rediscovery flowering in Spain today. Our focus will be medieval communities and characters of the land: Girona, Nachmanides and the emergence of the Zohar and Jewish mysticism; Cordoba of ibn Shaprut, and the young Maimonides; Granada of Shmuel HaNagid.

Our second session will take you through the history of modern Israel, touching on many of the sites you’ll be visiting. Since your time in Jerusalem will include a tour of the Old City, we’ll also introduce some of the ancient sites you’ll discover there.

For tour participants, this program includes a CD-ROM course for Spain and Israel that expands on topics covered in our class sessions. The class is also open to students not part of the tour, at a nominal cost.