OUR BLOG
Georgian Jews: Part I, An Ancient Community
The term “Georgian Jews” designates Jewish people, also referred to as Gurjim or kartveli ebraelebi, who migrated to Georgia, located in the Caucasus. They comprise one of the oldest communities in the Georgian republic. Their history is one of both great strife and...
read moreGeorgia: Part II, A New Country
As we recently described [link to Part I], Georgian Jews have a long and storied history in the ancient republic. While their numbers have been reduced through emigration and aliyah, Georgian Jews who remain are part of a thriving community. Located between the...
read moreGeorgia: Part II, A New Country
As we recently described [link to Part I], Georgian Jews have a long and storied history in the ancient republic. While their numbers have been reduced through emigration and aliyah, Georgian Jews who remain are part of a thriving community. Located between the...
read moreThe Galápagos Islands: A Nature Lover’s Haven
If you like to appreciate wildlife in settings other than a zoo or typical nature preserve, experience the adventure of a lifetime in the Galápagos Islands. Famous as the place which inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, the island archipelago is...
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From Soviet Russia to Today Part 2 — Moving Forward
In Part I, the history of the refusenik movement in the Soviet Union was reviewed, and I shared my own experience in going underground in Soviet Russia to provide support to this growing Jewish movement. Since my visit, the landscape of Russian Jewry has changed...
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From Soviet Russia to Today: My Personal Experience Part 1 — A Historical Perspective
My married life began in a somewhat unusual way. During the very first month of our marriage, my wife and I were sent to the now former Soviet Union to try and bring some hope and courage to the “refuseniks” that were fighting for the dignity and freedom of their...
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For the Love of Umbrian Markets
If you are planning a trip to central Italy, one of the items on your itinerary should be a visit to some of the Umbrian markets that have become so much a part of life there. These open-air markets spring up on designated weekdays or weekends, and shoppers flock...
read moreFamous Peruvian Jews
It is difficult to find a pure descendant of the Peruvian Jewish community, and I can safely say that not more than 3,000 of them still remain in the Peruvian capital city of Lima. The Inquisition which gained momentum in the colonial days saw many Jews from Europe...
read moreFamous Indian Jews
Jews in India can be traced back to at least 2,000 years. Well, some believe they are the direct descendants of the 10 Lost Tribes that moved out of Israel around 720 BC. From what is evident now, I gather we can go by the number of native Jewish communities left in...
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