During the excursion, we will visit neighborhoods inhabited exclusively by religious Jewish communities belonging to various ultra-Orthodox movements within Judaism. We will become acquainted with the foundations of Judaism, unique religious rituals, educational systems, and the rules of traditional family life.
Guests will learn about the meaning of Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath), how Jewish holidays are celebrated, and the important role the synagogue plays in the daily life of the community.
We will also explore the differences between various religious groups, learning how to distinguish them by their appearance, clothing, and customs. Along the way, we will discover traditional Jewish music and sample dishes from the classic Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine of Eastern Europe, which strongly influenced the character of these neighborhoods.
Welcoming Shabbat in a Religious Jewish Family
Guests who wish may experience a traditional Shabbat evening hosted by a welcoming religious family.
Shabbat — the Jewish Sabbath — is the sacred day of rest in Israel. Like all Jewish holidays, Shabbat begins at sunset on the evening before and ends after sunset the following day. Therefore, Shabbat starts on Friday evening and continues until Saturday night.
During this time, banks, shops, public institutions, and most restaurants are closed, and public transportation generally does not operate.
Visitors are welcomed into a family home for a festive Sabbath meal conducted according to traditional Jewish customs and religious rituals. The evening begins with the lighting of Shabbat candles and the recitation of blessings. Traditional Sabbath dishes are then served, including challah — the special braided Shabbat bread — together with wine for the Kiddush blessing, as the family celebrates the arrival of the “Queen Sabbath.”
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours.
Introduction to Jewish Calligraphy
Avraham Borshevsky is a master artist-calligrapher, internationally recognized for his expertise in traditional Jewish sacred calligraphy and Hebrew religious texts.
For those interested in exploring Jewish calligraphy more deeply, Avraham Borshevsky conducts workshops in his studio. These fascinating sessions include discussions about religion, Jewish history, Kabbalah, alphabets, traditions, and the art of Hebrew calligraphy itself. Participants can observe authentic parchment manuscripts, traditional quills, and demonstrations of ancient calligraphic techniques.
For Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, a particularly meaningful gift is a personalized Torah passage selected according to the participant’s birth date. This custom-made parchment talisman includes an individual Torah excerpt together with the biblical Aaronic Blessing.
Duration: approximately 1.5–2 hours.
