Jewish Bulgaria: A Virtual Sephardic Journey

Join the Baltimore Zionist District and tour guide Joseph Benatov for a dynamic interactive trip through Bulgaria’s rich Jewish heritage. Our virtual tour will make stops in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s largest cities, and will take us inside the sumptuous Neo-Moorish Sofia synagogue. Other highlights along the way include the medieval capital, the grand Rila Monastery, and the mountain town of Samokov, home to the affluent Arie dynasty. In addition, you will have a chance to learn about the history and culture of the Bulgarian Sephardic Jews. We will discuss the historical details surrounding the survival of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust. We will note some of the most prominent politicians, clergymen, and intellectuals who stood up for their Jewish neighbors. Our final destination will be Jaffa, Israel, where many Bulgarian Jews settled between 1948 and 1952. Joseph will also share with participants personal family stories of growing up in Bulgaria and being part of the country’s vibrant Jewish community.