Jewish Odessa Tour: From the City of Dreams to the Gates to Zion

Join the BZD and our guide Olga, owner, and Odessa Walks, for this tour to explore the phenomenon of Jewish Odessa. Founded in 1794 on the Black Sea coastline, which at that time belonged to the Russian Empire, Odessa became the third-largest Jewish city in the world in the early 1900s. So what attracted Jews from different parts of Eastern and Central Europe to this Black Sea city and port? Who were the early Jewish settlers? Why did Odessa become called the “star in exile” by a Russian Jew?

This virtual Jewish Odessa tour takes you to the Golden Age of Odessa’s Jewish community. You’ll discover how Odessa became a prominent political, cultural, and educational center for the Russian Empire Jews. Hear a presentation about the Jewish Enlightenment movement, known as the Haskalah, in Odessa. Then, walk in the footsteps of the early Zionists, including Haim Bialik, Ahad Ha’am, and Leo Pinsker. Next, marvel at the synagogue, once called the “Synagogue of Zionists,” and these days belongs to the Chabad Lubavitch.

Additionally, find out what made the Jewish intellectuals leave the city and move to Palestine at the dawn of the 20th century. Finally, explore Odessa as the prominent Jewish revolutionary Ze’ev Jabotinsky described it in his novel The Five. Following the virtual tour, Olga will be excited to answer your questions about Odessa’s past and present.