Revisiting Jewish heritage in Spain
and the memory of Sepharad
in Catalonia
During the Middle
Ages Jewish life flourished in Sepharad as perhaps nowhere else. Jews
were totally integrated, in the Call of Barcelona or the juderias
of Cordoba and Toledo; in the cabalistic circles of Gerona or as advisors
and physicians to kings.
With the edict
of expulsion of 1492, Jews were faced with
a stark choice: leave or convert to Catholicism. Some of these conversos
continued to practice their tradition in hiding. Although most of the
Jewish legacy was lost, one can revisit the rich culture and history while
walking the streets where Jews once lived.
Once again,
Jewish life blooms in Barcelona, Valencia
or Madrid, with celebrations of Bar and Bat mitzvah, Shabbat and the High
Holidays, Klezmer dancing or Ladino music, Hebrew study and new works
of art.
Since 1997 Urban
Cultours organizes Jewish tours in Barcelona as well
as programs focused on past and present Jewish life and helps plan events
with a Jewish accent for visitors from all over the world.
Urban Cultours
project wants to add to the many initiatives that enrichen
our culture and tradition, contributing with the
continuity, development and promotion of Jewish
identity.
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