Liliana, a Lisbon native, loves sharing the amazing story of Portugal with its rich fusion of different beliefs and traditions. Portuguese Jews were the advisors and doctors of our kings and even some of the explorers, cartographers, and mathematicians that transformed Portugal into the wealthiest nation in the world in the 16th century. The community is presently very active, even making a Portuguese film that was released last year called “Sefarad.” You will love walking the streets with Liliana on this live walking tour!

Come and discover the most beautiful corners and the most illustrious characters of what was the most extensive Jewish quarter of the Iberian Peninsula. Rabbi Haim Casas, the first progressive rabbi born and raised in Spain, will take us on a live walking tour of Sevilla. In 1478 the Spanish Inquisition began its work in this city. The life of the city and its inhabitants changed forever, never to be the same again. The current Jewish community of Sevilla dates from the end of the 19th century and is one of the oldest in Spain after the expulsion.

Cohabitation, coexistence, convenience. We will talk about how these three words summarize the life of Girona’s Jewish community in its situation of social minority. How was their daily life? What was their cultural, political and religious life like day-to-day? How was their relationship with the Christian society, among others? Together, we will seek answers and ask ourselves new questions about Girona, city mother of Israel. Join guide Marc as we discover the Museum of Jewish History and the Jewish quarter of Girona, together.

My name is Naftali Aklum and I was born in Ethiopia in 1979. The following year, in 1980, my parents and I were among the first groups to make Aliya to Israel via Sudan in what later became known as “Operation Moses.” I was raised and educated in Beersheba. In the army I served as a firefighter. I recently have developed an interesting educational experience for those curious about the history, culture and traditions of Ethiopian Jewry. My objective is to enable the Ethiopian community in the Negev and in Israel in general, to share its unique narrative and cultural treasures with others. I also was asked to be a consultant for the Hollywood movie “The Red Sea Diving Resort” that sold to Netflix.

Craig Nudelman is originally from Johannesburg, but after meeting his now wife at Limmud in the UK in 2011, he followed her to Cape Town, where he’s been living for 8 years. The Cape Town Jewish community has been thriving since 1841, when the community was formed on Erev Yom Kippur. Jews have always been part of the activist community in South Africa. From the beginning of Communism in the early 20th century to being major players in the struggle against apartheid, and being social entrepreneurs for social justice for all peoples in South Africa. See you in April!

Sarah Nabagala is originally from the Abayudaya community in Uganda but is presently living in Israel where she is doing a Master of Educational Leadership and Arts in Jewish Learning at Hebrew Union College. The Abayudaya community was founded 100 years ago by a tribal chief who, together with many of his followers adopted Judaism in 1919. Currently, there are nine synagogues in different Ugandan villages and three Jewish schools. One of the unique things about the community is how the Abayudaya are mostly subsistence farmers & have maintained their Jewish identity among their Muslim and Christian neighbors. She will also tell us about the diverse cultures and languages within the community, and the intersection of Jewish and Ugandan traditions, community formal and Jewish education, and her personal journey and experiences living in Israel.