Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- AMIA Jewish cultural center
- Synagogue Gran Templo Paso
- Synagogue Templo Libertad
Photos & Highlights
- Jewish Buenos Aires Tour led by a historian or expert local
- Gain a comprehensive introduction to the country's Jewish history
Tour Description
With over 180,000 Jews in Argentina, the largest population in Latin America, there is much to explore and discover for anyone interested in Jewish history. During this 3-hour Jewish Buenos Aires Tour, we will join a local historian to discover and document the living history of the city's Jewish population over the last 500 years.
The Foundation - Jewish Buenos Aires Tour
Jewish people were some of the first to settle in modern-day Argentina, fleeing the Inquisition in Spain from the 1500s onward. However, it wasn't until the country's independence in 1810 that an organized community formed. The community grew over the course of the century with the arrival of many Ashkenazi Jews leaving behind revolution and repression in various European countries and continued in the 20th century with the rise of Nazism. (For a broader look at immigration in Buenos Aires in general try our Buenos Aires History Tour.)
Our tour begins in the heart of the historic Jewish community of Once. In the 1920s and '30s, many Eastern European Jews settled in what became the city's garment district. Much of this bustling atmosphere still exists, even as many of the more prosperous Jews left for more affluent areas.
AMIA, a Key Site of Jewish Buenos Aires
We will spend some time discussing the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA), an important symbol of the Jewish community. Founded in 1894 to promote the well-being and development of Jewish life in Argentina, the building was the target of a terrorist attack on July 18, 1994, killing 85 people and injuring over 300. Since this tragic incident, the association has boldly increased its communication and outreach. From the outside of the building, we can learn about its history, see its impressive mural and learn about its valuable contributions that benefit all citizens of Buenos Aires.
Religious and Artistic Heritage
We'll work our way towards the nearby Gran Templo Paso. One of the oldest Conservative Synagogues in the area, it was established in 1930 on the site of the city's first Talmud Torah. We'll be granted an exclusive visit of the impressive interior decorated with lovely Ashkenazi iconography. From here we'll soak up the ambiance of the area, where we may admire the delicacies of a Jewish bakery, stop to meet some local shopkeepers, or learn about a historic Yiddish Theater.
Templo Libertad
Afterwards we'll travel down to Templo Libertad, located near the Teatro Colón (discussed on our Buenos Aires City Tour, covering BA's Belle Epoque architecture). Inaugurated in 1875 in the Byzantine style, it was the first synagogue in Buenos Aires. Time and reservations permitting, we'll be able to visit its Jewish Museum and the inside of the Temple.
Our tour will finish in the city's main square, la Plaza de Mayo, where we can see a plaque in honor of The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. A significant social movement defending human rights since the 1976-1983 dictatorship. We will learn how Jewish women played a crucial role in this movement, which has sought justice for the missing children of the era.
Our tour will finish in the city's main square, la Plaza de Mayo, where we can see a plaque in honor of The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. A significant social movement defending human rights since the 1976-1983 dictatorship. We will learn how Jewish women played a crucial role in this movement, which has sought justice for the missing children of the era.
Take Aways
Our visit will not only provide an excellent overview of Buenos Aires's Jewish history, but will add a special dimension and a unique window into this vibrant community through our insider access to sites usually closed to the public.
Note: The walk payment includes the taxi or metro fare between sites during your visit, however, it is customary at the Synagogues to offer an individual, per person donation (approximately $10 USD per synagogue).
FAQ
Are the interior of the synagogues visited?
Yes, as long as you've reserved in advance and for the morning both the Paso and Libertad synagogues will be included.
Does this tour include a visit inside AMIA?
Our regular tour does not include a visit of the interior of AMIA. The center requires a very thorough advance and on-site security check and a tour only led by their staff guides. The tour includes a lengthy video which, from our previous experience, clients have found less valuable than visiting other sites in the city with our guide.
Yes, as long as you've reserved in advance and for the morning both the Paso and Libertad synagogues will be included.
Does this tour include a visit inside AMIA?
Our regular tour does not include a visit of the interior of AMIA. The center requires a very thorough advance and on-site security check and a tour only led by their staff guides. The tour includes a lengthy video which, from our previous experience, clients have found less valuable than visiting other sites in the city with our guide.
Where You'll Start
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31 Reviews
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Gabriela was an excellent tour guide. Her knowledge of the Jewish history and sites of Buenos Aires was incomparable. Her warmth was appreciated. Additionally, she went above and beyond in creating a photograph slideshow of the tour by assembling pictures that she took during the tour. I will cherish that slideshow for years to come.
Corey
Dec 4, 2024
Gaby was a very personable guide. Warm and generous with her love of Buenos Aires. She shared so much to give us a deeper understanding of the city and its people. We enjoyed our time with her very much.
Deborah
Sep 27, 2024
Gabriela is a gifted story-teller. It's very important to have that in your mind when you are touring with her because - in truth - there is an incredible amount of Jewish life in Buenos Aires and never enough time to see it. What Gabriela does is feed you chunks of it that are spread out evenly throughout your tour, interspersing the history of the city's architecture/landmarks and the tales behind them along the way. The end result is a memorable film that replays in your head of the tragedy, whimsy, and vibrance of Jewish life (and life in general) in Argentina. And Gabriela, herself, is the perfect guide for folks like us: she has a bubbly personality keeps your spirits up while telling it all like it is, despite the caveats that she gives before taking a single step! All of this makes both she and the experience she gives you authentic. I wanted to mention the most memorable part of the tour: when she simply brought us into a local textile merchant's shop and introduced us to him. It's one thing to show someone a synagogue and explain how Jewish life began and spread, but it's another thing to take us to a kind, elderly Jewish man who told us where he came from (from his unrehearsed perspective) and what it was like for him to grow up here - telling us personal stories along the way. Because, even though we've always adapted to our environment and woven ourselves into the cultural fabric of whatever society we happen to be living in, when it comes to "Jewish life" it always boils down to the individuals - the separate threads - that make our cultural fabric even more special.
Evelyn
Aug 31, 2024
