Newsletter
August 01, 2005
The 6th edition of the European Day of Jewish Culture gathers old knowledge and flavours together around the table and the traditional customs of Jewish cooking, and in Spain very especially around Sephardic cooking. Today we receive them as a magnificent merger between Spanish traditional cooking and the own traditions of cultures that we share in medieval period. This year we present and we will taste a novelty, the Sephardic sweet of walnuts, oranges and spices, winning of the confectionery conquest organised by the Network of Jewish Cities, and whose creators have been Mr. Luís Salas and Mr. Bernardo Jurado, from 'El Paraíso' in Jaén. We want to make a special mention on the finalist sweet, named Estrellitas, created by Mr. José Manuel González of the city of Toledo. Such as in former editions, this initiative is added to the multiple events and activities that will develop in all Europe next Sunday September 4th. This year, the Jewish recipe's competition only for amateur cooks is the novelty, with final deadline on September 4th. The bases and the entry form can be found in the web site below. For this day, 23 Spanish cities have prepared more than 100 activities, that we wait and we want you share them with us. They complement more than 500 activities that will be celebrated in 26 European countries, with the firm conviction that respect for diversity and knowledge can fight the intolerance and the prejudices. Detailed information: www.jewisheritage.org.
What's New
THE PARTNERS OF THE SPANISH NETWORK OF JEWISH CITIES
Activities within the European Day of Jewish Culture (EDJC)
Ávila
The Tourism department of the Avila City Council organises the 9th Avila Medieval Days: The market of the three cultures. There are concerts of Sephardic music, such as Grupo Zohar (August 31st) and Aljama (September 1st), at 9 p.m. in Episcopio Square. The Medieval Days are performed in the squares of the historical city centre from September 2nd to 4th, from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Barcelona
The main Jewish communities in the city (ATID Jewish Community of Catalonia and Barcelona Israelite Community) collaborate together with the City Council in several activities. The dialogue 'Kashrut and Eco-Kashrut: a diet for the spirit and the environment', by Rabbi G. Mazer (ATID Community) and Mrs. M. T. Massons (Israelite Community), will be at 10.30 a.m., in the Barcelona City Council (limited seats). At noon, in the same place, there are tales for any ages, the 'Sweet and salty tales' by Mrs. Catherine Favret. A kosher appetiser is served at 1.15 p.m.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Dominique Tomasov (Urban Cultours) leads a tour-performance for families with children 'Un Tomb pel Call' (a tour throughout the Jewish quarter), at 5.30 p.m. It is free of charge, but registration is required (e-mail application to: info@urbancultours.com). At 7.30 p.m. the group Mashala! offers the concert of Sephardic music 'Gastronomy: origin, love and devotion'.
From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Caj Chai restaurant (12, Sant Domenec del Call Street) offers Sephardic appetisers with borekas, hojaldres and Rodes little cakes, by Mrs. Janet Amateau. There, at the same time, some books, artscraft and food will be on sale.
Finally, like in the past editions of the EDJC, the National Arts Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), celebrates an open doors day, from 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Caceres
The Tourism Department of the Caceres City Council organises four activities within the EDJC: from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., an open doors day to the house Palacio de la Isla (Juderia Nueva quarter); at 11 a.m., guided tours through the Juderia Vieja quarter (meeting point at the main entry of the City Council, Plaza Mayor); from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., street show through the Juderia Vieja (San Antonio) quarter; and finally, the gastronomic tasting will be served at 2 p.m. in the Olive grove of the Jewish Quarter.
Cordoba
The Tourism and Heritage Department of the City Council organises a large number of events. The exhibition 'Maimonides and his time' opens on Friday 2nd September, at 9 p.m., in Biblioteca Viva de Al Andalus (Bailio Palace). It has the support of the Federation of the Israelite Communities of Spain, Jewish Community of Madrid, Barcelona Israelite Community, Mr. Uriel Macias, and the Nahmanides Institute for Jewish Studies. During September and October, in Palacio de Orive, there is the photographic exhibition 'Caminos de Sefarad'. The Sephardic Zoco has the collaboration of Historic City Centre Traders Association, from Friday to Sunday, in shops of the Jewish quarter. From 9 p.m., from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th, it is possible eating in several restaurants and pubs of the Jewish quarter within a Sephardic gastronomic route, that has the support of Hostecor (the Hotel Association of Cordoba). Registration is required up to Friday September 2nd (phone +34 957 200 522; fax +34 957 200 277; e-mail: turismo@ayuncordoba.es) for the next three activities: The Guided tours to the Jewish Quarter and the synagogue are at 10 a.m. (meeting point at 1, Caballerizas Reales St.). At 11 a.m., the Quick course of Sephardic cooking, with the support of the Hotel School of Cordoba and, at 1 p.m., the Sephardic gastronomic tasting, that has the support of the Tourism School of Cordoba, the Hotel Association of Cordoba, and Serrano's confectionery, both are at Caballerizas Reales (Royal Stables).
The Tourism Consortium organises the Walks through Cordoba (meeting point at Plaza de las Tendillas), from Friday to Sunday, at 9.30 p.m. You must register at hotels or Consortium's Information Points (phone +34 902 201 774; www.turismodecordoba.org).
There are open doors to the Cordoba Synagogue (from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.) and to the Archaeological Museum of Cordoba (from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.), both organised by the Culture Department of the County Government, with the support of the City Council's Tourism and Heritage Department.
Girona
All activities in this city are organised by the 'Call de Girona' Board, with the support of the Girona City Council, in the Bonastruc ça Porta Centre (8, Força Street). The breakfast and tasting of the Sephardic Sweet, which has won the gastronomic competition of the Network, is at noon in the patio (Fee: 6 euros). Registration is required (phone +34 972 216 761). The group Massada, offers there a concert of Sephardic music at 10 p.m. (limited seats). There are open doors to the Library Eliezer Eljanan Schalit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and to the Museum of History of the Jewish People from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There you can see the temporary exhibition 'Symbolic Architectures: Doors of Sepharad'. To see the permanent exhibition rooms, there are guided tours 'Call indoors', at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. The tour-performance 'The doors of remembrance' goes to private houses of the Jewish Quarter only on Saturday 3rd at 6 p.m. (Catalan) and at 8 p.m. (Spanish). Registration is required (phone +34 972 216 761; www.ajuntament.gi/call/eng/visita.php).
Hervas
The departure of the guided tour to the Jewish quarter (with the collaboration of the Tourism Office) is at 11.30 a.m., at the Tourism Office. The tasting of Sephardic food is at 1 p.m., in the Hervas City Council, with the support of the restaurants of Hervas. Both activities are organised by the Department of Culture of the City Council.
Jaen
The Jaen's traditional breakfast of Sephardic origin, organised by Iuventa Association is programmed at 10.15 a.m., in the Patio of the Palace Condestable Iranzo (18 Maestra Street), with the support of the Board of Culture, Tourism and Festivities of the City Council. Despite is free of charge, registration is required (phone +34 637 966 348).
The Board of Culture, Tourism and Festivities of the City Council organises the other programmed activities: The guided tour 'The Jewish history of the cathedral's neighbourhood' begins at 11 a.m., in Santa Maria Square. Casa Almansa Cultural Centre displays the exhibition 'Sepharad's traces', opening on Monday 5th September at 8 p.m. In the same place, Prof. Emilio Luis Lara Lopez reads the lecture The Jews on the gothic frieze of Jaen's cathedral, Friday 2nd September at 8.30 p.m.
Leon
The Department of Heritage of the City Council organises two concerts at 9 p.m. in the Palacio de los Guzmanes: Trio Sefarad (1st September) and Rosa Zaragoza (2nd September). From 1st to 11th September, in Formela Restaurant and Gemina Restaurant, the Days of Jewish cookery have the support of Quindos Hotel and Tryp Leon Hotel. Registration is required for guided tours: September 3rd at 11 a.m., the guided tour to Castro de los Judios (Puente Castro quarter) has the collaboration of the University of Leon. Next day at noon, the guided tour to the Jewish quarter (meeting point at the City Council, San Marcelo Square) has the support of A.L.E.F.H. Association.
Oviedo
At noon, in the Synagogue (Fontan Square) there is an open doors day with tasting of Sephardic food organised by the Department of Tourism of the City Council, with the support of the Asturias Israelite Community. Registration is required at Tourism Office of Oviedo (phone +34 985 227 586).
Palma de Mallorca
Different institutions organise activities with the support of the Palma de Mallorca City Council. The Mallorca Israelite Community has programmed open doors and a guided tour to the synagogue (3, Monsenyor Palmer Street), from 10 a.m. to noon. The Institute of Cultural Relations Israel-Baleares organises the lecture 'The taste of Sepharad', with Joseph M. Solias and Juana M. Huelamo (Kuanum), at 7 p.m. in the Xesc Forteza Theatre (Miguel Maura Square). Outdoors, in the square, Arca – Llegat Jueu (Jewish Heritage) organises a market of books, craftsmanship and gastronomy, related to Jewish culture, from 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., and a concert by the Lekhaim Klezzinger Band in the Xesc Forteza Theatre at 9.30 p.m. The guided tour to the medieval Jewish quarter (Call) is organised by INESTUR (Balear Government): at 10 a.m. in Spanish and English; at 11.45 a.m. in Spanish and German; at 5 p.m. in Catalan and English; at 6.45 p.m. in Spanish and German. Registration is required in advance (phone +34 636 430 000). The meeting point is at Miguel Maura Square, opposite to the theatre.
Ribadavia
The City Council organises the guided tour 'Getting to know the Jewish quarter' (meeting point at the Tourism Office of Ribadavia): at 11 a.m. and noon in English and German; at noon and 1 p.m. in Spanish; at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. in English and German; at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Galician. Registration is not required. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Madanela Square, there is a market of traditional and Jewish pastries, with the support of the confectioners of Ribadavia and Festa da Istoria Foundation. The Jewish Museum of Galicia displays open doors from 10.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Inside there is the temporary exhibition 'The secret of the books', with the support of the Girona Historic Archives.
Segovia
The Segovia City Council organises four activities with the support of the Tourism and Quality Management of the City of Segovia. The guided tours to the Jewish quarter leave at 10.30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Also, they offer a tour-performance to the Jewish quarter, on Saturday September 3rd, at 7.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Both tours are free of charge, but registration is required at the Tourism Reception Centre (1 Azoguejo Square; phone +34 921 466 720). The Concert of Sephardic Music is at 8 p.m. in the Patio of Abraham Senneor House (12, Juderia Vieja Street). Several restaurants of Segovia (La Juderia, El Figon Sefardi, Divino, Casares, La Concepcion, Duque, La Floresta, Candido, Jose Maria and Narizotas) prepare Sephardic gastronomic specialities from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th. The Tourism Reception Centre has further details on menus and prices.
Toledo
The Tourism Town Board of Toledo organises guided tours to the Jewish quarter, all day long. At Santa Maria la Blanca synagogue there is a concert of Sephardic music at 7.30 p.m., with the collaboration of the Diocesan Archbishopric of Toledo. The tours and the concert are free of charge, but registration is required (phone +34 925 254 030; fax +34 925 255 946; e-mail: infoturismo@ayto-toledo.org or turismo@ayto-toledo.org). From 10.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. the two main medieval synagogues have open doors: Santa Maria la Blanca (with the support of the Diocesan Archbishopric of Toledo) and the Transito synagogue, the Sephardic Museum. In the traditional restaurants of the Toledo Jewish quarter there are meals of Sephardic cooking (with the support of the Association of Restaurants' Enterprisers of Toledo).
Tortosa
At 6 p.m., in Immaculada Square (Remolins area), there is a tour-performance to the Jewish quarter and tasting of Sephardic cooking, organised by the Department of Culture of the City Council, with the collaboration of the restaurant La Torreta de Remolins.
Tudela
On Saturday 3rd September, at 9 p.m., in the Old Jewish quarter, the Tudela City Council organises a concert of Sephardic music, with the support of the Museum of Tudela and Castel Ruiz Cultural Centre. Next day there is a tour-performance to the Tudela Jewish quarters, at 11 a.m. (meeting point at the Tourism Office). Despite is free of charge, registration is required 15 minutes before the start. The tasting of Sephardic goods is at 1 p.m., in the Portico de San Anton (Yehuda ha Levi Square). These two activities are organised by the Tudela City Council and Castel Ruiz Cultural Centre, with the support of the Muñoz Sola Museum.
ACTIVITIES IN THE ASSOCIATED TOWNS
6th European Day of Jewish Culture: Jewish Cooking in Heritage
Besalu
The Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th, the Besalu City Council organises the Besalu Medieval weekend. There are guided tours to the Jewish quarter, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. (meeting point at the Tourism Office, 1, Llibertat Square). Registration is required (phone +34 972 591 240). Fee: 3,50 euros (Besalu Medieval ticket, valid for two days).
Calahorra
Organised by the Calahorra City Council, with the support of the Volunteers' Town Brigade, there are guided tours to the Jewish quarter, at noon and at 5 p.m. (meeting point at Rasillo de San Francisco, opposite the church). They are free of charge, registration is not required.
Estella-Lizarra
The City Council organises the theatre play of a Sephardic weeding, at noon, in San Martin Square.
Plasencia
The Tourism Department of the City Council, with the support of the Plasencia Parador, and the Falco family, organises a tour through the Jewish quarter, at 8 p.m. (meeting point at the Town Tourism Office, Las Claras Cultural Centre)
Tarazona
There are guided tours to the Jewish quarter at noon and 7 p.m. (meeting point at the Town Tourism Office) and there are open doors to the Moshe de Portella Multimedia Center, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both activities are organised by the Tarazona City Council and registration is not required.
SPANISH COLLABORATIONS
6th European Day of Jewish Culture: Jewish Cooking in Heritage
Castello d'Empuries
The Tourism Office of the City Council, with the support of Comtat d'Empuries Association, the local parish, and Teixidor i Palau Family, organises a lecture at 11 a.m., a guided tour at 5 p.m., a concert at 6.30 p.m. and a 'kosher stile' tasting at 7 p.m. All these activities are free of charge, but registration is required at the Tourism Offices.
Madrid
The Jewish Community of Madrid organises a Guided tour to the synagogue, followed by a lecture about Jewish life in Madrid, at 6.30 p.m. (3, Balmes Street). Entrance is free of charge, but registration is required (phone +34 915 913 131).
Valencia
There are two different activities organised by the Conservative/Masorti Synagogue 'La Javura': a Guided tour to the Medieval Jewish quarter, at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (meeting point at Pinazos Square) and a demonstration of the preparation, and tasting of Jewish sweets, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. They are free of charge, but registration is required (phone +34 963 802 129 and 963 806 970).
Network of Spanish Jewish Quarters is a non profit public association with the goal of protect urbanistic, architectonical, historical, artistic and cultural Sephardic Heritage in Spain.
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