The Tour - Alsace’s Jewish Heritage

Delightful scenery and architecture plus centuries of Jewish history make a winning combination for a tour and holiday to remember. Alsace is, perhaps, one of the most attractive and least visited holiday regions of France. Ancient towns in pink stone and half-timber give a fairy tale quality. Its historical allegiances have switched between France and Germany many times, giving us today a winning formula of charm and efficiency. Alsace’s Jewish heritage comes alive through our visits and talks. The tour is based in historical Strasbourg close to the Jewish Quarter and short walking distance from the Synagogue de la Paix.

Tour highlights:

The Jews are an international people. So where better to live than in Strasbourg, the capital of the European Union? According to Benjamin of Tudela, the 12 th century Sephardi traveller, Jews have lived here since 1170 CE . The Jewish community with a population of more than 15,000 has its own radio station broadcasting from a studio in the Synagogue del la Paix. The scene is set with a canal cruise spreading before you a diversity of architecture, unfolding the city’s many cultures – especially the treasure trove of Jewish history. The Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame chronicles the arts in Strasbourg and the Upper Rhine between the 11 th & 17 th centuries. Life of the Alsatian Jewish community in the 19 th century is depicted in the Musée Alsacien. Items have been donated by the History Society of the Israelites of Alsace and Lorraine since 1907 CE . Following a guided tour of the Synagogue de la Paix we enjoy kiddush with members of the community and a Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Colmar Synagogue.

Colmar is the finest of old Alsatian towns. Miles of waterways; another Little Venice, which time and weather permitting, we will explore by boat. The Jewish Community Centre, of which the neo-Romanesque style Colmar Synagogue is the focal point, has a school, kitchens, restaurant, a kosher shop and butcher. Rabbi Dreyfus, the Chief Rabbi, will meet us (subject to his availability) and show us around the synagogue.

Musée Bartholdi - parochet and menorah from Bergheim Synagogue

Our walking tour of the city includes Musée Bartholdi, originally the house where sculptor Auguste Bartholdi (creator of the Statue of Liberty) was born. The museum, which commemorates his life and work, houses the Katz Room, a collection of artefacts and works brought together by the Historical and Contemporary Jewish Art Fund.

Seder table - Musée Judéo-Alscien, Bouxwiller

The old synagogue in Bouxwiller is now the Musée Judéo-Alsacien. Saved from demolition by locally born architect, M. Weil, this is more of a themed journey than a museum. Delight in the miniature figures, commissioned by M. Weil from an Israeli artisan in the old city of Jaffa.

The ark at Pfaffenhoffen Synagogue

Pfaffenhoffen Synagogue is now a heritage centre, carefully restored by a few hard working local non-Jewish volunteers with a love of their community’s heritage. See the prayer room, kitchen with a matzah oven, mikveh and the schnorrer’s room as it was two centuries ago. Wintzenheim Synagogue, probably the oldest in Alsace, is now rarely used for services. This magnificent building was constructed in 1748 CE . Wintzenheim was the original seat of the Chief Rabbinate for Central and Southern Alsace until it moved to Colmar in the 19 th century.

L’chaim! We tour Sigolsheim vineyard and enjoy a kosher wine tasting. This modern working co-operative within sight of the Black Forest has a separate section under the supervision of the Grand Rabbinate of Strasbourg. There are no sweet kiddush wines here but kosher versions of the local vintage. Overlooking the vineyards is a military cemetery with Jewish, North African Muslim and Christian graves.

In a Middle Ages chateau set in a delightful park in Soultz is the Musée du Bucheneck [closed Nov-Apr inclusive]. The Moise Ginsberger Room in this local history, arts and crafts museum depicts local Jewish history. A 16th century timber-framed building in Marmoutier, which has an 18th century mikveh, houses the Musée d’Arts et Traditions Populaires de Marmoutier [closed Nov/Apr inclusive]. There, a room devoted to rural Alsatian Judaism has a collection of religious objects from the home and synagogue. In a celebration of Jewish history the redundant Hochfelden Synagogue was restored and is now the Museum of Hochfelden and Environs (Musée du Pays de Hochfelden). There has been a Jewish community in Hochfelden since the 15 th century although few Jewish families live there today. The Musée Historique, which recounts the history of Haguenau between the 12 th and 19 th centuries, has a collection of Jewish art. Our journey continues through the Potter’s villages in north Hagenau with a stop at the picturesque village of Soufflenheim.

A private viewing of the synagogue, cemetery and the renowned Humanist Library of Sélestat has been specially arranged. The oldest public library in Alsace, founded 1445 CE, is a veritable history of printing; in the collection is a 13 th century Latin bible, an illustrated parchment manuscript of the Book of Job and a selection of Hebrew manuscripts.

Obernai at night

The tour ends in Obernai, which was spared much of WW2 destruction. This microcosm of Alsace history and architecture is a delightful location to relax before returning home.

The tour price includes:

Flights: (example price is based on scheduled service flights between London and Strasbourg).

Hotel: Five nights at the four-star Hilton or Holiday Inn (See note below regarding three-star accommodation).

Meals: All kosher cuisine. Buffet breakfasts; 3 kosher pack lunches; kosher lunch in the Colmar synagogue restaurant; I buffet lunch and 3 dinners; Welcome Reception (See note below for vegetarian meals or groups not requiring kosher food).

Also included: English speaking local tour manager and guides; guest speaker; transfers; private coach; entrances; taxes.

Not included: travel insurance; meals not listed above; personal expenses in hotels, cafes, etc.

Example price: (based on low season – minimum 30 persons)

HILTON             £1095 (single supplement £215)
                      €1588 (single supplement €312)

HOLIDAY INN     £1025 (single supplement £175)
                      €1486 (single supplement €254)

Alternative meals and hotel: non-kosher or vegetarian meals can be provided at the Hilton or Holiday Inn. Alternative hotels in Strasbourg may be used for groups not requiring kosher cuisine – details on request.

This tour, from the UK, is operated on our behalf by Regent Holidays and is fully bonded. (For information about tour operators and bonding click on About Us and Frequently Asked Questions)