Ḥasidism is a religious movement which was born in the eighteenth century in territory of modern Ukraine, and which won over nearly half of the Jewish masses. In its literal meaning the word “Ḥasidism” is identical with “pietism” (“Ḥasid” – “the pious”), and the Ḥasidic teachings resemble the synonymous Protestant teachings in so far as they both assign the first place in religion not to religious dogma and ritual, but to the sentiment and the emotion of faith. Tzaddiq is a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. In Hasidic Judaism, the institution of the Tzaddiq assumed central importance, combining former elite mysticism with social movement for the first time.
Join our 8 days Grand Tour to learn more about Jewish heritage and roots of Hasidism in Ukraine as well visit the places where great Tzaddiqs lived and buried.
Intl. Airport Boryspil (KBP) (Google Map) | Intl. Airport Kyiv (IEV) (Google Map) | Kyiv Railway Station (Google Map)
Every Monday
Arriving to Boryspil (KBP) or Zhuliany (IEV) airport, meet/greet at the airport, transfer and check-in at hotel, freshen up.
After Kosher lunch Kyiv Jewish Heritage tour: Visit to Podil, the oldest Jewish district of Kyiv, Synagogue of the Kyiv Judaic Religous Community, former houses of worship and Talmud-Torah (2 h). Visit to the Holocaust Memorial in Babyn Yar (2 h).
Free time, overnight in Kyiv
Breakfast at hotel.
Kyiv Jewish Heritage tour (continue) with a Kosher lunch: Visit to the Karaite kenassa (now the House of Actors), Sholom Alikhem’s Museum, Monument to Sholom Aleikhem, Brodsky Synagogue (3 h). Lunch. Visit to the aristocratic district Lypky to see Jewish houses of sugar king Liberman, patrons Poliakov and Brodsky, builder Ginzburg (1 h).
Free time, overnight in Kyiv
Breakfast at hotel. Check-out. Trip to Berdychiv to visit unique Jewish cemetery and the ohel of Rabbi Levi-Yitzchak. After lunch-box en route to Medzhybizh. Praying at the grave of Baal Shem Tov (BESHT), father of Hassidism. Dinner at the Kosher dining hall. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Medzhybizh.
Breakfast at hotel. Check-out. Tour to Uman’ (09:00) to visit a Rabbi Nachman’s grave, praying and to put a note asking for the Holy Tzadik. Lunch. Visit to Sofiyvka Park, the pearl of Ukrainian park architecture. Transfer to Man’kivka and check-in at hotel. Dinner-box, overnight in Man’kivka
Transfer to Kyiv. Check-in. Free time. Transfer to the Kyiv Brodsky or Podil synagogue and preparing for Shabbat. Dinner at the synagogue. Kabbalat Shabbat. Return to hotel by feet, overnight in Kyiv
Shabbat activities at the synagogue. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the synagogue. Havdalah. Transfer to hotel, overnight in Kyiv
Breakfast at hotel. Tour to Chernobyl to visit a Rabbi Twersky’s grave, praying and to put a note asking for the Holy Tzadik. Lunch. Visit to the Chernobyl Nuclear Station Zone. Lunch-box, return to Kyiv, dinner, overnight in Kyiv
Arrive to Kyiv (06:40).
Kyiv City tour with breakfast: Khreschatyk, Volodymyrska str., Golden Gate, St. Sophia Catheral, St. Mykhaylo Cathedral, Andrew’s Descent, Parliament, Mariinsky Park
Transfer to the Boryspil Intl. Airport (KBP) or Zhuliany Intl. Airport (IEV). Departure
