Crossroads of Civilization: Sofia, Bulgaria
Bulgaria sits at the crossroads of East & West. At various times in its history, Bulgaria has been part of the Roman and Ottoman Empires, as well as experiencing several periods of independent rule. In this respect, Bulgaria bears striking similarities to the Jewish people and the Jewish state.
Now ... Forget everything you think you know about the Jewish Diaspora community in Bulgaria!
The first thing anyone should know about Bulgaria’s Jewish history is that, while allied with Nazi Germany during World War II, the Bulgarian people and the Bulgarian Orthodox church took to the streets to protest and block a deportation order that surely would have decimated the Bulgarian Jewish community! Spared the fate of Jews throughout Nazi conquered and Allied lands, Bulgaria emerged from the Second World War with an intact population of 50,000 people![1]
Having historical links to the Greco-Mediterranean (Romaniote) Jewish community from antiquity, the Sephardic Jewish community following the Inquisition, modern influxes of Ashkenazi Jews from Central and Eastern Europe, and the recent addition of numerous Israeli ex-pats and their families, the small Bulgarian Diaspora community is vibrant, diverse, and thriving!
In Sofia, Discoverers from North America, Israel, and Bulgaria will join together to learn about this incredible history, and the land and the people of Bulgaria. Program highlights will include a visit to the Square of Tolerance, where the Sofia Synagogue shares a place of prominence with the Eastern Orthodox Saint Nedelya Church, the Banya Bashi Mosque, and the Saint Joseph Catholic Cathedral. Discoverers will also have the opportunity to share time with the students at the Ronald S. Lauder Jewish School teaching and learning about Judaism and Israel with this next generation of the Bulgarian Diaspora community. A community Shabbat service and dinner will feature the important role each Discoverer plays by their participation in Building Bonds of Global Judaism. Other activities will include a tour of the archeological complex of the Serdika II subway station, one of the few metro systems in the world built around a sprawling Roman-era archeological treasure! Discoverers will also be treated to a walking tour of the NuBoyana film studios, an Israeli-American production site with sets depicting ancient Rome, New York City, and London streetscapes, and all the wonder of Hollywood magic! Of course, no trip to Bulgaria would be complete without a visit to the spectacular nature found throughout the country.
Saint Joseph Catholic Cathedral
Banya Bashi Mosque
Sofia Synagogue
