Jewish Bulgaria:

A Virtual Sephardic Journey

Sunday, March 1

USA 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET

UK 8:00 pm / France 9:00 pm / Israel 10:00 pm

The talk will last approximately 90 minutes

About this talk

Join us for a dynamic, interactive journey through Bulgaria's rich Jewish heritage. This virtual tour explores the country's largest cities, Sofia and Plovdiv, including a visit inside the sumptuous Neo-Moorish Sofia Synagogue.

Along the way, we'll also discover the medieval capital, the majestic Rila Monastery, and the mountain town of Samokov, home to the affluent Arie dynasty. You'll learn about the history and culture of Bulgarian Sephardic Jews and explore the remarkable story of the survival of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust.

We'll highlight the prominent politicians, clergymen, and intellectuals who stood up for their Jewish neighbors, as well as the migration of Bulgarian Jews to Jaffa between 1948 and 1952, following the establishment of the State of Israel. Finally, Joseph will share personal family stories about growing up in Bulgaria and being part of the country's vibrant Jewish community.

About Joseph

Joseph Benatov holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also teaches Hebrew. Originally from Bulgaria, he is an active member of Sofia's Jewish community.

Joseph has over 15 years of experience leading travelers across the Balkans, including UNESCO representatives, 92nd Street Y visitors, JDC board members, and Anti-Defamation League officials. He lectures regularly on the history of Jewish life in Bulgaria and on Balkan Sephardic culture.

Each summer, Joseph leads specialized Sephardic heritage tours throughout the Balkans. You can find out more at https://sephardicbalkans.com/

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