About this talk

Join us for a virtual journey through Sarajevo and Bosnia. The city's rich Jewish heritage earned it the nickname "Little Jerusalem" ("Chiko Yerushalayim" in Ladino).

We'll explore notable moments and personalities from Bosnia's Sephardic and Ashkenazi past. How did the famous Sarajevo Haggadah survive both the Nazi occupation and the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s? Who were the courageous Bosnian Muslims who protected their Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust? Why was Freud fascinated by the town of Trebinje in Herzegovina?

You'll also learn about the most significant 19th-century event in Bosnian Jewish history, known as the Sarajevo Purim.

Beyond Sarajevo, we'll stop in picturesque Mostar, famous for its iconic Ottoman bridge spanning the Neretva River. We'll also visit the most important pilgrimage site for Bosnia's Jews—the resting place of Rabbi Moshe Danon.

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/