Returning to Porto on our Jewish Heritage Tours

Mar 28, 2022 | Blog, Jewish History

Our Jewish travels along the Douro eventually returned to Porto, where we began our expedition. As we have said before, Porto is a place brimming with Jewish heritage, a Sephardic legacy that persisted in the face of tribulation and forced conversion. The port city is a wonderful place of tall buildings and corridor-like streets, where each turn of the corner feels like a step further into the past.

Of Sycamores and Aron Kodesh

As shown in Dr. Henry Abramson’s video, there is a major square in Porto full of sycamores. These trees are beautiful, but the ones in the square are sickly. The square is the site of Porto’s only 2 auto-da-fes (Inquisitorial punishments/executions) against Jews, and the sickliness of the sycamores seems to reflect the stain of such an act in an otherwise peaceable locale. Despite the forced conversions, many historic Porto Jews continued to practice their faith in secret, as evident by the Aron Kodesh alcove in a former house of prayer turned retirement home. We couldn’t visit the location on our current expedition, but photos of our previous visit can still be seen online.

The Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue

Near the end of our Porto tour, we visited the wonderful Kadoorie Synagogue, the largest synagogue in all of Iberia. Founded in the 1920’s and funded by the Kadoorie family, along with several other generous Jewish patrons of that time, the Synagogue was a place where Crypto-Jews could congregate and reconnect with their heritage. Nowadays, it supports a diverse community and has been greatly improved and renovated since its inception, almost a hundred years ago. Jewish heritage tours through Porto are enriched by a visit to the Kadoorie Synagogue.

 

Related Articles

Cambodian Lok Lak

Cambodian Lok Lak

Another recipe from our recent great cruise on the Mekong. The next cruise on this beautiful river will be in 2027. Full booking details will be made available shortly. As we were fully booked 6 months before our latest cruise, make sure to book early for 2027. Lok...

read more
Rice Pudding

Rice Pudding

Once I am onboard one of our riverboats or expedition ships, my most important tool is a teaspoon. With that teaspoon (which is constantly washed a sterilized), I taste every stage of every item of food that leaves the galley.  One of the items on our recent...

read more
Chicken Marengo

Chicken Marengo

According to a popular myth, the dish was first made after Napoleon defeated the Austrian army at the Battle of Marengo at Marengo south of Alessandria, Italy, when his chef Dunard foraged in the town for ingredients (because the supply wagons were too distant) and...

read more

BEYOND our expectations

We could not believe what we were served. Chef Malcom is a GENIUS!!! Please tell the directors that we do not have words to express how pleased we were. I suppose that we will be recommending you to every friend we know.

Jose T, Miami FL

Rhone River Cruise 2019

Fabulous & flawless service

I have been totally spoiled for future vacations. Riverboat is the way to go. I’ve met such nice people, staff was great, food fantastic. A really well run and well thought out trip

Harriet S

Another successful experience

Our experience was unique in that we were able to tour a lot of territory and a variety of places with minimal inconvenience. The fact that our boat was always with us and there were no long bus rides or waits made this mode of travel extremely enjoyable.

Micheol R