Online Program
Adventures Online: The Jewish Heritage of Portugal
Program No. 24311RJ
Join experts for an immersive look into Portugal’s Jewish community through history during this live, online learning adventure that offers a look into Jewish heritage and traditions.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
3 days
Portugal has a rich Jewish history that is both complicated and fascinating. Join historians and authors for a live, online learning adventure that offers a look into the traditions and modern life of Portugal’s Jewish community. Embark on online field trips to the town of Tomar to learn about one of the oldest medieval synagogues in Portugal, and to medieval Lisbon to trace the events of the massacre of 1506. Explore the mountain region of Belmonte online to get insight into its Crypto-Jew community, and take an online journey to Cascais and Estoril to explore the history of the Portuguese Riviera. Take in lectures and presentations on the history of Jewish presence in Portugal, meet author Richard Zimler to hear about his novel on the 1506 massacre, learn about the evolution of the Portuguese diet and how it relates to different religious groups, and discuss the past and present subject of refugees. Along the way, join in discussion with your fellow Road Scholars as you become immersed in the stories and history of Portugal’s Jewish heritage.
Best of all, you'll...
- Meet American journalist Richard Zimler and author of “The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon,” to learn about the 1506 massacre in Lisbon, and hear about his experience as an American Jew living in Portugal for 30 years.
- Join the historian Inês Brandão to learn about the history of refugees who stayed in Portugal between 1936-1955, and hear stories of Aristides Sousa Mendes, known as the Portuguese Schindler.
- Take an online field trip to Belmonte to learn about its Crypto-Jew community, and learn how the community was contacted by mine engineer Samuel Schwarz.
General Notes
You’ll enjoy 2-3 hours of daily instruction, discussion and/or field trips, which includes sufficient breaks throughout the program. This online program is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience. This session is offered live only and will not be available on demand. Please review the daily itinerary for start and end times to ensure you won’t miss a minute of this live experience. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Paula Bizarro Moreira
Paula Moreira was born in Portugal and currently lives in Lisbon. She enjoys art, learning about different cultures and cinema. She has taken a variety of different courses ranging from art and image to Judaism and Jewish heritage in Portugal. Paula also speaks four languages. Since 1980, she has been leading groups throughout Europe and has worked as a consultant in tourism product planning, designing and development. Paula studied psychology, tourism and cinema at University in Lisbon, receiving a master’s degree in psychology.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Paula Bizarro Moreira
Paula Moreira was born in Portugal and currently lives in Lisbon. She enjoys art, learning about different cultures and cinema. She has taken a variety of different courses ranging from art and image to Judaism and Jewish heritage in Portugal. Paula also speaks four languages. Since 1980, she has been leading groups throughout Europe and has worked as a consultant in tourism product planning, designing and development. Paula studied psychology, tourism and cinema at University in Lisbon, receiving a master’s degree in psychology.
Richard Zimler
Richard Zimler is a novelist (born 1956). His works have been published in 23 languages and have become bestsellers in 13 countries including the USA, UK, France, Italy, Brazil, Australia, and Portugal. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in comparative religion from Duke University and a Master’s in journalism from Stanford University, then worked for eight years as a journalist in the San Francisco Bay area. In 1990, he moved to Porto, Portugal, and taught journalism at the College of Journalism and the University of Porto.
Inês Brandão
Inês Brandão is a researcher and museum professional. Her publications focus on the interplay between museums and sensitive histories. Between 2017 and 2021, she managed the Exiles Memorial Centre in Estoril, which interprets the lives and memories of the refugees who passed through Portugal, 1933-45. Her Ph.D. thesis at the University of Maynooth, titled 'What's in Lisbon? Art Museums, Arte Dealers and Refugees in Portugal, 1933-45,' received the Portuguese Association of Museology Award for academic work in 2024.
Elisabete Manteigueiro
Elisabete Manteigueiro graduated in Portuguese Language and Culture. She has worked at Empresa Municipal de Belmonte since 2009. Among several activities, she leads explorations in the different museum spaces of the municipality and collaborates in the realization of cultural events.
Paula Moreira
Paula Moreira was born in Portugal and currently lives in Lisbon. She enjoys art, learning about different cultures and cinema. She has taken a variety of different courses ranging from art and image to Judaism and Jewish heritage in Portugal. Paula also speaks four languages. Since 1980, she has been leading groups throughout Europe and has worked as a consultant in tourism product planning, designing and development. Paula studied psychology, tourism and cinema at University in Lisbon, receiving a master’s degree in psychology.
Elisabete Manteigueiro
Elisabete Manteigueiro graduated in Portuguese Language and Culture. She has worked at Empresa Municipal de Belmonte since 2009. Among several activities, she leads explorations in the different museum spaces of the municipality and collaborates in the realization of cultural events.
Richard Zimler
Richard Zimler is a novelist (born 1956). His works have been published in 23 languages and have become bestsellers in 13 countries including the USA, UK, France, Italy, Brazil, Australia, and Portugal. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in comparative religion from Duke University and a Master’s in journalism from Stanford University, then worked for eight years as a journalist in the San Francisco Bay area. In 1990, he moved to Porto, Portugal, and taught journalism at the College of Journalism and the University of Porto.
Date and Time
Join experts for an immersive look into Portugal’s Jewish community through history during this live, online learning adventure that offers a look into Jewish heritage and traditions.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.