יידישקייט
(YIDDISHKEIT)
3 DAY JEWISH TOUR
Timeless Jewish legacy of Nistrenia in an unforgettable journey through history, culture and heritage.
DAY 1. 10:30
Bendery Fortress. Historical excursion
The Bender Fortress rises above the Dniester River as a testament to the former might of the Ottoman Empire and the embodiment of Nistrenia’s military history. Its ancient walls have withstood sieges, fires, assaults, and countless reconstructions. It has changed hands between various military powers numerous times, yet it has remained one of the most unassailable citadels in the region. The fortress played a significant role in the region’s history, including periods when Jewish communities thrived nearby. Exploring the fortress, you can learn about the diverse cultural influences that shaped the area, including the contributions of Jewish residents during various eras. This historical exploration provides a meaningful connection to the past and a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage in the region.
DAY 1.12:00
Tiraspol Holocaust monument
This monument is erected in memory of all victims of the Holocaust: those who perished in Nazi death camps and other sites of mass extermination across different countries, as well as those who were shot on the banks of the river Dniester, tortured in the ghettos of Rybnitsa and Dubossary, here in Nistrenia.
DAY 1. 13:00
Lunch in “Georgia”
Restaurant Georgia in Tiraspol offers a delightful culinary experience with its traditional Georgian dishes, some of which have historical ties to the Jewish communities. The warm and inviting atmosphere, combined with the rich flavors of the cuisine, provides a unique opportunity to savor the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the local gastronomy. Additionally, the restaurant’s selection of wines from premier wineries offers a chance to enjoy high-quality kosher options.
DAY 1. 15:00
Check-in “Park Hotel”.
This well-appointed hotel features spacious rooms with contemporary amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. Its beautiful surroundings, including a well-maintained garden and proximity to the scenic Dniester River, provide a tranquil retreat. The hotel also offers a range of facilities such as a restaurant serving local and international cuisine.
DAY 2. 10:00
KVINT
The KVINT factory is renowned for its production of high-quality spirits, brandies and liqueurs. Besides it’s one of the few enterprises of former USSR, which has kosher certificate. While the factory itself is not specifically Jewish in its focus, there are several aspects that you mightbe impressed by. The factory produces more than 20 million bottles of wine, cognac and alcoholic beverages a year. To your service there will be the informative communication with sommelier over the glass of good divin or wine. During this meeting, you will get the recommendations to get the most out of these amazing drinks.
DAY 2. 14:00
Aquatir
The main activity of Akvatir company is the cultivation of sturgeon fish, as well as the production of natural black
beluga caviar, Russian sturgeon, bester and sterlet. During excursion on this factory you will get to know the full production cycle of breeding of sturgeon species by using the latest achievements and technologies. Aquatir produces caviar not only to sell. The negligent attitude towards nature has destroyed the natural way of migrating sturgeons in our region that took place in the upper areas of the Dniester River for thousands years. In this regard, under the supervision of international specialists CITES, “Aquatir” is stocking the river. For today, more than 50,000 Russian Sturgeon fries from this enterprise have already been released.
DAY 2. 15:30
Casa Karaman
The guesthouse was built on the site of a traditional cottage with a history of about 100 years, which was passed down from generation to generation and preserves the authenticity of the
period of the beginning of the XX century. Karaman House is a real historical gem of the village, due to the fact that it keeps archaic objects and old things, handmade (coute, bagel, shovel, leash, old barrels, furniture, lamps, carpets, etc.), and things donated by families in the community, in order to promote the
ancient culture and traditions.
DAY 2. 16:30
Bottle-Museum
The museum showcases a vast collection of bottles, each with its own history and story. The collection reflects various aspects of local and regional history. Understanding how different communities, including Jewish ones, have interacted with local industries and traditions over time can provide valuable cultural insights. The intricate designs and artistic elements of the bottles can be fascinating. You will see how different cultures and historical periods have influenced bottle design especially taking in considerating that Bottle-museum recorded in Guinness World Records. Its collection includes more than 10 thousand types of bottles of various alcoholic drinks from 105 countries of the world.
DAY 3. 10:00
The site of the execution of Jews in Dubossary
This place, called Dubossary Babi Yar, is the largest mass grave of Holocaust victims in the entire nearby territory of Nistrenia, Moldova and the Odessa district of Ukraine. In the 1960s about 150 Jews lived in Dubossary. Through their efforts, in 1956, with funds raised both in the USSR and abroad, a memorial was created at the site of the execution of Jews. The total area of the memorial complex is about 5800 square meters. To the question “For what?”, engraved on a granite slab, we will never be able to answer.
DAY 3. 11:00
Dubossary Jewish Cemetery
One of the oldest cemeteries in the city, there are about 2,000 old burials, as well as 250 burials that were made after 1945. Of the old tombstones, 150 have been identified. The oldest burial is dated 8 Adar 5587, which corresponds to March 7, 1827 of the Gregorian calendar. The burial place of the famous tzaddik has been preserved at the cemetery, which is a place of worship for every Hasid who visits the city of Dubossary.
DAY 3. 13:00
Stroentsy. Tower of Winds, Old Mill Complex
Perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking the Dniester River, the Tower of Winds stands as a poignant architectural tribute from the late 19th century. It was erected in honor of Petr Khristianovich Wittgenstein, a revered Russian commander and hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. Nearby, the village of Stroentsy is also home to a beautifully restored water mill, originally designed in the late 19th century. This mill, with its mechanisms imported from Zurich, was converted into the Museum of Bread in 1982. Today, the mill, surrounded by picturesque nature and integrated into a charming landscape, serves as a major attraction, housing both a museum and a restaurant-hotel complex known as Old Mill.
DAY 3. 15:00
The pillbox-24А
You will visit massive underground stronghold that resembled a vast subterranean metropolis of early soviet times. This immense structure, designed with strategic precision, housed an array of specialized rooms to support its garrison. Its twelve distinct chambers included ventilation systems, storage areas, and essential utilities such as a water supply and sanitation units. This hidden city, with its own power station and various support rooms, was a testament to the intricate planning and robust design required to maintain such a critical military outpost.
DAY 3. 16:00
Rashkov. Synagogue ruins
The synagogue was built in Rashkov around 1749. At that time, the village was one of the centers of world Hasidism. For a long time, the synagogue served as the spiritual hub of the multitudinous Jewish community of Rashkov. However, in the early 1930s, during the anti-religious campaign, its dome was destroyed. Nowadays the ruins of the synagogue in Rashkov hold profound significance for Jewish heritage and memory. This place remains offer a contemplative space to honor and remember the historical and cultural contributions of their ancestors.
DAY 3. 17:00
Rashkov Jewish Cemetery. Grave of Rabbi Shabtai
The cemetery in Rashkov is a testament to the long-standing Jewish presence in the region. It serves as a cultural and historical landmark that preserves the memory of the vibrant Jewish community that once thrived there. The grave of Rabbi Shabtai has become a significant pilgrimage site. Visitors come to pay their respects, seek inspiration, and pray for spiritual and physical well-being. Known as the “Shach,” Rabbi Shabtai HaKohen was a prominent 17th-century rabbi and Talmudic scholar. He is renowned for his commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, particularly the “Siftei Kohen” (Shach) on the Choshen Mishpat and Yoreh De’ah sections. For many Jewish visitors, a visit to the grave of Rabbi Shabtai is a deeply personal experience, offering a moment of reflection and connection to their ancestry and religious heritage.
