Jewish Cuban Tours at World Passage Ltd.

Religious Groups Discuss Their Experience in Cuba with the World Passage Team

 

“Our congregation has travelled twice to Cuba. World Passage arranges it all. And no one does it better! World Passage was our partner, guiding us, encouraging us, and making our Cuba journey a memory that we will never forget.”

Rabbi Bennett Miller
Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, NJ

“I highly recommend World Passage if you are considering taking a group to Cuba… easy to deal with, thorough in follow through and helpful in making arrangements. The guides he employs are knowledgeable and make it educational and enjoyable.”

Rabbi Roy Walter
Congregation Emanu El, TX

“Our tour was beautifully constructed, exciting, interesting, and very personal for me and everyone from our synagogue… Everything prepared for us flowed effortlessly.”

Rabbi John Rosove
Temple Israel of Hollywood, CA

 

A genuine connection with the Jewish Community in Cuba is the reason over 700 religious groups and organizations chose World Passage to travel to the this tropical island nation. Our missions to Cuba over the last two decades have brought much needed, useful aid to the Jewish Cuban community. We have developed sincere connections with the leadership and members of the Jewish community and we’re ready and eager to do the same with all religious groups!

Jewish groups chose World Passage to travel to Cuba because of our ability to meet their unique needs such as accommodating the laws of kashrut. We can accommodate the needs of your religious group or organization in the same way.

With our Jewish Cuban tours, you will experience the culture, history, and rhythm of Cuba and its people.

We Customize Your Tour Based on the Interests of Your Religious Group or Organization

interests. Our tours are all about fun and learning! Your group can take a guided tour of the largest Jewish Cemetery in Cuba, sightsee in Old Havana or visit the Bella Artes Museum. It’s all up to you. World Passage will make sure you have the experience that meets your requirements. We have experience in working with:

  • Jewish groups
  • Presbyterian groups
  • Methodist groups

We Connect You to the People, the Culture, and the History

Our tours of Cuba are designed to satisfy your religious, historic, and cultural curiosity about this unique country. Our connections to Cuban people from many religious groups allows us to provide you with a customized tour and travel experience. You’ll also get to connect with them and learn about their beloved Cuba directly from their perspective. Many of the religious groups we have brought to Cuba over the years have built long-term, genuine relationships with similar Cuban religious groups.

Sample Itinerary

Sunday – Miami

  • Overnight hotel near Miami International Airport 

Monday, 3/14 – Havana

  • 8:20 am – group transfer to Miami International Airport
  • ABC Charter – Flight to Havana AA 9426 – Departure 11:30 am; arrival 12:30 pm – this is an American Airline plane and crew but not a scheduled AA flight
  • No lunch will be served – please eat at the airport
  • Revolucion Square – site of El Commandante en Jefe’s 7 hour speeches
  • Sephardic Center – meeting with Dra. Mayra Levy – learn about their new senior center
  • Check in – Nacional Hotel
  • 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Professor Corrales – lecture and PowerPoint presentation which encompasses the history of Judaism in Cuba.
  • Welcome Dinner at Hotel – La Barraca on the Patio (Included meal) 

Tuesday – Havana

  • 8:30 am – Cigar factory – Partagas – more art than industry
  • Walking tour old city
  • Lunch at El Patio – on Cathedral Square –excellent ropa vieja!
  • Continued touring
  • Patronato ( main synagogue of Cuba) and its Pharmacy which serves both the Jewish and non Jewish communities.
  • Craft market – bus will stay 1 hour and will then return to the hotel. Those wishing to stay may walk to the old city or take one of the plentiful cabs.
  • Return to hotel
  • Dinner – El Aljibe ( included meal) best Creole Chicken – black beans and rice in Havana

Wednesday – Havana– Matanzas - Varadero

  • 8:30 am – Early departure for Matanzas –
  • Visit Central Presbyterian Church of Matanzas.
  • Tour of Matanzas. Perhaps to include visit of the slavery museum
  • Visit to the Theological Seminary (SET) – presentation by Dean of SET.
  • Lunch at SET ( included meal)
  • Departure for Varadero – the famous beach resort of Cuba
  • Check in – Hotel Melia Las Americas. ( all inclusive beach resort) – located next to the Dupont’s summer residence built in the 20’s.

Thursday – Varadero – Cardenas – Varadero

Varadero

  • Visit to the Presbyterian Church of Varadero
  • Tour of Varadero and the outreach that the church extends to the community.

Cardenas

  • Visit of two smaller Presbyterian churches
  • Visit to The Institute for Dialogue and Reflection
    • Presentation by Director on History of Cuba and the work of the Center.
  • Lunch at the Institute
  • Return to the hotel.

Friday – Varadero – Havana

  • Morning at Leisure
  • Lunch at the hotel
  • Departure for Havana
  • Check in to Hotel
  • Transfer to Patronato for Erev Shabbat Services
  • Dinner at leisure

Saturday - Havana

  • Guided visit to Museum of the Revolution – to understand Cuba you must know its Revolution.
  • Hemingway’s house – La Finca Vigia – just as he left it before returning to Utah and his tragic end
  • Lunch – La Divina Pastora ( included meal) overlooking Havana Harbor
  • Return to hotel for those not wishing to go to Fuster
  • Visit to neighborhood and work shop of Fuster – as a ceramist he has completely changed the local environment
  • Return to Hotel
  • 8:30 pm – Optional activity: Gran Teatro – we should know the nature of the performance prior to departure.

Sunday - Havana

  • Services at the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Centro Havana – bus there and back
  • Guanabacoa – Jewish Cemetery – First Shoah ( Holocaust) Memorial in the Western Hemisphere
  • Remainder of the day at leisure
  • Optional activities including:
    • Visit to two private art galleries which feature the works of noted but up and coming Cuban artists – limited to 12 persons
    • Cooking classes by one of the best chefs in Havana who is trying to bring back real Creole cooking – limit 5 persons
  • Farewell Dinner at Café Oriente
  • Optional Activity: Tropicana – the favorite club of the “boys”.

Monday - Havana – Miami

  • Check out of hotel
  • Visit to University of Havana
  • And a few surprises
  • Return flight to Miami

Depart: 1:30 pm – Arrive: 2:30 pm

Featured Testimonials

“

“With World Passage, our congregational trip to Cuba was unique! Our trip was comprehensive, exciting and educational – we always felt that we were seeing and doing everything… World Passage is the only way to go to Cuba.”

Julie A. SilbermanPresident, Temple B’nai Abraham, NJ
“

“Our congregation has travelled twice to Cuba. World Passage arranges it all. And no one does it better! World Passage was our partner, guiding us, encouraging us, and making our Cuba journey a memory that we will never forget.”

Rabbi Bennett MillerAnshe Emeth Memorial Temple, NJ
“

“In planning of the itineraries, World Passage accommodated our specific interests in gardens, horticulture, and farms and also recommended top notch cultural experiences. These intertwined marvelously in a reasonable and enjoyable pace.”

Lenny WilsonDirector of Development, Delaware Center for Horticulture

Cuban culture’s vibrancy and vitality is alive.

Cuba is old, some of it is destroyed, and it feels as though time has stopped.
But it is full of life from the aroma of cooking food, to the warmth of the
people, to the rhythm in the way people move, to the sound of music in the air.

Cuba is changing Rapidly; Now is the Time!

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