The history of Jews in Lithuania and Latvia stretches back to the 14th century. On this journey, we will delve into the rich and storied past of Litvak culture and heritage, interact with the Jewish communities of today, and enjoy unforgettable musical presentations by Prof. Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz in collaboration with local Jewish musicians.
YOUR JOURNEY TO LITHUANIA & LATVIA INCLUDES:
3 nights Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Vilnius
3 nights Park Inn by Radisson, Kaunas
2 nights Victoria Hotel, Klaipeda
2 nights Grand Palace Hotel, Riga
All touring and sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned motor coach with an expert English-speaking guide
Breakfast daily
5 dinners
Musical moments throughout our journey including:
• Sing-alongs
• Choir visits
• Concerts and more!
Experience Jewish history in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda and Riga
Key Museum encounters
Celebrate Lag B'Omer together in song
Entrance fees per itinerary
Porterage
Bottled water on the bus
Whisper headsets
NOT INCLUDED:
Roundtrip airfare, departure taxes & fuel surcharges (contact Ayelet Tours for flight assistance)
Border taxes or visa fees
Tips to guides, drivers and service personnel ($25 per person, per day; pre-collected)
Meals not listed above
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance (recommended - group policy available)
Any costs associated with Covid-19 testing or vaccination status
For a full list of our terms and conditions, including our cancellation policies, click here.
WATCH OUR VIRTUAL LECTURE - THE LITVAK STORY:
ABOUT YOUR TOUR LEADERS:
PROF. STROM:
Professor Yale Strom is an acclaimed violinist, composer, filmmaker, writer, photographer, playwright and a pioneer among revivalists in conducting extensive field research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Romani communities. Initially, his work focused primarily on the use and performance of klezmer music among these two groups. Gradually, his focus increased to examining all aspects of their culture, from post-World War II to the present. For more than 3 decades and 75 such research expeditions, Strom has become the world's leading ethnographer-artist of klezmer music and history. In addition to his klezmer research Strom has researched, composed and played Jewish music that was influenced by various Arab cultures. This influence can be heard even in klezmer music. Strom will have his thirteenth book published (Shloyml Boyml and His Purim Adventure) in spring 2023. It will be a children's illustrated book (English/Yiddish) based upon his ethnographic research he did in Romania. Strom has lectured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and taught at NYU for 4 years, where he created the course “Artist Ethnographer Expeditions”. At present he is a professor in the Music Dept. at San Diego State.
ELIZABETH SCHWARTZ:
Elizabeth Schwartz has been called “The Edith Piaf of Yiddish” and “a revelation” with a superb mastery of klezmer ornamentations. As the vocalist for Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi and as a soloist, she has performed at festivals, synagogues and concert halls throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Her myriad acclaimed recordings of Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew and English have been released on the Naxos World, Arc Music UK and Transcontinental Music record labels. On March 18, 2012, Schwartz was invited to become the first woman in history to sing at the 125-year-old Eldridge Street Synagogue in Manhattan, effectively breaking the ban of kol isha in this landmark cultural venue. Schwartz is the subject of the Romanian documentary film, "Searching for Schwartz", by Radu Gabrea (z”l). As a writer, Schwartz co-created the award-winning audio dramas “The Witches of Lublin” and “Debs in Canton” for Suemedia Productions. She contributed a chapter on klezmer vocal technique to “Shpil: The Art of Playing Klezmer” (Scarecrow Press). For more information, visit www.elizabeth-schwartz.com.