Jewish National Fund HAVANA, CUBA People to People Trip January 31 - February 5, 2018 Chair Sheryl Buchholtz Professional Glen Schwartz
Wednesday, January 31 Early morning flight from Miami to Havana on Delta #625 departing at 9:01 am. Arrive Jose Marti airport where your guide and private transportation await you. En route to lunch, make a quick stop at Revolution Square., which is known for being the place where many political rallies take place. Fidel Castro has addressed more than a million Cubans on many important occasions in this square, such as May 1st (Labor Day). Lunch at the Hotel Nacional s outdoor restaurant La Baracca (included). Hotel Nacional is located on a hilltop overlooking the famous Malecon. After lunch, feel free to stroll in the beautiful front garden, visit the Hall of Fame, and hear about a meeting of the mafia bosses. Following lunch, visit the Sefardic Synagogue. You will meet Dr. Myra Levy and view the Holocaust exhibit. Check-in at Parque Central Hotel in Old City Havana. Freshen up in your room and prepare for you first evening in Havana! Attend an early evening cocktail party at an artist s home and hear about their creative process and their role in Cuban society. Dinner at paladar Cocina Lilliam (included). A paladar is a small, privately owned restaurant in a private home that offers authentic, delicious and very sophisticated cuisine. Malecon Itinerary is subject to change.
Thursday, February 1 Buffet breakfast at the hotel Begin the day meeting workers in a cigar factory. Cuba is known around the world for their cigars. See first-hand how they are hand rolled and smell the sweet scent of dried tobacco leaves in the factory. Visit the Patronato Synagogue and meet Adele Dworin, President of the Jewish community, who will give a short presentation of the history of the Jewish community in Cuba and share her own fascinating story. We will tour the synagogue, community center, and library, which houses an impressive collection and is a vital resource for reference and education for many throughout the island. The community center runs a pharmacy alongside the JDC Cuban Jewish Relief Project which serves those in need in the surrounding neighborhood. A briefing at the American Embassy. (TBC) Lunch at El Aljibe, which is famous for its delicious chicken recipe. (Included) After lunch, drive-by or visit the Art School Built on the grounds of the former golf course, considered by some to be an amazing architectural wonder. Next, enjoy an afternoon drive though the Cubanacan Neighborhood. These mega mansions belonged to the richest Havaneros who left the country after the Revolution and were taken over by the Cuban government. Today, they are leased to foreign businessmen and diplomats. These mansions were designed by world famous architects and are well preserved. Amongst them is the Mid-Century Richard Neutra House, today the Swiss Ambassador s Residence. Visit the incomparable home of artist and ceramicist Jose Fuster, and his assistant, Alex Fuster on an island of make believe in an otherwise downtrodden section of Havana known as Jaimanitas ( the Pablo Picasso of Cuba New York Times). Return to the hotel in vintage convertible American cars. Dinner at paladar Rio Mar. (included) Following dinner, visit the Tropicana Club for the 10:00 pm show. Russian Embassy in Cubanacan Itinerary is subject to change.
Friday, February 2 El Morro Castle Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a tour of Morro Castle. Sitting across the bay is the fortress that guarded the entrance to Havana Bay. The design was created by the Italian engineer Juan Bautusta Antonelli and was originally under the control of Spain. The fortress was captured by the British in 1762 and returned to Spanish under treaty terms a year later. The Faro Castillio del Morro lighthouse was added in 1846. Next, visit the Jewish cemetery and hear the history of the Jews who came to Cuba in the early 20th century, say a prayer, and help clean some of the gravestones. Then visit Hemingway s Home, Finca La Vigia. Having a long-lasting mutual respect, Cuba has meticulously maintained the Finca La Vigia ( Lookout Farm ), Ernest Hemingway s home for 21 years. Located nine miles south of Havana, you will see Hemingway s adventurous life reflected throughout the home including African game trophies, stacks of books and his mail still on the bed. A special treat is a Hemingway s boat Pilar. Lunch at paladar Café Ajiaco (included). Legendary chef Emril Lagasse has filmed in this restaurant. Wander through the small village of Cojimar, which is where Hemingway docked his boat and went fishing for marlin. Return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Attend Shabbat services at Patronato Synagogue, led by members of the community, with kids and adults alike, and enjoy Kiddush and say Hamotzi with the congregation. Dinner at paladar Le Chansonier (included). Enjoy to local artists work displayed throughout this restaurant. Itinerary is subject to change.
Saturday, February 3: Special Shabbat Program Plaza Vieja, Old Havana Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. The day begins with a tour of the Museum of Revolution. Learn about history of the Revolution from the Cuban perspective. Next take a walking tour of Old Havana (La Habana Vieja). Founded in 1519, Old Havana was built around the natural port of Havana Bay. Our walking tour includes San Francisco Square, one of the oldest in the historic quarter, and Plaza Vieja, the only surviving civic square from colonial times. Stops along the walking route may include: Adath Israel Synagogue where you will see the Menorah that celebrates the immigrants who originated the Jewish community in Old Havana. A full scale model of Havana where you can get a real perspective of the city. Another stop at Taller de Gráfica de la Habana, an important graphic arts establishment, preserving the old printmaking techniques and producing some of the most significant works of graphic art in Havana. Lunch at Ivan Justo. (Included) After lunch, visit the Fine Arts Museum. This museum displays a stunning collection of Cuban art from the early part of the century up to the 2000 s. Stroll along the Paseo del Prado promenade, where Chanel showed their cruise collection, or view art from emerging artists at an Arts and Crafts Market. Cocktail party at an artist s home or studio. Dinner at La Guarida, which is the most famous restaurant in Cuba and not to be missed. Be sure to take in the city views from the rooftop bar. (Included)
Sunday, February 4 Fabrica de Arte Cubano Buffet breakfast at the hotel. First stop is Callelon de Hammel, a funky and picturesque district filled with psychedelic art and Afro-Cuban music. Next explore the neighborhoods beyond the Colonial Havana. In Vedado, you will see the entrance to the University of Havana, Fidel Castro s alma mater, which contains beautiful frescoes and a large bronze statue by Cuban artist Armando Menocal y Menocal. Visit to Havana s ice cream cathedral, Coppelia. Return to Patronato at Noon to visit with the children of the Sunday school classes. En route to lunch, make a quick stop at the Riveria Hotel. Originally owned by mobster Meyer Lansky who had been inspired to build it after visiting his friend Moe Dalit s Riveria Casino in Las Vegas. It was intended to rival the comfort and contemporary luxury of any Vegas hotel of that era. The choice to build in Havana was simply because Lansky did not want to be subject to U.S. laws or the scrutiny of the FBI. Lunch at a paladar to be determined. (Included) After lunch, visit various artist s studios and exchange ideas about the meaning of artistic expression in Cuba and the U.S. Return to Patronato synagogue for Tu BiShvat where you will celebrate with the community, and share dry fruits and nuts with the Jews of Cuba. Drinks at Club Havana, the only private club in Cuba. (Included) Return to the hotel to freshen up. The evening begins at 331 Art Space, a combined working studio and exhibition space, for more contemporary Cuban art and cocktails. Dinner at a paladar El Cocinero. (Included) After dinner, walk next door to Fabrica de Arte Cubano, the newest hip spot in Havana. Located in a former cooking oil factory, this space has been converted into a sophisticated, groundbreaking, multimedia showcase featuring performing arts, art, music, and dance.
Monday, February 5 Havana Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Pack and check-out. Stop at an artist s home for coffee or pick-up a sandwich on our way to the airport. Board return flight to Miami