Except Saturday and Sunday!!!!
A ) Advance Reservation Required.
B ) Photocopy of your passport picture page is needed in advance for visit permits.
C ) Passports requried for security during the tour..
D ) The times are given by the Rabbinate & Times can change According to Them.
Synagogue Visits In Istanbul.
Jewish community has lived in the geographic area of Asia Minor for more than 2,400 years. In the later Middle Ages, Ashkenazi Jews migrating to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire supplemented the original Jewish population of Asia Minor. At the end of the 15th century, a large number of Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal settled in Asia Minor on the invitation of the Ottoman Empire. Despite emigration during the 20th century, modern day Turkey continues a Jewish population. The present size of the Jewish Community is estimated at around 26,000 according to the Jewish Virtual Library. The vast majority live inIstanbul, with a community of about 2,500 in İzmir and other smaller groups located in the rest of Turkey. Sephardic Jews make up approximately 96% of Turkey's Jewish population, while the rest are primarily Ashkenazic. Turkish Jews are still legally represented by the Hahambasi, the Chief Rabbi. Rav Izak Haleva, is assisted by a religious Council made up of a Rosh Bet Din and three Hahamim. Thirty-five Lay Counselors look after the secular affairs of the Community and an Executive Committee of fourteen, the president of which must be elected from among the Lay Counselors, runs the daily affairs.

THE SYNAGOGUE VISIT;
Those are the Synagogues that we will visit during this tour.
08 : 30 Am Pick up from the hotel or from the cruise..
09 : 00 Am Ashkenazi Synagogue for Morning Service
09 : 20 Am Galata Quarter Visit and Kamondo Steps
09 : 50 Am Balat jewish Quarter Walking Tour
10 : 00 Am Ahrida Synagogue
10 : 20 Am Tea / Coffe Break in a local Patisserie
11 : 00 Am Ortakoy Etz Ahayim Synagogue
11 : 30 Am Ortakoy Area & Bosphorus View Walking
12 : 15 Pm Jewish Museum ( Zulfaris Synagogue )
13 : 00 Pm Neve Shalom Synagogue
13 : 45 Pm Local Markets or Spice Bazaar Visit
15 : 00 Pm Rustempasa Mosque Visit
15 : 30 Pm - 16 : 00 pm End of the Tour and Return Back to the hotel or cruise ship

The times are given by the Rabbinate & Times can change According to Them.

NOTE: In Turkey because of the security reasons; we need to inform the visitors arrival to the Synagogues and get a special permission from the rabbinate. In order to do this we need the passport copies of each guests, hotel adresses

The Ashkenazi Synagogue
Located near the Galata Tower, it is the only active Ashkenazi Synagogue open to visits and prayers. Founded by Ashkenazim of Austrian origin in 1900, it is the last remaining synagogue among a total of three built by Ashkenazim. Visits con be made during weekday mornings and for Shabbat services on Saturday mornings.

The Neve Shalom Synagogue
Built and opened in 1951 and the scene of a tragic terrorist attack in 1986, it is the largest synagogue in Istanbul where most of the religious ceremonies are held. The Neve Shalom is open to the public for morning visits during the weekdays and for Shabbat prayers every Saturday morning.

The Ahrida Synagogue
Located in Balat near the Golden Horn, built by Jews of Ohri (Macedonia) more than 550 years ago and recently renovated during the Quincentennial Celebrations in 1992, the Ahrida Synagogue is known foremost by its boat-shaped bimah. It can only be visited during weekday mornings.

Etz Ahayim Synagogue
Located in Ortakoy, near the European leg of the Bosphorus Bridge. When the previous synagogue burned down in 1941 with only the marble Aron-ha-Kodesh remaining, the new synagogue was rebuilt on the location of the then midrash. Visits can be made with previous appointments and both weekday and Shabbat services can be attended likewise.

Day 1: Monday
Depart your home city for Istanbul, Turkey

Day 2: Tuesday
Arrival in Istanbul (Welcome Dinner)
Upon arrival meet with tour guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Group welcome dinner

Day 3: Wednesday Istanbul B,D
Today we visit the old Jewish districts of Istanbul, including Neve Salom Synagogue (meaning "Oasis or Valley of Peace"), still Istanbul's most modern and magnificent synagogue, witness for some 75 years of the Galata district's observances, festivals, ceremonies, weddings, b'nei mitzvah and funerals. We'll visit the more than a century old Ashkenazi Synagogue, so called because it was founded by Jews of Austrian origin. Of three such synagogues in Istanbul, it is the last remaining and still in service one. Our tour also includes one of Istanbul's oldest synagogues, the Ahrida Synagogue built by Greek Jews migrating from the city of Ohrid in the 15th century. And we'll see the early 19th-century Zulfaris Synagogue, now restored as the Jewish Museum of Turkey. In the afternoon, we'll explore the 17th century Etz Ahayim (Tree of Life) Synagogue, also known as the Ortakoy Synagogue (the district in which it is located), which was tragically destroyed by fire in 1941. Today only the marble Aron Kodesh remains intact (within a lovely garden overlooking the sea). Overnight in Istanbul. (B, D)

Day 4: Thursday Istanbul – Bursa B,D
This morning we take to the road for a guided tour to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, built in the fourteenth century. We’ll enjoy seeing the Gerush Synagogue and then the Bursa Grand Mosque, both the largest mosque in Bursa and one of the most striking examples of Ottoman art. Overnight in Bursa. (B, D)

Day 5: Friday Bursa – Izmir B,L
Today we drive southwest to Akhisar ("White Castle"), site of ruins of the ancient Turkish city of Thyatira. In early Christian times, Thyateira was home to a significant Christian church and may have been visited by the apostles. We'll continue to Sardis, in ancient times the capital of the kingdom of Lydia and one of the most important cities of the Persian Empire. It was conquered by Alexander in 334 BCE, growing considerably prosperous during Hellenistic and Roman rule. We'll visit the Temple of Artemis, Roman Stadium, Roman baths, theatre and one of the world’s oldest synagogues, Sardis Synagogue, dating from the 3rd century BCE when King Antiochus III encouraged Jews from Babylonia and other nations to move to Sardis. Excavations of this site since 1958 have unearthed arguably the most impressive synagogue from antiquity in the Western Diaspora, with Greek and Hebrew inscriptions as well as mosaic floors. After this striking site, we'll drive to Izmir, home to an ancient and deeply historic Jewish community dating to the 2nd century CE when Greeks renamed the city Smyrna. Witness to centuries of Jewish life, this city will be a highlight of our tour. We will settle into our hotel by late afternoon.

Tonight we have the possibility of Kabbalat Shabbat at the 200 year-old Seniyora Synagogue, most active of the remaining synagogues on Havra Street, Izmir's "Street of Synagogues.” The Seniyora is only 20-minute walk away from our hotel. Overnight in Izmir. (B, D)

Day 6: Saturday Izmir (Shabbat no driving - Walking Day) B,D
This Shabbat morning is free for you to walk along the Street of Synagogues on your own. Home to nine synagogues, three are in use still today. If you desire, visit the Kadosh Mizrahi Synagogue and Shalom (Aydin) Synagogue (Both are open only on Saturday mornings.) near the Seniyora Synagogue. This afternoon we'll take a guided walking tour to Karatas, a 25-minute walk, and the location of Beth Israel Synagogue — the city's largest — as well as Beth Shalom Social Club and Karatas Hospital, owned and actively operated by the Jewish foundation of this city. We'll visit the Asansor (approximate 30-minute walk), a 19th-century funicular (incline railway) that was created to lift passengers up the sheer rock cliffs to the residential district above. From the top of the funicular, one experiences an exquisite bird's-eye view of the city and the bay. Inscriptions above the railway door are in both French and Hebrew. We have the possibility of meeting with the Asansör, President of the Izmir Jewish Community Center in the late afternoon, depending on his schedule. Overnight in Izmir. (B, D)

Day 7: Sunday Izmir – Ephesus – Pamukkale B,D
Today's full-day excursion includes Ephesus, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites and the largest ancient city ever unearthed, once home to a population of some 300,000. One of the main centers of early Christianity and home to apostles, it became an important site of pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages. Ephesus' enormous amphitheater still can hold 24,000 spectators. Walking the marble-covered streets, we'll view gymnasiums, baths houses, temples, and the breathtaking two-tiered Library of Celsius, erected in 110 CE. The reading room was destroyed by fire during the 3rd century, but the monument façade did not suffer damage. It has been restored and open to the public since the 1970's. Afterward, we continue our drive to Pamukkale, location of astonishingly beautiful sparkling white terraced hot springs formations. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B, D)

Day 8: Monday Pamukkale – Cappadocia B,D
Pamukkale is Turkey's foremost natural mineral-bath spa, thanks to its hot calcium-rich springs cascading over a cliff. As they cool, they form dramatic brilliantly white calcium limestone formations and magnificent mineral pools. Visitors come here to soak or wade in the healing waters that have soothed the ailments of residents and visitors for more than 2,000 years. This city too was home to a significant Jewish community, mentioned by Paul in his Letter to Colossians. Our tour includes a visit to Hierapolis ("Sacred City"), a 2nd century BCE UNESCO World Heritage Site believed by its ancient population to have been founded by the god Apollo. The ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis sat on top of hot springs — its great baths, library, and gymnasium constructed with huge stone blocks without cement. From here we drive to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

Day 9: Tuesday Cappadocia B,D
Today begins with a visit to the fascinating Cappadocia town of Goreme and the Goreme Valley. The lunar-like landscape of this region is eerie, yet exquisite. Over thousands of years, rain has eroded this landscape to give rise to strange rock formations known as “Fairy Chimneys.” Many homes and churches have been carved into these formations, some grottos magnificently decorated with colorful frescoes depicting biblical scenes. The modern city is home to a population of some 2,500. This region is known for its carpet-making shops, and we'll visit a local carpet cooperation, a carpet "farm" of sorts. This afternoon we'll tour the hidden "Monk's Valley" of Pasabagi, just outside Goreme, with its many astonishing carved rock houses, hermit shelters, and chapels in which residents and visitors have lived and prayed for centuries. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

Day 10: Wednesday Cappadocia B,D
Following breakfast we'll explore the Underground City of Kaymakli, with its houses constructed underground. In about the 6th century, the Christian inhabitants of this region began to tunnel into the soft volcanic rock of these large hills. The subterranean city that they created is some 275 feet deep with eight distinct levels that housed several thousand residents and, astonishingly, a church, wine or oil press, kitchens, and copper mine. Next stops are the old Greek town of Mustafapasa (Sinasos), with its spectacular old Greek houses and Castle of Ortahisar. After testing the local wine, we’ll visit a local family to learn about the region's culture while enjoying Turkish tea and Baklava. Next, we'll visit a historic and typical Turkish village, Avanos, renowned for its production of earthenware pottery. Here we'll see techniques of ceramic art dating from the 12th to 3rd centuries BCE. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)

Day 11: Thursday Cappadocia – Fly to Istanbul B, D
This morning we fly back to Istanbul. The afternoon is free to explore Istanbul on your own or for optional activities that can be arranged for you at the hotel. (costs not included) Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12: Friday Istanbul B,L
We'll spend the morning at the magnificent Topkapi Palace, once home to the great Sultans of Turkey and filled with treasures and antiquities that include 12,000 pieces of fine Chinese porcelain. This is home to the unique Blue Mosque, the interior walls of which are covered with 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. We'll see the Hippodrome and the spectacular domed Basilica of St. Sophia — first a cathedral constructed in 326 by Constantine the Great, then a mosque, now a museum — the beauty of which has inspired architects and spiritual seekers for more than 1,500 years. We will return to our hotel by 4 pm to observe Shabbat, either attending a nearby synagogue for Kabbalat Shabbat, or sharing a Kabbalat service together in our hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. (B, L)

Day 13: Saturday Istanbul B,D / Farewell Group Dinner
Observe Shabbat - Free day in Istanbul. (Optional activities can be arranged for you, costs not included in tour price). Perhaps shopping at the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered market in the world or a boat ride on the Bosphorus River. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 14: Sunday B
After a farewell breakfast transfer to Ataturk Airport for your flight home. (B)