Jewish Heritage Cuba Tours

Abel is a brilliant and amicable young man and tour guide. He arranged two classic car tours for us: a Jewish tour and a Havana city tour. Thanks to Abel, we truly got a sense of Havana's historic and dynamic Jewish community, from the early arrivals in Old Havana to the more contemporary life in el Vedado. This community has a rich history and has transformed multiple times in the last century. Abel beautifully guided us through that complex past with site visits and thoughtful historical conversation. His Havana city tour also allowed us to view the place through local eyes and learn what makes the city special. We can't recommend Abel enough. He is a phenomenal tour guide.

Four of us took a tour of Havana’s Jewish sites with Abel and his driver in an open-top classic American car. Abel, despite being young, is already a notable member of the Jewish community in Havana. He took us to a couple of working temples, Hotel Rachel and one shuttered temple and relayed the history of the community and its past and present challenges. The tour lasted about 3 hours and was one of the highlights of our visit to Cuba. Highly recommended for people interested in that particular facet of Cuban life.

My son and I took 2 private tours of the Jewish community of Havana with Abel, in Vedado and Old Havana. Abel was a great guide; he is very knowledgeable and informative. We learned so much about the history of the Jewish community and synagogues of Havana. After the Cuban revolution 90% of the Jews left Cuba. It was heartening to see that Jewish life is still thriving there. Our trip to Cuba would not have been complete without Abel. I highly recommend his Jewish tours.

We had a late flight on the last day of our Cuba trip and booked Abel for a delightful tour. In four hours in a classic car, we visited the synagogues and other sites in Havana and then were taken to the airport. As a child of the Jewish community he is very knowledgeable and eloquent. You can even see his bar mitzvah picture. And with his mother as VP of Beth Shalom there’s a special history for him. Definitely do this tour.

Embarking on the Jewish tour of Havana turned out to be a remarkably enlightening experience, largely due to the exceptional guidance of Abel, a prominent young figure within Cuba's modest Jewish community. Abel's deep-seated knowledge of the local Jewish history was not only impressive but also instrumental in enriching our understanding of the intricate tapestry that constitutes the Jewish presence in Cuba. The tour commenced in grand style, aboard a classic convertible that seemed to whisk us away into a bygone era, adding a touch of timeless charm to our journey through Havana's streets. This choice of vehicle was perfect, blending the old-world allure of Havana with the profound historical narratives we were about to explore. Abel, with his infectious enthusiasm and profound knowledge, guided us through the city, unveiling the layers of Jewish history and culture that have contributed to the fabric of Havana. Each site we visited was steeped in history and significance, from synagogues that stood as beacons of faith and community to memorials that silently narrated the resilience and contributions of Jewish Cubans. Abel's narrative was not just a recounting of facts; it was a vivid storytelling session that brought the past and present of Cuba's Jewish community to life. His personal insights and connections to the community added a valuable dimension to the tour, offering us an insider's perspective that was both rare and enlightening. What made the tour exceptionally memorable was not just the sites we visited but the manner in which Abel intertwined the Jewish history with the broader tapestry of Cuban culture and history. He skillfully drew connections between the Jewish community's experiences and the overarching narratives of Cuba, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between the community and the island nation. Furthermore, Abel's approachability and willingness to engage in deep conversations allowed for a dynamic exchange of ideas, questions, and reflections. This interactive element transformed the tour from a mere sightseeing experience into a meaningful dialogue, enriching our understanding and appreciation of Cuba's Jewish heritage. In conclusion, the Jewish tour of Havana with Abel was an unparalleled experience that went beyond the conventional boundaries of tourism. It was a journey through time, faith, and culture, guided by someone who not only knew the history but lived within its context. This tour is a must for anyone keen on understanding the unique mosaic of Cuban culture and the indelible imprint of its Jewish community. Abel, with his passion and knowledge, made history come alive, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

I had the pleasure of taking Able's 1/2 day tour in Havana. Luckily we were visiting the one day a month the Sunday school was in sessio in Beth Shalom. We witnessed a father and son in front of members of the congregation essentially saying goodbye to each other as the son was making Aliyah soon, to be in the army, likely fighting in Gaza. After his father sang an impassioned song to his son, they embraced with tremendous love and heartache. It was a sight I will never forget. We learned about the shul's history and the various activities and projects that take place there. We also enjoyed watching the kids learn a dance for Hanukah. We then visited the nearby Sephardic Synagogue that was not as active but housed an excellent "Holocaust Museum". We then took a taxi to old Havana to visit a third synagogue, Menorah Park (which, sadly had much trash on part of its perimete), and Hotel Raquel, decorated with Jewish symbols and Hebrew. Able was very knowledgable and charming and we enjoyed being with him and getting an intimate look into the life of the Jewish community there.I recommend his tour wholeheartedly!

This is an overdue (apologies Abel!) accolade regarding the time we spent with Abel on our visit to Cuba earlier this year. Honestly, considering the small Jewish community in the country (relative to when my family lived there) I was not sure what to expect when my wife arranged for our tour. I shouldn’t have been concerned. Abel was such a great host - AND person. We spent a number of hours walking through - and learning about, places that are important in Cuban Jewish life, and additionally others which were significant in my own family’s history. During our time together, Abel shared his family’s background with us, and even after our tour was completed, he walked around with us as we continued to search out other locations that were personally relevant (including being with us when we found the apartment in which my mom and grandparents lived at in Havana). Our time with him was one of the highlights of our trip, and we would recommend anyone that is interested in exploring Jewish Havana to reach out to him. Abel, te echamos de menos y ojala que te encuentras bien.

Abel was a great resource to educate our group on the history of Jewish people and the practice of the Judaism in Cuba. I learned quite a bit from Abel. His knowledge of the past and his engagement in the present Jewish community is inspiring. I recommend using Abel as a top rated tour guide for any of his offered tours in Cuba!

Abel is great. We really enjoyed our tour with him and got to see the two synagouges in Havana. Great way to learn about and support Jewish life there. Hatzlacha!