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My Top 5 Jewish activities

OCTOBER 15, 2019
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Mallorca has a special place in my heart. When I first got into Judaism I lived on the island Mallorca. Little did I know in that time that Mallorca not only has a growing Jewish community, but that there is also meaningful Jewish history and heritage to be found. When I already lived in Israel I returned to Mallorca to visit the most interesting Jewish sights and following I will present my top recommendations of Jewish activities that you must experience when you visit Mallorca. 

From Jewish walking tours in Mallorca, several Israeli restaurants, the Synagogue and Jewish memorials, there are uncountable Jewish activities to be found in Mallorca. It is worth to visit the balearic Island and discover its Jewish heritage.
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1. Learn about the "Xuetas" and Mallorca's incredible Jewish history
"Xuetas" are the descendants of Majorcan Jews that either were forced to conver to Christianity or were Crypto-Jews, forced to keep their Jewish observance hidden. In Mallorca, the persecution of Jews began only towards the end of the 17th century, when hundreds of Jews were killed. On 15 penitential shirts hung at the Santo Domingo church were the names of those executed - they remained there for more than a hundred years. The descendants of these 15 families suffered the worst discrimination. Until far into the 20th century they were only allowed to marry within their population group. Despite all the dangers, they secretly kept Jewish traditions and customs and passed them on for generations until today. Since the Freedom of Religion in Spain the Xuetas are able to practice Judaism openly.

An estimated 18,000 people in the island carry Xueta surnames in the 21st century. Today the Xuetas want to be officially recognized as Jews, even if they are Christians on paper. Some Xuetas underwent a conversion to Judaism to officially be recognized as Jews again. I met some of the Xuetas and I was amazed by their endurance and love for Judaism after what their family has gone through. This story is worldwide unique.

On this picture I am visiting the memorial of the Xuetas, that commemorates the place where 37 Jews where burned alive in 1691.

Memorial a los Xuetas 
Placa Gomila, Palma de Mallorca

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2. Spend Shabbat in the Synagogue of Palma de Mallorca
Mallorca has one active Synagogue in the heart of Palma de Mallorca. This is the synagogue where I started my conversion process and my observance of Jewish life in summer 2017. 

Palma's Jewish community includes 200 to 250 people and many guest from all over the world who join the community during the year. 
The Synagogue of Mallorca has a diverse and multicultural Jewish community, both from an ethnic and religious aspect. Palma's Jews love the Jewish holidays, tradition and heritage, but do not consider themselves as strictly religious. The synagogue of Mallorca is open for prayers every Friday evening and conducts Shabbat welcoming ceremonies. On Jewish High Holidays there are Prayer services and community events. (Please inform the community about your participation in advance and send copies of Passport to their email)

Synagogue Palma de Mallorca
Carrer de Monsenyor Palmer, 3 - 07014 Palma
Email: cjibaleares@gmail.com

Shabbat Prayer Service:
Friday Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 PM

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3. Visit the old Jewish Quarter in Mallorca's old town
I have been living in Mallorca for 4 years and I have probably walked in these streets a hundred times without knowing where I was. This is the Jewish Quarter of Palma de Mallorca. From a bird's eye view you can see the structure of part of the old town in the form of a star of David. But besides that, barely anything from the former Jewish quarter is left. Neither the synagogues, nor the former Jewish street names or any other Jewish evidences. One of the best ways to discover the hidden Jewish history in those streets is probably a guided tour, that helps you to resurrect the Jewish quarter by using your imagination (more information below).

Former Jewish Quarter
Carrer del Call
Old town, Palma de Mallorca

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4. Discover the hidden Jewish sights on a guided Jewish Tour in Mallorca
My friend Dani Rotstein from the US, who I met in Mallorca two years ago, offers Jewish tours in the center of Palma de Mallorca and its surrounding under the name "JewishMajorca". Dani offers his Jewish tours in English, Spanish, Catalan and Hebrew. With his wealth of knowledge and his passion for the hidden details you will discover uncountable interesting facts and places that you had never known about. 

These are some of the places that the Jewish tour visits: 
  • Jewish History Museum
  • Statue of Jafuda Cresques
  • Montsion Church (site of the old Synagogue of Palma de Mallorca)
  • Current Active Synagogue
  • El Jonquet Neighborhood (site of old Jewish cemetery)
  • Santa Catalina Market
  • Memorial To Crypto-Judio Victims of The Inquisition
  • Santa Eulalia (Church of the Conversos)
  • Bakery (site of secret synagogue)
  • Carrer del Call (site of Jewish Quarter Gate)
  • Israeli Owned Pita factory
  • Current Active Jewish cemetery
  • Santa Eulalia (Church of the Conversos)
  • Potential mikveh finding in Inca

JewishMajorca
By Dani Rotstein
​Email: info@jewishmajorca.com
Phone: +34629694058
www.jewishmajorca.com

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5. Meet amazing Jewish people at Limud Mallorca 
Limud is an international Jewish organization founded in 1980. This Jewish educational charity started off as a gathering of people simply interested in finding out more about Judaism and Jewish living. Today Limud organized worldwide big events with the focus on Jewish exchange and learning. Since 2018 Limmud also exists in Mallorca and hosted its first big event with more that 100 participants in 2018.

Besides the annual large scale event with hundreds of visitors and famous guest speakers, Limud also offers free weekly Hebrew classes, Sunday Jewish day school for Mallorca's Jewish children and various Jewish workshops and events. 

www.limudmallorca.com

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6. Eat Falafel and Hummus in the Israeli Restaurants in Mallorca
When you are on a Jewish vacation in Mallorca you should not miss out to eat typical Israeli dishes in one of the Israeli restaurants on the island. Following I list all the israeli restaurants in Mallorca for you.

Santosha Restaurant in Palma de Mallorca
not kosher
Santosha offers an ecologic Israeli and Mediterran cuisine. The style is fresh, eclectic and down to earth. 
In it's private cinema they show Israeli and Jewish movies. 
www.santoshapalma.com

Simply Delicious Hummus and Falafel Restaurant in Palma de Mallorca 
vegan
In the romantic neighborhood Santa Catalina, Ronen combines fresh and healthy Estern Mediterranean cooking with typical dishes from his home country Israel, distinctive interior design and the Israeli happiness of those who eat the dishes he cooked.
www.simplydelicious.es
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NENI Israeli Restaurant in Port de Sóller
not kosher
Eating at NENI means sharing your food like a big loving family. NENI offers a variety of modern interpreted Israeli and Mediterranean dishes. 
www.nenimallorca.com

Balagan Israeli Bar in Palma de Mallorca
not kosher
Balagan offers an original mediterranean – middle east and balkans influenced menu. All the dishes on their menu are designed for sharing.
www.balaganbyetoh.com

Mana Pan Pita Israeli Pita Factory
Freshly baked Israeli Pita Bread 
www.manapanpita.com

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Kosher Food:
Buy kosher food in the Jewish community of Mallorca. The Jewish community of Mallorca offers kosher food, such as frozenkosher meat and kosher wine in a small store in the synagogue on Tuesdays and Fries 10 AM- 12 PM.​

Synagogue Palma de Mallorca
Carrer de Monsenyor Palmer, 3 - 07014 Palma
Email: cjibaleares@gmail.com

By Ilana Schiffner

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1 Comment

DANIELA
​AUGUST 12, 2019

WOW I have been in Mallorca so many times and didn't know that there are soo many Jewish activities! impressive!! Thank you for sharing this Ilana!

    Leave a Comment

About Me

Welcome to "Jewish by Choice"!
Quick facts about me: German, 26 years old, currently living and converting in Israel. Fascinated by Torah, Spirituality and Jewish values. Willing to discover Judaism in all aspects of life: travel, fashion, lifestyle, hobby, character refinement .. and motivated to inspire with my journey :)

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