About this talk

Estonia, the smallest of the Baltic countries, is known for its environmental beauty, and it's capital Tallinn is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.

This journey will take us through the history of Estonia and its Jewish community — a community that, though small in numbers and established only after 1865, has played a significant role in Estonian society.

Estonia's Jews, through periods of both peace and persecution, have shown a remarkable ability to preserve its heritage and rebuild after immense loss.

We will first learn about the Jewish community's commercial success in the late 19th century and discuss the "Jewish Cultural Autonomy" of the 1920s - 1930s, followed by the Holocaust and the Stalinist repression. Finally, we will arrive to the modern times, when the Jewish community was re-established in the newly independent Estonia.

As we explore these histories, you'll find common threads that highlight the strength of community, the value of cultural continuity, and the triumph of resilience over adversity.

About Daniel

Daniel Gurevich was born in Vilnius in 1979 and made Aliyah to Israel in 1997, before returning to Lithuania and becoming an expert in the travel industry.

Today, he is the General Manager of his family business, the travel agency Jerulita. His tours are conducted in Hebrew, English, Russian, and Lithuanian, and focus on Jewish heritage, religion, history, and culture in the Baltic States. The Holocaust and relations between Jews and local people are subjects of particular interest to him, and he conducts personal research in these areas. Architecture, especially Art Nouveau, is one of his specialties.

He enjoys working with people, and each tour gives him new energy for the next one.