The peninsula of Crimea, on the northern shore of the Black Sea, has been historically a land of different peoples and contested borders. It was once the territory of Greek colonies, then a province of the Ottoman Empire, later the naval base of Russia and until recently, the holiday resort of independent Ukraine. Today it is once again immersed in conflict.

Crimea also has a long history of Jewish settlement. Jews may have first settled here during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The legendary Khazaria state, whose elite converted to Judaism, was located here in the 8th and 9th centuries.

Two different Jewish communities lived side by side in Crimea for a very long time: traditional Jews and Karaites. We are going to visit Crimea and learn the differences between traditional (Rabbinic) and Karaite (Non-rabbinic) Jews. We will also talk about Jewish agricultural settlements, Zionist training camps and Soviet Jewish collective farms.

Then we will discuss the history and traditions of the Karaites in the Russian Empire, as well as their story of social and political success. Lastly, we will look at the Synagogues, Karaite praying homes (Kenesas) and old Jewish cemeteries.