"A priceless asset to any traveler whose goal is to explore the Jewish past of these two historical countries."
--The Jewish Advocate
The author follows in the footsteps of his namesake, the rabbi explorer of the twelfth century, Benjamin of Tudela, to create the first all-encompassing guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine, with stops in Bulgaria and Romania.
Until Communism fell, the Jews of Russia and Ukraine had been suppressed and denied human and religious rights. Today, not only are they reborn, but they are rebuilding a new, vibrant community for the twenty-first century. Frank explores this rebirth and guides both first-time and experienced travelers to Jewish and historical sites. He profiles synagogues, monuments, and schools that can be found in such cities as St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, Odessa, and even Kishinev in Moldava.
Approximately 120 years ago, the majority of the world's Jews lived in what was called the "Pale of Settlement" in the Russian Empire. Most American Jews today trace their ancestry to Russia and the surrounding territories, especially Ukraine. A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia & Ukraine will aid those visiting places where relatives once lived, as well as those simply in search of history.
"An excellent guide. . . . You can travel emotionally to a great past and the reborn present of Jewish life."
--Yaffa Eliach Ph.D., author, There Once Was a World: A Nine-Hundred-Year Chronicle of the Shtetle of Eishyshok
"An engrossing guide to a world that should fascinate Jews and non-Jews alike. No understanding of contemporary Russia is complete without recognizing the history and contributions of the country's Jewish communities."
--Christopher Hunt, former executive editor, Travel & Leisure
"I have read with fascination [Ben Frank's] new travel book on Russia and Ukraine. It is a welcome addition to my library of indispensable travel books."
--Gabriel Levinson, travel editor, The Jewish Week
"I, myself, visited Russia twice last year . . . without ever having left my armchair. Whether you actually journey to Russia or the Ukraine or only choose to read about it like me, Ben Frank is the guide you want to take along."
--Lewis Burke Frumkes, director, Marymount Manhattan College Writing Center
Author Ben G. Frank follows in the footsteps of his namesake, the much-traveled rabbi of the twelfth century, Benjamin of Tudela, as he ventures eastward from Jewish Europe with this first-ever guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine.
No longer suppressed or denied religious and human rights by Communists, Russian and Ukrainian Jews are rebuilding. They welcome visitors to witness their steps to the future and to explore the richness of their past.
From the Piskaryovskoye Cemetery in St. Petersburg to the quaint Museum of Modern Jewish Art in Moscow, and the somber Babi Yar Monument in Kiev, Russia and Ukraine offer a multitude of sites of Jewish interest for visitors.
One of the reasons for this vast number of historical attractions is that, a century ago, this area was home to the largest Jewish community in the world. Today, the United States holds that distinction, and the majority of American Jews can trace their ancestry to this area. This guide points to these roots, while simultaneously assisting others in exploring the rich history of the region.
Ben G. Frank, a journalist and a consultant to airlines and tourist offices, is president of the Frank Promotion Group. He has frequently traveled to Russia and has spent years researching this book. A member of numerous international press organizations, he has published articles in magazines and newspapers worldwide and is known as one of the most authoritative travel writers on Jewish communities and culture. Frank also is the author of Pelican's A Travel Guide to Jewish Europe, which has been called "full of of interesting tidbits" by the New York Times.
