WHAT WE DO

We travel to the four corners of the earth in search of little-known Jewish stories in the familiar and unexpected exotic places. We set these stories against the broad background of the local history, culture, traditions, and beliefs.  Then, we share these stories with you in our lectures, books, blog posts, and magazine articles.

Our mission is to foster cross cultural diversity, tolerance, inclusion, and understanding around the world with an emphasis on Jewish history.

But wait, there is more! Over the years, we explored more than 70 countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and many islands. So, in addition to the fascinating Jewish history, we tell stories about exotic places, people, and cultures. Our followers keen on adventure and special-interest travel will find plenty of practical advice and useful information. Browse our blogs, come to our lectures, and we are sure that you will find something interesting to read, listen to, and watch.

RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

Most virtual and in-person lectures and other events are free and open to the public. Please check our schedule for dates and times.

November 8th, 2022  7:00 PM EST Zoom virtual event.  Irene Shaland will present her lecture “Rediscovering Portuguese Secrets: Little-Known Jewish History that Changed the World” hosted by New City NY Library.
November 13th, 2022 at 7:00 PM EST.  Zoom virtual event. Irene Shaland presents her lecture “Face-to-Face with Africa Through the Eyes of a Jewish Explorer” Hosted by Temple Emmanuel of Wakefield, MA.
December 16th, 2022  at 7:00 PM EST. Free in-person  event. Alex Shaland will present “Storytelling with Photos hosted by The Cleveland Photo Fest at the Bostwick Design Art Initiative Building, 2731 Prospect Rd, Cleveland, OH 44115. 
December 20th, 2022  7:00 PM EST. Zoom virtual event. Irene Shaland will present her lecture “The Hidden History of Jewish People on the Islands of Madeira and Azores and the Unsolved Mystery of a Sefer Torah” hosted by New City NY Library.

January 13th, 2023 at 6:00 AM EST.  Zoom virtual event. Irene Shaland presents her lecture Revealing the Secrets of Jewish History in MaltaHosted by Abraham Presentations, U.K.

September 9, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm,  Alex Shaland will present his children’s books “Jackie the Penguin Goes to Madagascar” and “Jackie the Penguin Goes on Safari” at the Loganberry Books Children’s and illustrated books annual event.

Event Location: Loganberry Books  13015 Larchmere Blvd.  Shaker Hts., OH 44120 Ph: 216.795.9800

For a complete list of our lectures and photography shows please see our Schedule 

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PROGRAMS OFFERED

Ready to Travel the Jewish World? We will take your interest group on a virtual trip to the most exotic and unexpected places on earth searching for treasures of Jewish history. Our Memories of the Holocaust series examines the painful past and often controversial present. Based on our exploration journeys around the globe and first-hand experience, our Meet New People and Cultures series will open new horizons and foster cross-cultural diversity and understanding.

  • Great Synagogue of Burma
  • Berlin Holocaust Memorial
  • Irene Shaland enters Masai village surrounded by Masai Women

What audiences say: “Last night’s presentation… was simply mind-blowing! I wish you could turn it into a documentary or a movie. Obviously, the questions that you are posing are not just about Jews, they are about tolerance, humanism, and probably even fate of the civilization.” – J.M. Read more audience comments.

Select Blog Posts

SELECT BLOG POSTS

A few select blog posts below will give you a good idea about our writing. In our complete blog roll, you will also find announcements about upcoming events you may want to attend, book releases and promotions, links to our articles published in various magazines, and articles written by contributing editors.

Sardinia

Discovering Jewish Connections in Sardinia

Sardinia is an island famed for its unearthly beauty. Sardinia is second only to Sicily in its size among the Mediterranean islands. Like Sicily, Sardinia attracted waves of invaders: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, the Italian city-states of Pisa and Genoa… [Continue reading this blog post]

Masai people

Masai – the Lost Tribe of Israel

As we drove through the vast plains of Masai Mara and Serengeti reserves, we saw the light-skinned, tall, slender people dressed in red. Surrounded by their herd of cattle, they leaned on their long spears or stood on one leg. Bearing remarkable similarities to ancient Romans from North Africa, most had classical profiles, wore red togas and sandals… [Continue reading this blog post]

Mr. Jin

Preserving Jewish identity in China

Kaifeng, China. We are at the oldest Jewish burial place in China – with Mr. Jin in front of his life-long project, his family memorial. Our new friend dedicated his life savings and his entire life to create this marble memorial book which presents – engraved in English and Chinese – the 900-year story of Mr. Jin’s family within the context of Chinese history… [Continue reading this blog post]

Magen David Synagogue, Mumbai, India

Meeting the Jewish Community of Mumbai India

Jews settled in Mumbai (Bombay) in the 18th century. First, the Baghdadi arrived in the 1730s. Then, the Bene Israel began migrating from the countryside into the city in the 1740s. Today, Mumbai has the largest Jewish community in India: 3,500 to 4,000 people, most of whom are the Bene Israel… [Continue reading this blog post]

Girls playing a ball mosaic in Villa Romana

Villa Romana Sicily – Must See for Italy History Buffs

Villa Romana del Casale located in Piazza Armerina in the Sicilian heartland is a not-to-be missed site for all history and art enthusiasts. It is a treasure trove of the best Roman mosaics in existence today. Built in Sicily in the 4th century AD by Marcus Aurelius Maximianus who was Roman co-emperor during the reign of Diocletian (286-305 AD)… [Continue reading this blog post]

Click here to browse through all short articles, announcements, and descriptions of events.

SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS

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4 months ago

Global Travel Authors
Review of "Jackie the Penguin Goes on Safari"By: 5th Grade StudentLink to book: amzn.to/3FjmS6Q “(CHAPTERS 1 AND 2) In the first chapter when the penguin says their name it seems funny that they talk. But also the pictures are really detailed and realistic! Not just that but the detail and writing sounds like we are actually in the story, not just in it reading. Some books I just look at but here is one I can actually enjoy and picture myself in! It is funny to see Jackie is in Africa where not most penguins live here in real life. I think most Land animals live there in Africa, penguins are sort of a mixture of land and water animals. I like how they mentioned that they are a bird but one that can’t fly. Real facts are always good for people just so they don’t get confused on what is real and what isn’t. New friends are very rare to see in person so it makes it more fun to read when there are true facts like I said and not just facts are good but the illustrations seem better than I can draw!! ( CHAPTER 2 THROUGH 10) It is nice that you mentioned the United States in the book. Usually all books I read don't include that in there so it's amazing that they included our hometown. Not to mention the writing and detail they put in the words, JUST AMAZING! Once again in chapter 3 there are great facts! Along the way I saw how Alex and Irene are humans and Jackie is a penguin. How do they communicate really well? I actually think that the storytelling is really nice, But there was one part where I could think you guys needed to describe more about because I saw that in some parts there are definitions on the side so maybe do that? About their communication, no harm or bad stuff I've thought about yet!(CHAPTERS 3 THROUGH 10) In these chapters it seems like Irene, Alex and Jackie are getting along to the point where they can travel together WHICH IS WHAT THEY DID! And, how does Jackie survive in Africa with not a lot of water? Maybe you guys could include penguin friends that Jackie meets? Other than Alex and Irene maybe?(CHAPTERS 11 THROUGH 13) These chapters were Awesome, I really think Jackie might need another book! (CHAPTERS 14 THROUGH THE END) I absolutely love the “who is little tommy” chapter, it is so cute and nice learning about tommy and the wild safari animals. It was funny at the end when Jackie asked if they were going to see “THE FASTEST ANIMAL ALIVE” which is true because cheetahs are very fast, faster than a normal cat! Impressive! I enjoy the waterbuck because I learned that they live in swampy and grassy areas like I don't think they would survive in a desert cause there's no swampy areas. For kudu the great I think those facts were amazing! They helped me to learn a lot more about Kudu! The Antelope with blue legs chapter was funny and also makes me want to learn a lot more about antelopes! I went to see actual safari animals yesterday and I saw a ZEBRA!! I can’t think of anything about the zebra page because I was focused on how good it was. I can’t think about anything else that has problems or something we should change, the book was amazing!Link to book: amzn.to/3FjmS6Q ... See MoreSee Less
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