LETTERS FROM CUBA: A Jewish Literary Journey with Ruth Behar

May 15-21, 2025

Dear Fellow Traveler,

I'm Ruth Behar, and I invite you to join me in Havana, where we'll explore the unique story of Jewish Cubans--a story of resilience, cultural fusion, and deep-rooted community.

Together, we'll trace the footsteps of Jewish immigrants, visit historic synagogues like the Patronato, and engage with the vibrant contemporary Jewish community. We'll also delve into the broader Cuban culture, experiencing its art, music, and literature, and enjoying its warm hospitality.

As a Cuban-American Jew, this journey is close to my heart. I'm eager to share my insights and create a space for meaningful dialogue. Join me for an unforgettable experience that will enrich your understanding of Jewish identity and the enduring spirit of Cuba.

Warmly,

Ruth Behar
Author and Cultural Anthropologist

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Double occupancy: $4,660 (per person)
Single occupancy: $5,140

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Non-refundable deposits of $750 are due to Project Por Amor upon signing up to secure a space. Full payment of the final balance is due by February 15th, 2025.

Spots will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis, 22 travelers need to make deposits by January 15th in order for this program to go. All funds will be refunded if the minimum is not reached. We encourage you to sign up while there is still availability.

NOTE: Airfare is not included. Several flights on major airlines flying to Havana are available. You can purchase online or through your preferred agent. Project Por Amor will offer guidance on when to book and answer any questions you have.

PROGRAM PRICE INCLUDES:

  • Cuban Visa and U.S. licensing paperwork for support for the Cuban People travel

  • Medical insurance in Cuba

  • Flight purchasing guidance and pre-trip information on preparing for Cuba

  • Airport assistance in Havana

  • Accommodations for six nights at the privately owned boutique hotel La Alameda in El Vedado

  • Five lunches and five dinners at select paladares (Cuba’s best private restaurants) and daily homemade breakfasts

  • Engagement with Jewish-Cuban community including shabbat services and dinner at the Patronato Beth Shalom Synagogue, and other community events

  • A copy of the book Letters from Cuba / Cartas a Cuba for you and a Cuban

  • Cultural activities including a private performance with the Camerata Romeu, a bilingual book club discussion of Letters from Cuba, a symposium on Cuban and Jewish literature, neighborhood tours, and much more

  • Lectures, presentations, and discussions with Ruth Behar and other Cuban scholars, authors, spiritual leaders, and artists on the many aspects of Cuban society including literature, identity, art, society, and religion (see itinerary for details)

  • Afternoon/evening opportunities free to relax or explore individually with nighttime guidance to music concerts and other happenings

  • Scenic ride in 1950s American convertibles and luxury motor coach transportation with chauffeur for the whole program in Cuba

  • Trip hosted by renown novelist and cultural anthropologist Ruth Behar

  • 24-hour program management by expert U.S. tour managers and professional Cuban tour guide

Program price does NOT include:

  • Airfare from people’s home cities in the US to Cuba

  • Tips for Cuban guide, chauffeur, and chambermaids

  • Third-party trip interruption insurance

  • All other items not listed in ‘PROGRAM PRICE INCLUDES’

About Ruth Behar

Ruth Behar was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in New York. She is currently a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan. Known for her humanistic approach, Behar has conducted ethnographic research in Spain, Mexico, and Cuba, exploring themes of identity, immigration, and the search for home in our global era.

Her notable works include The Presence of the Past in a Spanish Village, Translated Woman: Crossing the Border with Esperanza’s Story, The Vulnerable Observer, and An Island Called Home: Returning to Jewish Cuba, and Letters to Cuba. She is also co-editor of Women Writing Culture, editor of Bridges to Cuba/Puentes a Cuba, and co-editor of The Portable Island: Cubans at Home in the World.

Her documentary, Adio Kerida/Goodbye Dear Love: A Cuban Sephardic Journey, has been featured in festivals worldwide. As a poet, her work appears in Burnt Sugar/Caña Quemada: Contemporary Cuban Poetry in English and Spanish and The Norton Anthology of Latino Literature.

Behar's accomplishments have been recognized with awards including the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Award, and a Fulbright Senior Fellowship, among others. She received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

If you missed our special online event about the Jewish cultural tour, you can catch up now! Here’s the recording of the session, where Ruth Behar discusses her book and shares insights about the journey.

This tour is produced in partnership with Qesher Jewish Heritage Travel. For questions about Qesher, please email: qesher.info@gmail.com

Legal Travel to Cuba

Our itinerary is designed to fully adhere to the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) §515.574 General License for Support for the Cuban People category of legal travel to Cuba. Each traveler will engage in a full-time schedule of activities that result in meaningful interaction with individuals and professionals in Cuba, enhance contact with the Cuban people, and support civil society in Cuba. Eating at privately owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), staying in privately owned hotels, shopping at stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropistas), and professional exchanges with the Cuban people are an important part of this program.

Project Por Amor is an artist-run organization that builds meaningful experiences through the arts, culture, and travel. We specialize in Cuba and Iceland, two unique islands on opposite ends of the Gulf Stream. Our extensive knowledge and close relationships with these two countries has allowed us to design specialized production and travel programs for organizations and individuals since 2009.

A trip of lifetime.

  • "Our experience in Cuba met and exceeded expectations. If we’d visited Cuba on our own we wouldn’t have had the opportunities and adventures afforded us. Every day was packed with fascinating education, beautiful music, connection with the people, architecture and art, and so much good healthy food!"

    Melinda Soules

  • "Five star all the way. Superb planning, timing and interests. Great leaders, lectures, sights, food, hotels experiences and transportation. Cannot imagine a better introduction and understanding of Cuba than we were able to attain from this travel opportunity. The other travelers in the program were an integral part of making the tour such a memorable experience. Thank you!"

    Loren Rice

  • "This trip to Cuba was honestly the best travel experience I've ever had. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, the activities were all amazing, and the leaders were beyond expectations. I can't recommend this tour enough. It was a great honor to participate in this once in a lifetime adventure. Thank you Sage, Freddie, and Ginger!!"

    Kathleen Elliot

SIGN UP TODAY!