Jewish Kiev

“Pessimism is a luxury that a Jew can never allow himself.”
— Golda Meir

The century-long history of Kyiv is inseparable from the history of its Jewish community, whose roots date back to pre-Christian Rus. Prominent manufacturers and merchants, engineers and lawyers, writers and artists all shaped this city. Future political leaders of Israel — Golda Meir and Ephraim Katzir — were born here. The great writer Sholem Aleichem lived and worked in Kyiv. This tour takes you through the places that tell the story of Jewish Kyiv — from the grandeur of the Central Synagogue to the solemnity of Babyn Yar.

Tour Highlights

Central Synagogue (exterior) · Sholem Aleichem monument · Babyn Yar memorial · Golda Meir’s birthplace house

✦ The list of objects and the route may vary depending on traffic conditions and operating hours. We do not enter the synagogue during this tour.

What You Will Discover

• When was the Central Kyiv Synagogue built?
• Why did the shootings at Babyn Yar begin?
• Who was the chief Maecenas of Kyiv?
• Where was Golda Meir born?
• Why is Podil called “Little Odessa”?
• Why were Jews forbidden to trade at the Jewish market?
• How many Jewish pogroms took place in Kyiv?

Good to Know

✦ Duration: 4 hours by private car

✦ Inside the synagogue: not included in this tour

✦ Languages: English, Ukrainian, Russian — other languages available on request

✦ Pick-up: included from the city centre of Kyiv; pick-up from outskirts or suburbs available for an additional fee

✦ Dress code: casual

✦ Tour starts at a time convenient for you

✦ Available 7 days a week

✦ See photos from our tours in the photo gallery

Your tour will be led by a professional guide with deep knowledge of Kyiv’s Jewish heritage — its history, its tragedies and its remarkable people who changed the world.

Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Jewish Kyiv tour last?
The tour lasts 4 hours by private car.

Do we enter the synagogue during the tour?
No. During this tour we view the Central Synagogue from the outside only.

Where does the tour start?
Your professional guide will meet you at your hotel or any convenient location in the city centre of Kyiv — pick-up is included in the tour price.

Is this tour suitable for Jewish visitors making a heritage trip?
Absolutely. The Jewish Kyiv tour is especially meaningful for visitors with family roots in Ukraine, as well as anyone interested in the history of the Holocaust and Jewish culture in Eastern Europe.

What languages is the tour available in?
The tour is conducted in English, Ukrainian, and Russian. Tours in other languages — German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Hebrew and more — are available on request.

How do I book the tour?
Submit a request on the website or contact us directly: +380 96 370 33 83 (WhatsApp / Viber / Telegram).

More Kyiv Tours

• Dark Tour of Bucha and Irpin — War History Tour
• One-Day Dark Tour: Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Horenka & Moshchun
• VIP Sightseeing Tour of Kyiv by Land Cruiser Prado

Want to book this tour or ask a question? Book your tour or call us: +380 96 370 33 83 (WhatsApp / Viber / Telegram).