Saving the Bulgarian Jews from Treblinka with Dr. Benatov This year marks the 80th anniversary of two interconnected events. First, 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of the rescue of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews from deportation to Treblinka by the Bulgarian Government. But tragically, it is also marks the 80th anniversary of the Bulgarian compliance with German demands to deport almost 11,400 Jews from occupied northern Greece and Yugoslavia.

Joseph Benatov holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches Hebrew. He is originally from Bulgaria and a member of Sofia’s Jewish community. Joseph has over 20 years of experience leading travelers across the Balkans, including UNESCO representatives, 92nd Street Y visitors, JDC board members, and Anti-Defamation League officials. He lectures regularly on the history of Jewish life in Bulgaria and on Balkan Sephardic culture. Every summer Joseph leads Jewish heritage tours to the Sephardic Balkans. You can find out more at https://sephardicbalkans.com/ Join Rabbi Tobin for Evening Services and a special Memorial Ceremony immediately following.