Tour of the Jewish Colonies in Entre Rios and Santa Fe

The provinces of Entre Ríos and Santa Fe were privileged witnesses of the process that in the late 19^th century and the early 20^th century brought Jewish immigrants who had fled from persecution and left fear behind to start a new life of hope in a land promising freedom and employment, their “Promised Land”.

In 1888, families from Romania and Ukraine arrived in the colony known as Monigotes La Vieja. A year later, new immigrants settled close by, and established Moisés Ville (familiarly known as “The Argentine Jerusalem”), the most popular Jewish-Argentine rural settlement in the world. The tour ends in Palacios, Las Palmeras and Monigotes, and with fewer Jewish traces in Montefiore, Ceres and San Cristobal.

Argentine Jewish colonization, based on a rural project, gave way to the foundation of many villages and towns in Entre Rios, such as San Gregorio, Villa Domínguez, Carmel, Ingeniero Sajaroff, Villa Clara, Villaguay, Basavilbaso, among many others, and the creation of many schools, hospitals, temples, libraries, and cooperatives, many of which are still active. Today, this route is called “Historical Route of Jewish Colonies of the Middle Lands of Entre Rios”. 

Another tour, called “Tour of Arroyo Grande Jewish Colonies”, offers you the chance to visit General Campos, San Salvador and Ubajay. Nowadays, colonies preserve their rural features, including old Hebrew schools, ancient temples, mansions and cemeteries that stand the test of time. In the urban centers, you can get in touch with the contemporary Jewish community, which is very active and committed to the cultural life of their towns.