For years, my own Jewish heritage has motivated me to explore local Jewish history in some unexpected places. In Iran several years ago, my sister and I took a night off our group tour to visit Molla Jacob Synagogue in Isfahan, where we were welcomed by the congregation, celebrating the Sukkot holiday. An English-speaking local offered insight into the history of the Jewish community in the city, now numbering about 1,500. That night was one of the highlights of our trip.

Though our visit was independent, a wide range of companies worldwide specialize in Jewish historical tours, including one I joined for a day in Buenos Aires, where my grandfather had passed through while escaping persecution in Eastern Europe decades ago.

Jewish Buenos Aires Tours visits places I saw, including the site of the terrorist bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 and the site of the bombing of a Jewish community center in 1994, as well as the city’s oldest synagogue, Templo Libertad.

Tour company Jewish Heritage Travel has seen a boost in business since the Hamas-led attack in Israel last Oct. 7, despite ensuing worldwide tensions. “Rediscovering your roots is becoming quite an important thing,” said Luis Arteaga, CEO, Jewish Heritage Travel. Morocco and Cuba are popular destinations with the company, including tours of Old Havana visiting Cuba’s remaining synagogues.

Michael Steinberger, founder and CEO, Jewish Heritage Alliance, which focuses on the saga of Sefarad — history of the Jews of the Iberian Peninsula — said while JHA’s tours to Portugal and Spain cater to those attending JHA’s webinars, this year JHA is launching Jewish Discovery Tours for the public.

Ayelet Tours specializes in Jewish historical tours around the world, including Israel, though those trips have not yet fully returned due to the current political tensions. Its Traveling University tours in Europe are led by scholars and include lectures along with visits to local Jewish communities.

Rachel Kaplan, president, European Jewish Heritage Tours, said the company includes Jewish and secular history in its white-glove, private tours, which range from Paris to Amsterdam and beyond. “We feel strongly that if people are visiting a country, they have to know about the surrounding society.”

Stateside, options include everything from tours with New York’s Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy to Southern Jewish Heritage Tours with Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life.

Also find a wide range of Jewish history tours online with Totally Jewish Travel, including tours of Budapest with Jewish Visitors’ Service and a Danube River cruise with Kosherica. The site bills itself as a meeting point for Jewish and kosher travel and leisure.