About US

Siblings David and Heidi Wachs created the WanderingJews Facebook and Instagram accounts in September 2016 to document their travel adventures to historical synagogue buildings. The Wachs family has been traveling the world together, along with their friends, since their first international trip to England in 1987.  While on their adventures, David and Heidi began seeking out historic Jewish sites and landmarks including the Jewish quarter in Prague, the synagogue at the highest elevation in the world located in Bolivia, and synagogues in Cairo, Egypt.  Over time, they were inspired to begin documenting the places they had visited to educate and inspire others to learn about and visit lesser-known Jewish communities around the world. 

David and Heidi have always been interested in history and archaeology, and Jewish history in particular.  Growing up in New Jersey, they were instilled with a love of Jewish culture (especially Debbie Friedman), by their family, experiences in youth group and Hebrew School, and during their summers at camp.  Their Jewish identity was also shaped by being the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.  Together, they research the history of Jewish communities in the U.S. and abroad to identify potential WanderingJews trips. They have been fortunate enough to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with historic congregations in Alabama, Mississippi, and Montana that are seeking to share their stories as their membership fades. 

David works in IT in the finance industry in New York City.  When not giving pizza and Jewish history tours, David volunteers his time as President of 3GNY, a NY-based group for grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, and Chairman of the Board of the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy. 

Heidi works in data privacy and cybersecurity in Washington, DC. She volunteers on the JxJ Council at the DCJCC, is a co-founder of 3GDC, a DC-based group for grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, and an active member of Mesorah DC.