Journey through a Millenium of Jewish Life in Poland
Monday, June 10 — Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Join Rabbi Judy Schindler and Judy LaPietra on an experiential journey to Poland as we bear witness to the historical and present-day significance of Jewish life in Poland. This unique opportunity will begin with an exploration of the distinctive Jewish heritage in Poland prior to the Holocaust and an examination of the world that was. We will then trace the history and devastation of the Holocaust, with an emphasis on sites of remembrance including the former Jewish ghettos in Warsaw and Krakow, as well as the Nazi death camps of Majdanek and Auschwitz- Birkenau. We will experience the resilience of the Jewish community today in Poland and understand the present-day landscape of Jewish life.
PROPOSED PROGRAM*:
*subject to change
DAY 1: MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024
ARRIVAL IN WARSAW: THE PHOENIX CITY
A TJHT representative will meet all guests and transfers will be provided, based on arrival information provided to the TJHT.
We recommend that participants arrive by 2:00 pm. If participants would like to arrive earlier, TJHT will be happy to make additional hotel and transfer arrangements on their behalf.
TJHT can request, but cannot guarantee early check-in. Additional nights and services must be paid by the participant.
Transfer to the hotel and check-in
Time to rest and refresh
Welcome reception at the hotel
Guided introductory walking tour to the Old Town
Welcome dinner
Overnight in Warsaw
DAY 2: TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024
WARSAW: PAST MEETS PRESENT
Breakfast at the hotel
Session with Rabbi Judith Schindler
Guided walk to the Grzybowski Square and a visit to the Nożyk synagogue, the heart of Jewish spiritual life in contemporary Warsaw, the only synagogue to survive the war and communism, and now serves the Jewish community.
Special Meeting with Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich
Lunch
Van to the Okopowa Jewish Cemetery
Guided visit through the Okopowa Jewish Cemetery with cemetery director, Witold Wrzosiński
Return to hotel via van
Meeting with Dr. Dariusz Stola and Konstanty Gebert in the hotel
Dinner at the Warsaw JCC hosted by the JCC’s director with Jewish community leaders.
Leisurely walk back or transportation to the hotel
Overnight in Warsaw
DAY 3: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024
1,000 YEARS OF JEWISH LIFE IN POLAND
Breakfast in the hotel
Morning session with Rabbi Schindler
Van to POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Guided walking tour of POLIN Museum’s Core Exhibition
Optional: visit to the temporary exhibition (TBD)
Lunch at the Museum’s restaurant with a senior representative from POLIN
Guided walking tour of the former Warsaw ghetto area and the Umschlagplatz
Van to the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute
Guided visit, with Dr. Katarzyna Person, through the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute’s permanent exhibition of artifacts from the Ringelblum Archives of the Warsaw Ghetto, which were collected by Jewish researchers
Coffee and tea in the Taube Center, meeting with MiPolin – Polish Judaica designers.
Warsaw summary session Judith Schindler and Taube Center Staff
Drive to Praskie Centrum Koneser, a former vodka factory, in Praga.
Dinner in Koneser
Night/after hours tour of the Polish Vodka Museum, including vodka sampling
Overnight in Warsaw
DAY 4: THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024
WARSAW – LUBLIN: THE GATE TO THE EAST
Breakfast at the hotel
Check out
Luggage will be loaded onto the van
Drive to Lublin
Visit to Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin
Guided walk through the former Jewish district of Lublin
Lunch
Visit in the State Museum of the former German Nazi Concentration Camp in Majdanek, located at the outskirts of Lublin.
Short drive to Kazimierz Dolny a former shtetl, currently a charming artist retreat
Check-in, time to relax
Dinner
Overnight in Kazimierz Dolny
DAY 5: FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024
KAZIMIERZ DOLNY – TARNOW – KRAKOW
Breakfast at the hotel
Check out. Luggage will be loaded onto the van
Short stroll around Kazimierz Dolny
Drive to Tarnow
Guided visit in Tarnow including the Jewish Cemetery
Boxed lunch en route
Drive to Krakow
Check-in, time to refresh
Shabbat Services optional.
Shabbat dinner at the JCC Krakow with local community members
Overnight in Krakow
DAY 5: FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024
SHABBAT SHALOM
Breakfast in the hotel
Optional: Shabbat services/free morning (recommendations will be provided)
Lunch
Guided walking tour of the Old Town and its Jewish roots
Havdalah
Dinner on your own
Overnight in Krakow
Day 6: SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2024
SHABBAT SHALOM
Breakfast in the hotel
Optional: Shabbat services/free morning (recommendations will be provided)
Lunch
Guided walking tour of the Old Town and its Jewish roots
Havdalah
Dinner on your own
Overnight in Krakow
DAY 7: SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2024
KRAKOW’S KAZIMIERZ: KUZMIR – THE JEWISH QUARTER
Breakfast in the hotel
Morning session Rabbi Schindler and Dr. Edyta Gawron (Head of the Jewish Students Department at the Jagiellonian University)
Guided walking tour through Krakow’s Jewish district including its several historic synagogues and Remuh cemetery.
Lunch in Kazimierz
Visit to the Galicia Jewish Museum followed by a meeting with the director.
Walking tour of Podgórze, former ghetto area
Walk back to the hotel / Free late afternoon
Pierogi workshop dinner
Overnight in Krakow
DAY 8: MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024
AUSCHWITZ- BIRKENAU: GENOCIDE AND DEHUMANIZATION
Early breakfast at the hotel
Departure to Auschwitz Memorial and Museum (approx. 90 minutes drive)
Guided walking tour of Auschwitz I with Wojciech Smoleń
Lunch Break/Boxed lunch provided
Guided tour of Birkenau
Drive to Oświęcim
Visit to Auschwitz Jewish Center followed by debrief session
Auschwitz Jewish Center was opened to honor Oświęcim’s former residents and teach future generations about the Holocaust. The facilities include a Jewish Museum, a Synagogue, an Educational Center, and a cafe. The memory of its Jewish population is preserved in the Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue, the city’s only surviving Jewish house of prayer, and Cafe Bergson, located in the house of the last Jewish resident.
Drive back to Kraków (approx. a 90-minute drive)
Dinner on your own
Overnight in Kraków
DAY 9: TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2024
THE NATURAL WONDERS OF POLAND: WIELICZKA SALT MINE & VISTULA RIVER
Breakfast at the hotel
9:30 am Drive to the Wieliczka Salt Mine
10:15 am Guided walking tour of the salt mine
12:30 pm Return to Krakow
1:30 pm Lunch
3:30 pm visit to MOCAK, a contemporary art gallery or the Czartoryski Museum – with Leonardo DaVinci’s „Lady with an Ermine”
Recommendations for additional activities and cultural venues will be provided.
5:30 pm Boat cruise at the Vistula River
8:00 pm Farewell dinner
Overnight in Krakow
DAY 10: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024
DEPARTURES
Breakfast at the hotel
Group departure to the airport arranged by TJHT
fees per person
Prices in USD for orientation only