Join Rabbi Adam Kligfeld on Temple Beth Ams Journey To Europe WARSAW - KRAKOW - PRAGUE June 19 - 28, 2011

  Itinerary

Sunday, June 19, 2011 Departing Los Angeles
2:50pm Depart Los Angeles on overnight flight.

Monday, June 20, , "There Once Was A World"
Arrival in Warsaw. You will be met by your Ramah Educator and local Polish guide. Warsaw sites. We will choose sites from among the following, as time allows: Warsaw Jewish Cemetery - explore 1000 years of Jewish life and culture via the gravestones of personalities from great Chassidic rebbes to Yiddish theatre actors and secular Hebrew writers. Krochmalna St. Orphanage (pre-WWII) of Dr. Janusz Korczak, the progressive pediatrician, author and educator who demonstrated courageous dedication to the children in his care Umschlagplatz. The deportation station; from here most of Warsaw's Jews were deported to Treblinka/ Ghetto Heroes Trail (Mila 18, Rapoport Memorial). Meet with members of the Warsaw Jewish community.
Overnight: Warsaw (Novotel Centrum, or similar hotel)

Tuesday, June 21, "Hope is the Last to Die"
Drive south of Warsaw to the shtetl of Gora Kalawaria. This was the hometown of the Ger (or Gerer) Chassidim. This will be our introduction to the world of Chassidism as we visit the monumental graves of some of the dynasty of Gerer Rebbes. We continue northeast to the Treblinka Death Camp. As World War II was coming to an end the Nazis destroyed the evidence of what went on there. We will learn about the camp and talk about the memorial that was constructed on location by the Polish government. Return to Warsaw; after dinner, an optional walk through Old Town Square.
Overnight: Warsaw (Novotel Centrum, or similar hotel)

Wednesday, June 22, Krakow: The Jerusalem of Galicia
Depart Warsaw heading towards Krakow Kielce - site of a post-WWII pogrom (July 4, 1946!), during which over 40 people (almost all of whom were Jews) were massacred. Arrive in Krakow. Visit the shul of the ReMa (Rabbi Moses Issrles, d. 1572) and the cemetery in it's back yard. Other sites in the Old Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz (that we didn't be visiting on Shabbat). The Tadeusz Pankiewicz Apothecary (pharmacy) - the story of a "Righteous Among the Nation". Oscar Schnidler's factory. Plaszow camp memorial.
Overnight: Krakow (Novotel Centrum Hotel or Similar)

Thursday, June 23, "The Banality of Evil"
Early morning departure in the direction of Auschwitz Daven in the renovated shul in Oswiecim. Extensive visit to Auschwitz and nearby Birkenau (referred to as Auschwitz II). Return to Krakow. Dinner and program (as time permits). 10:15pm - Depart on comfortable Overnight Train from Krakow to Prague.

Friday, June 24, City of a Hundred Spires
6:45am: Arrival in Prague, you will be met by your local Czech guide. Prague sites: Tour the magnificent Prague Castle complex, one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic. Stroll through Josefov, the Jewish Quarter, which dates back to the 13th century. Visit an array of Jewish synagogues and other institutions which have been preserved for hundreds of years. See the synagogue which the Nazis designated as the "Museum of an Extinct Race". The Altneushul (old-new shul) of the Maharal (Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, d. 1609) and Spanish, Maizel and Pinkas Synagogues. The latter serves as a memorial to 80,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust from Bohemia and Moravia. The Old Cemetery - perhaps the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe - a "tell" of 12 layers of Jewish graves, visit the tomb of the Maharal and other greats. Check-in to hotel and prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat services at a local synagogue. Group Shabbat dinner and processing session.
Overnight: Christie Hotel, Prague

Shabbat, June 25, Parashat Korach, Shabbat Returns to Prague
Shabbat Shaharit services at local synagogue. Walking tour of those sites that we have not explored before, including a variety of synagogues. Lunch and Shabbat rest. Havdalla service and free time in Old Town.
Overnight: Christie Hotel, Prague

Sunday, June 26, The Model Concentration Camp
Travel to Terezin (Terezinstadt), the "model" concentration camp set up by the Nazis to convince the world that life in the concentration camps was "not so bad." Though 30,000 people perished here, we will try to understand how those who survived managed to do so. Return to Prague; free evening to enjoy cultural activity (not included in tour price).
Overnight: Christie Hotel, Prague

Monday, June 27, The Czech Countryside
Check out of the hotel; store luggage. We spend today traveling into the Czech countryside to visit the fabulously preserved 15th-16th century ghettos and synagogues (restored painted ceilings) of Trebic or Boskovice. Other stops in the Czech countryside today, as time allows. Return to Prague for our farewell dinner.
Overnight: Christie Hotel, Prague

Tuesday, June 28, Transition: Am Yisrael Chai!! (The People of Israel Lives!)
Early morning exploration of Prague as time allows.  Transfer to Prague airport- fly from Prague to Munich to Los Angeles.

*Itinerary Subject to Change Without Notice