The site of Auschwitz-Birkenau

The wooden barracks, stretching off into seeming infinity as the gaps between them are shrouded in a thick white fog, the layers of barbed wire fence with pencil-trunked trees and green grass just beyond the environs of the camp. The atmosphere here is just as I’d seen it in the recurring bad dreams I’d had Read More

Posted by Admin on October 29, 2014
The complexities of Polish-Jewish relations

On the bitterly freezing day when we were on the market in Karzimierz, Daniel pointed me to a table of souvenirs with a curious collectible set: This was a replica of a seal used in the Lodz ghetto.  The text reads: “Der Aeltester der Juden.  Litzmannstadt”  (The Chair of the Judenrat.  Lodz ghetto).   I’ve seen Read More

Posted by Admin on October 29, 2014
Celebrating Shabbat in Krakow

It is hard to know where to begin in writing about the experience of Shabbat in Poland. Since I had never been here before, I did not know what to expect; now that I am here, I see that this was just as well, because Poland is unlike any other place I have been, and Read More

Posted by Admin on October 29, 2014
Exploring Krakow

The official start of the Legacy tour began midday Friday, the 24th with a meet and greet of all the participants with introductions around including the introduction of Dariuysz Kyzniar, to be our tour guide during the entire time of schedule tour in Poland.  He distributed earphones and receivers to each of us so that Read More

Posted by Admin on October 25, 2014
The modern state of Israel

Our travel portion of the journey has concluded, but our experiences and memories will always be with us. Below are reflections from the final days of the trip. July 10, 2012   Yesterday we traveled southwest in the direction of Tel Aviv. One the way we visited a unique farming program that educates groups on Read More

Posted by Admin on July 16, 2012
Remembrance and Reality in Israel

July 8, 2012 Today, we went to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. It was absolutely magnificent and well thought out. The museum focused on the remembrance of the unnamed victims of the Holocaust. We had the opportunity to explore on our own and fill our heads with so much information. The countless photos of people before Read More

Posted by Admin on July 9, 2012
Jerusalem

After our first few days in Jerusalem I can honestly say it feels like we have been here forever…. like coming home again. Enjoy our photos and reflections… tomorrow we venture south to the Negev and then on to Tel Aviv. You will notice the introduction of some beautiful photography taken by Alex, Legacy Tour Read More

Posted by Admin on July 8, 2012
Warsaw

July 6, 2012 Warsaw is 1000 times different than both Berlin and Krakow on the outside, and that was the first thing I noticed. It has much larger buildings, bigger lights and it is more like a classic city. But as we got more familiar with the synagogues and Jewish community I realized that it Read More

Posted by Admin on July 8, 2012
Shabbat shalom

Greetings from Jerusalem! We arrived just before sunrise, and the group is loving the rest and relaxation. We’ll post pictures and reflections tomorrow. Shabbat shalom!

Posted by Admin on July 7, 2012
In search of legacy in Galicia

Over the past few days we have traveled over 500 miles and through 500 years of history. We are still attempting to catch our breath, but at the same time stopping to smell the roses in each garden along the way. Tomorrow will be our final day exploring Warsaw and then off to Israel.  Enjoy Read More

Posted by Admin on July 4, 2012
reflections on Auschwitz- Birkenau

I didn’t know what to feel as we approached Auschwitz Birkenau. There was no dramatic music or flashes of tears or terror. I felt a more subtle kind of fear. The kind that starts as a small chill at the bottom of my spine or as a fleeting shadow when I’m home alone. It was Read More

Posted by Admin on July 3, 2012
Auschwitz Birkenau

Today we visited the site of Auschwitz Birkenau. There is a great deal to say and the students are doing so with amazing eloquence. Know that each participant felt so connected to their families at home through the letters you sent… the emotional impact stayed with them throughout the day. Helen was unbelievably strong and Read More

Posted by Admin on July 1, 2012
This is Peretz Wolf-Prusan, blogging in from Krakow

This is Peretz Wolf-Prusan, blogging in from Krakow, where we arrived from Berlin Friday morning.  We were met by our guide Kamala and whisked to the Stradomska Center for Dialogue where we learned a great deal about the revival of Polish Jewish life in a very short time with Dr. Karen Underhill, Taube Jewish Heritage Read More

Posted by Admin on June 30, 2012
Ich Bin Ein Berliner!

  Today we stood under the Brandenburg Gate and learned about the waves of history that have flowed through this gate.. from the Prussian Monarchs through the Nazi era and the fall of the Berlin wall. Including JFK and his famous declaration. This moment truly illustrates our cohort of amazing students. After viewing memorials to Read More

Posted by Admin on June 28, 2012
And we are off...

After 20 hours of travel and a quick stop over in London we have arrived to Berlin! After crossing the international date line we entertained ourselves with games of ninja and airport yoga and snacked on fish and chips while passing the time in Heathrow. Yvonne shares with us some of her first impressions: So, Read More

Posted by Admin on June 26, 2012
We continue to remember
The JFCS Holocaust Center is comprised of the Tauber Holocaust Library and Education Program, the Manovill Holocaust History Fellowship, the Speakers Bureau, the Day of Learning, the Oral History Project and the Zisovich Fellowships programs, as well as The Next Chapter Project. All of these organizations operate on the generous support of our donors.
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