Discovering Jewish Civilization Around the Globe Jewish Life in Poland: Reflecting the Ebb and flow of Jewish History June 28 to July 7, 2016

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1 Study Tour Led by Dr. Glenn Dynner Professor of Religion and Chair of Humanities Sarah Lawrence College and Rabbi Adam Feldman The Jewish Center Princeton, NJ Introduction Explore the once-flourishing Jewish civilization in Poland with Rabbi Adam Feldman and Professor Glenn Dynner. Poland was once home to the world s largest Jewish population, giving rise to potent movements like Hasidism, Zionism, the Bund, modern Yiddish literature, and more. This unforgettable study tour features on-site learning in shtetls, synagogues, Hasidic pilgrimage sites, former ghettos in Warsaw and Krakow, and concentration camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau. By visiting these iconic sites, we will both commemorate the martyred millions and appreciate the diverse civilization they created. Tuesday, June 28 th Day One Travel to Poland The Itinerary Depart from JFK International Airport (scheduled 10:30 pm flight). Wednesday, June 29 th Day Two Arrive Warsaw Arrival in Warsaw Airport, 12:30. Introductions and check-in. Tour of Warsaw s Old Town, which was destroyed during the Second World War but meticulously reconstructed based on old photographs. Jewish residence was banned in the city from 1527 until But Jews continued to live there surreptitiously in such numbers that they were one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe before formal readmission! Welcome Dinner with greetings by Rabbi Feldman and Professor Dynner. Welcome Dinner Westin Hotel Warsaw

2 Thursday, June 30 th Day Three Warsaw Museum of the History of Polish Jews After breakfast we will have our first Learning Session with Professor Dynner on THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS OF POLAND. We will then visit Emmanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute, which contains priceless Jewish religious artifacts and paintings by Polish Jewish masters like Maurycy Gottlieb. Then we tour the Warsaw Ghetto monuments, including the bunker at Mila 18, where Mordecai Anieliewicz, commander of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, made his heroic last stand. After lunch on your own, we visit the new historic Museum of the History of Polish Jews, an architectural masterpiece with cutting-edge exhibits. The evening is at leisure in Warsaw. Breakfast Westin Hotel Warsaw Friday, July 1 st - Day Four- Otwock and Treblinka First, we travel to Otwock, where the Lubavitcher Hasidic court was relocated in We proceed to the town square, where Otwock Jews were gathered for deportation to the infamous death camp Treblinka. We then travel to Treblinka, and return to Warsaw. We visit to the historic, fully functioning Nozyk Synagogue for Friday night services and a Shabbat Dinner. Breakfast and Shabbat Dinner Westin Hotel Warsaw

3 Nozyk Synagogue Saturday, July 2 nd Day Five Shabbat in Warsaw After breakfast, we participate in Shabbat Services at Nozyk Synagogue (optional). Free time or optional walk with the group to Warsaw s Nowy Swiat district. Later, we celebrate Havdalah and watch the critically acclaimed film masterpiece Korczak by Andrej Wajda with our second Learning Session on THE WARSAW GHETTO. Breakfast and Dinner Westin Hotel Warsaw

4 Sunday, July 3 rd Day Six Góra Kalwaria (Ger), Przysucha and Kozienice In the morning, we visit the Old Jewish Cemetery in Warsaw and then drive to the town of Góra Kalwaria (Ger), which was both a Catholic pilgrimage site and home to the flourishing court of the Hasidic Rebbes of Ger, the largest Hasidic dynasty in Poland. We discuss Gerer Hasidic teachings and colorful tales about their Rebbes. During the day, we will have the third Learning Session on POLISH HASIDISM-PART 1. We also visit the Jewish cemetery there. We then drive to Przysucha, home to the earlier Pshyskhe Hasidic court. After lunch we visit the tomb (ohel) of the remarkably worldly Rebbe Simcha Bunem of Pshyskhe, discussing his teachings and tales. Then we visit the Oskar Kolberg Museum of Polish folk culture. Travel to Lubin. At leisure. Breakfast Grand Hotel Lublinianka, Lublin Monday, July 4 th Day Seven Kotzk and Lublin Today, we visit the town of Kotzk (Kock), former home to the fiery Kotzker Rebbe, discussing teachings and tales related to this famous dynasty. We then drive back to Lublin and tour the Old Town and Jewish Quarter, including Grodzka Gate and the former court of the miracle-working Seer of Lublin, the elite Yeshiva, and the Old Jewish Cemetery. During the day, we will have the fourth Learning Session on POLISH HASIDISM- PART 2. Lastly, we visit the concentration camp Majdanek, Dinner as group with a discussion led by Rabbi Feldman. Breakfast and Dinner Grand Hotel Lublinianka, Lublin Tuesday, July 5 th Day Eight Zamość, Leżajsk Today we visit the majestic Renaissance town of Zamość, whose first Jews were Sephardic merchants. We tour of Market Square and then proceed to the Jewish Quarter, where the pioneering Yiddish author I.L. Perets was raised. We read and discuss several of Perets masterpieces. During the day, we will have our fifth Learning Session: YIDDISH LITERATURE AND POLISH HASIDISM.

5 After lunch on our own, we proceed to Leżajsk. We first tour the famous Cathedral, and then proceed to the tomb (ohel) of the Hasidic Rebbe Elimelekh of Leżajsk, the region s first major Hasidic rebbe and one of Hasidism s foremost theoreticians. We discuss teachings and traditions related to Rebbe Elimelekh, and then proceed to the town of Rzeszow. At leisure. Breakfast Rzeszow Hotel, Rzeszow Old Market Square, Krakow Wednesday, July 6 th Day Nine Krakow Today we tour the Old City of the beautiful Renaissance city of Krakow. We tour the Old City, and visit the National Museum, which contains several masterpieces of Polish art. During the day we will have our sixth Learning Session on ZIONISTS, SOCIALISTS, AND YESHIVAH BACHURS: THE JEWS OF POLAND BEFORE THE HOLOCAUST. After lunch on our own, we tour the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz), including the newly restored Izaak and Remu Synagogues. Final Learning Session: THE HOLOCAUST. After dinner, we will have our Farewell Dinner. Breakfast and Farewell Dinner Sheraton Hotel, Krakow

6 Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Thursday, July 7 th Day 10 Auschwitz, Birkenau and Return to the US After an early breakfast and check-out, the culmination of our study tour is a visit the powerfully symbolic Auschwitz concentration camp, touring the Auschwitz Museum and the Birkenau death camp. Return to Krakow. Flights home: Krakow-Warsaw-JFK. The scheduled arrival to JFK International Airport is 8:45 pm local time. Breakfast Itinerary Subject to Change

7 The Scholar Glenn Dynner, Ph.D., is Professor of Judaic Studies and Chair of Humanities at Sarah Lawrence College. He is a Fulbright Scholar, Member of the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, and was the Senior NEH Scholar at the Center for Jewish History. He holds degrees from Brandeis University and McGill University; and is author of Men of Silk: The Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society (Oxford University Press, 2006) and Yankel s Tavern: Jews, Liquor, and Life in the Kingdom of Poland (Oxford University Press, 2013) For Questions and to Register For Travel Questions and Registration: Miriam Osman, Travel Consultant Gil Travel Group in the NYC Office miriamo@giltravel.com For Other Questions: Moshe Margolin, Director Jewish Explorations moshe@jewish-explorations.com The Registration Deadline is December 4, 2015 Special Features Professor Glenn Dynner will be conducting seven Learning Sessions during the study tour. Rabbi Adam Feldman will be leading discussions and teaching rabbinic texts during the course of the study tour. A Gil Travel Escort will accompany the group for the entire tour. A licensed local guide will accompany the group during your stay in Poland and provide background information. Round trip transportation from The Jewish Center to JFK and return is provided. Educational Materials Pre-Departure Bibliography prepared by Professor Dynner. Source Book prepared by Professor Dynner.

8 Price (per person) CATEGORY EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT* UNTIL NOVEMBER 20, 2015 REGULAR PRICE UNTIL DECEMBER 16, 2015 SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT FULL PACKAGE FULL PACKAGE TJC MEMBERS $3,845 $3,995 $595 GUESTS $4,145 $4,295 $595 *PAYMENT BY CHECK REQUIRED. Based on a Minimum of 20 Participants The above prices include: Flights DATE FROM/TO FLIGHT # JUNE 28, 2016 JFK/WARSAW LOT 027 JULY 7, 2016 KRAKOW/WARSAW LOT 3906 JULY 7, 2016 WARSAW/JFK LOT 026 Hotels DATE NIGHTS LOCATION HOTEL JUNE 29 TO JULY 2 3 WARSAW WESTON HOTEL JULY 2 TO JULY 4 2 LUBLIN GRAND HOTEL LUBLINIANKA JULY 4 TO JULY 5 1 RZESZOW RZESZOW HOTEL JULY 5 TO JULY 7 2 KRAKOW SHERATON HOTEL

9 Meals DATE JUNE 29 JULY 1 JULY 4 JULY 6 MEAL WELCOME DINNER DINNER DINNER FAREWELL DINNER PLUS BREAKFAST EACH DAY AT THE HOTELS Also Includes: Sightseeing and Transportation 9 days of sightseeing (plus a walking tour on Shabbat) including entrance fees to all sights on itinerary using a deluxe air conditioned motor coach and the services of an English speaking guide. Porterage 1 piece of luggage per person at each hotel and airport. Tips Tips to the guides, driver, and chambermaid are included. Tips for all group meals are included. Gil Travel document kit Bottled water on the bus Other Special Features Airport Transportation Round trip transportation The Jewish Center JFK International Airport via deluxe coach is provided.

10 The above prices DO NOT include: Travel Insurance Provided exclusively by Travelex, purchased through Gil Travel. Insurance can be purchased at: Meals and Alcoholic Beverages Lunches and dinners not mentioned in itinerary. Alcoholic beverages are not included and will be billed per consumption. Guests Guests for meals are not included and will be billed at the end of the trip. Personal Expenses All personal expenses including souvenirs, laundry services, valet service, phone calls, etc. SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS $500 deposit per person due with application by December 16, Balance due 60 days prior to departure May 6, CANCELLATION POLICY Cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received up to January 20, 2016 forfeit $ per person January 2, 2016 March 20, forfeit 25% of tour price per person March 21-April 20, forfeit 50% of tour price per person April 21, 2015 to departure no refund 2015 Gil Travel Group and Adult Jewish Learning Programs All Rights Reserved Reproduction without permission is prohibited by law.