Day #5: Monday, February 18, 2019 (Berlin, Krakow, Oswiecim)

We began a new chapter in this adventure today. We woke up at 3:00 am to catch a plane to Krakow, Poland. It was very cold and foggy when we arrived contrasting with the 50-60° weather in Berlin.

The first thing we did today was the Remuh Synagogue where we learned about the synagogue and saw many tombstones that are different than traditional tombstones we might see. Also, we saw a plate that honored Rena Finder’s family. Later we went to the Galicia Jewish Museum which was filled with many pictures in the order of a timeline with some background information on jewish life throughout many years. I found it to be very simple and informative.

Later on after seeing some other places we were able to explore around the Old Town Square and see many churches, castles and other forms of architecture. I was very interested in the gothic and medieval elements many buildings had. Many of them also had amazing statues leaning slightly off the roof.

​I have learned so much about Judaism and other European history on this trip and can’t wait to learn more as we explore the beautiful cities around us.

--Fernanda

Stepping out of the airplane we are greeted by a blanket of smog. Its noticeably colder than Berlin and we soon withdraw some local currency - the zlaty - after a short bus ride to Stare Miasto (Krákow old town).

After another short bus ride we arrive at the Remuh Synagogue. A beautiful synagogue which served Krakow’s Jewish community for centuries. Which was interesting because I had never entered a synagogue before that point. Another new experience I had today was when we visited the cemetery outside of the synagogue. I placed stones on tops of gravestones. In Jewish tradition, stones are placed on graves and memorials rather than the more commonly used flower. This is in part because stones, unlike flowers,  never die; they symbolize the permanence of memory. 

To end the day we were given free time in Krakow’s town square, where I visited a beautiful church. It was filled with worshippers showing how religious the Polish people are.

After that I visited the 13th century Wawel castle, which throughout its long history was the residence of Polish kings. Although we could not entire the castle itself we could walk along it, it was stunning nevertheless.

--Mahad
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