As the second week of Journey Europe comes to a close and our teens prepare for a beautiful Shabbat evening, the triumphs and trials both of the week come to light: changing hotels and weathering weather events (ha) have tested the adaptability of our teens and staff to make the most of difficult times.
In doing this, they have made way for fun and memorable experiences to take the spotlight instead: taking in the beauty of Eastern Europe’s natural beauty, relaxing and bonding with friends at historical thermal baths, and enjoying close-knit Havdalahs are among the favorites.
But for many of our participants, their time exploring ancient Ashkenazi history stood out the most, whether that be within the harrowing walls of Auschwitz or walking down cobblestone streets that witnessed the laughter of Jewish children hundreds of years ago.
One participant on Journey Europe Bus 2 describes a particularly memorable experience below.
“I really enjoyed seeing the Jewish Quarter of Budapest. Being able to see where the Jewish people of Budapest prayed for many years was very important to understanding the different Jewish cultures of Europe. The synagogue was designed with ornate details and I enjoyed seeing the meaning it had to the people who prayed there. Along with that, seeing the Shoes on the Danube Bank was something I found a lot of value in. Seeing a community of all kinds of people come together to mourn was very touching. Overall being able to see the good and the upsetting parts of Judaism in Budapest was very impactful.” – Serena Levin
It is a special privilege to bring this solemn yet deeply enriching experience to teens on our trips. Balancing fun with Jewish connection is a task we find fulfilling to master. As the trip continues, our chanichim will continue to explore Eastern European Jewry and feel that awe-inspiring connection to ancestors that we don’t know, but can feel their resilience in our existence today.
We cannot wait to tell you more about your teens’ experiences next week as they travel through Prague and Vienna, taking in their unique Jewish history and expressing Jewish joy as they bond, laugh, and learn together. Nature trails, amusement parks, museums of Jewish history, and castles that will continue to witness history await your teens in preparation for what will be their final Shabbat with Yallah! Israel.
Shabbat Shalom!
