May 23 (repost)

After a rough night on the sleeper train, consisting of not a lot of sleep for most of us, we arrived in the beautiful city of Krakow Poland. We met our tour guide for Poland, Alicja, and then traveled to the hotel. Since it was around 7 AM we were unable to check into our rooms so our luggage was placed into a holding room until we returned from our tour. We ate breakfast at the hotel, and shortly after headed to Kazimierz, the Old Jewish district. Here, we met up with our tour guide and walked around. We stopped and learned about the Old Synagogue, which got its name because it is the oldest synagogue in Poland. The synagogue is very important for the Jewish as well as Polish community. It has been rebuilt many times and was used as a Nazi storehouse during World War 2. It has since been rebuilt again, and is now used as a museum. Outside of the synagogue is a monument that is dedicated to the 30 people that were killed by the Nazis in that square. 

            We then walked over to the New Synagogue, which was built in the 1500s by the Father of Remuh. He was only 20 or 21 at the time, which prompted the saying that it is not the age that matters, but the wisdom. There was a special place added in the synagogue for women, and there is also a special chair that is always left empty for Remuh.

            From the New Synagogue, we went to the cemetery. Although they are next to each other, the synagogue and cemetery are not connected to one another. In this case, they are close due to the lack of space. The cemetery was ruined in world war 2, and was used as an illegal swamping place. The wall was built around the cemetery after WW2. The headstones were put back up, but the stone does not necessarily represent a marker as to who is buried in that spot. After the Nazis left, the stones were all mixed up. The only headstones that they are sure about is the headstones of Moses Ramuhs family. There is a legend that when someone would try to move the headstones, they would end up dead within a few days. We learned that stones are places on the headstones in cemeteries as a sign of respect, but also out of Jewish tradition. Back in Egypt, the Jews would be buried in sand, and then covered with stones so that wild animals would not eat the bodies. At the graves of Moses family, visitors now write wishes on a piece of paper and leave it there in the hopes that they will be granted.

            We then walked over to the High Synagogue. It is called the High Synagogue because the prayer room is on the first floor. This is for safety reasons. We learned that in order for Jews to settle somewhere, there needs to be a synagogue, cemetery, and a ritual bath. We then walked to the “Krakow Eye” which is in the Jewish square and is the center of trade from the 1900s. on our way to lunch, we walked by the “newish Synagogue” which has stain glass windows and is more modern, which is used for ceremonies and concerts.

            After some free time for lunch, we made our way to the Wawel Royal Castle. By this time, we were all pretty much ready to call it a day and go back to the hotel and sleep.  Although the castle was beautiful and there were a lot of interesting artifacts, we were just too tired to fully appreciate it. After the castle we went back to the hotel and had free time for the rest of the afternoon. We then all went to a Jewish restaurant for traditional Polish perogies and vodka, and listened to live Jewish music. It was a great time and a great way to relax after a long day.

Sarah Hart

May 17 ~ Day 4

Guten tag!

Today we were given an opportunity to travel in groups wherever we wanted. Our group formed a nine person alliance, strolling through Berlin like the Red Army in 1945. The group decided to return to the Brandenburg Gate for photos and further exploration. From there we meandered over to the American embassy in a pursuit of some national pride. After several pictures and cursory glances from the security guards, we departed for the site of Hitler’s demise, the Führerbunker. The location has been paved over and the only sign of the bunker is a literal sign for the bunker. It was odd juxtaposing such a significant historical site with the view of a full parking lot and several trees. For me, the decision to destroy the bunker and prevent the creation of a rallying point for future Nazis was a fascinating and well planned long term investment for the German people. The site itself was not impressive in any regard, which was perfect.

Embassy of The United States of Am[erica] (Source: Jennifer Fraunberger)

After leaving the site, encountering two blocks of construction, almost trespassing at two schools, walking 500 miles and 500 more - we finally arrived at the Topography of Terror. The museum stands in the footprint of the former SS headquarters and details the rise and fall of Hitler’s secret police. We only really had time to explore the timeline outside of the museum which depicted such events as book burning, executions, and the acts of terror done by Hitler’s enforcers. We did not get to go inside the museum as we had to leave for our next meeting with a very special friend -- food. Chris and I tried dürüm doner for the first time and it was both delicious and cultural. The pretzels we got at a street cart were not so delicious and cultural. They were stale and not at all like the Bavarian ones we had expected.

The Topography of Terror (Source: Chris Minitelli)

In the early afternoon we met with Reichstag member Harald Leibrecht. Herr Leibrecht is the Federal Government Coordinator for Transatlantic Relations as well as a good friend to The College of New Jersey. Our meeting touched on German-American relations, current events, and the complexity of the German political system. We proceeded to go outside and have a fantastic view of the Reichstag building and the governmental center of Berlin. Our time with Harald Leibrecht came to a close with a quick view of the committee meeting rooms. This then left us time to hunt down ice cream and the Chancellor before our tour of the Reichstag. Alas, while the quest for ice cream was successful, our heart felt pursuit of Angela Merkel was in vain.

Chancellor Angela Merkel (Source: Wikimedia)

We then explored the Reichstag and learned about its reconstruction efforts. The building is beautiful and still contains historical graffiti from the Soviet liberators of Berlin. Much was learned about the function of the parliament and we were given the opportunity to sit in the observation deck of the actual Reichstag floor. Ultimately, we departed from our tour guide and all proceeded to the roof of the building. We were able to climb the dome and enjoy a picturesque view of Berlin.

The Reichstag (Source: Wikimedia)

The day ended with a lovely dinner in Plotsdamer Platz. The main group of students split up into three subgroups with our five people heading to a German restaurant. Our quest for spätzle came to an end with a delicious meal of Zwiebelrostbraten mit hausgemachten Spätzle. After some stories and bonding between the five students and the two professors, we headed back to the hostel.  The day ended with an evening of cards, jokes, and a bit of actual work. Berlin is a wonderful, fascinating, and often very odd place to visit.

Prost!

~ Jonathan Dowler