Join a FREE Travel Info Session
This hour-long Zoom session will be hosted by Dr. David I. Bernstein, the October tour’s accompanying scholar. He looks forward to sharing information about the trip and answering your questions.
Please pre-register to receive the Zoom link for attendance.
Wednesday, March 26
Session Times by Location: 10:00am PT | 1:00 pm ET
Overview
Before World War II, Poland’s three million Jews was the world’s largest community (aside from the U.S.) and probably the most diverse and influential, with Hasidim, secular intellectuals, Yiddish writers, Zionists, and socialists.
Today, on the site of the Warsaw Ghetto sits a world-class museum devoted to the Jewish history that flourished in the country for a thousand years before the war. Jewish festivals attract crowds from across the globe. Multiple universities have even opened Judaic studies departments where graduate students have produced impressive publications documenting an astonishingly rich history. Jewish culture is being rediscovered, revitalized, and rebuilt in Poland.
Beginning in Warsaw, we’ll take a guided tour of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. We will visit remembrance memorial sites across the city, including the monument to the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the memorial of Mila 18, and the Umschlagplatz where Jews were deported to Auschwitz and Treblinka.
We will travel to Lodz to learn about the prosperous Jewish textile industry and the role Jewish residents played in this thriving industrial city. We also stay in Lublin and visit important Jewish landmarks and sites, from the tragic to the revitalized. From there, we will travel to historically rich Kraków, once home to a flourishing Jewish presence. We’ll explore the district of Kazimierz with its many surviving synagogues, a pre-war Jewish cemetery, and the largest medieval market square in Europe. There will also be a moving tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, as well as opportunities to reflect and discuss our experiences.
Along the way, Jewish Heritage Travel scholar Dr. David Bernstein will provide lectures and on-site commentary, supporting our learning in this land that is so pivotal to Jewish history, to help us honor the tragedies that took place here, appreciate the vibrant Jewish life that existed in Poland throughout the centuries, and witness the renewed Jewish culture that has taken root.
Highlights
- 11 nights of deluxe accommodations in Warsaw, Lublin, and Kraków
- Presentations and discussions with accompanying Jewish Heritage Travel scholar Dr. David Bernstein
- A guided tour of the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw
- A walking tour of the district of Kazimierz in Kraków, with its many surviving synagogues, a pre-war Jewish cemetery, and the largest medieval market square in Europe
- A visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and the Auschwitz Jewish Center
Itinerary
Friday, October 17 | Warsaw
Evening: Our tour begins this evening with an orientation to meet and get to know one another, followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel. Before dessert, we will hear a presentation by Dr. David Bernstein on “900 Years of Polish Jewish History” to help prepare us for all we will experience during our time together.
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodations: Bristol Hotel
Saturday, October 18 | Warsaw
Morning: Free time or the option to attend services at the Nożyk Synagogue, an easy walk from the hotel. Built in 1898, it is the only synagogue in Poland to survive World War II. We then take a guided walking tour of Warsaw that includes the Old Town, Market Square, and the Barbican (a surviving remnant of Old Town’s defensive structure), offering a rich experience of the city’s history, culture, and architectural beauty.
Afternoon: You are free to enjoy lunch on your own and explore the Old Market Square area, which is filled with street vendors, cafés, shops, galleries, and some of Warsaw’s top restaurants, all within a half-mile of our hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Bristol Hotel
Sunday, October 19 | Warsaw
Morning: Our day begins with a presentation by Dr. Bernstein entitled “Polish Jewry in the Interwar Years.” Afterwards, we visit the Warsaw Jewish Cemetery, the largest Jewish cemetery in the world. Many Jewish luminaries have been buried here over the years, and the cemetery comprises more than 200,000 marked graves, as well as the mass grave of victims of the Warsaw Ghetto. We will also stop at Janusz Korczak & Stepha Wilichenska’s orphanage.
Afternoon: We break for lunch on your own near the Jewish Historical Institute, followed by a guided tour of the institute. Here we encounter the Emanuel Ringelblum Archive, a unique collection of documents, diaries, letters, and testimonies that were hidden by the Jewish historian Emanuel Ringelblum and his colleagues during World War II. This archive provides vivid and personal accounts of the life and struggles of Warsaw’s Jewish community.
The evening is free for you to enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Bristol Hotel
Monday, October 20 | Warsaw
Morning: Our education continues with a featured lecture by Dr. Bernstein on “‘Operation Rheinhard’: The Destruction of Polish Jewry.” We then depart the hotel for a poignant visit to Umschlagplatz, where the Jews were gathered for deportation to Treblinka. We proceed on foot a short distance to Mila 18, which was the headquarters of the Jewish Fighting Organization (Zydowska Organizacja Bojowa, ZOB). The address became symbolic of the courageous resistance mounted by the Jewish community against Nazi occupation.
Afternoon: We continue our walk to the impressive Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, where you have lunch on your own at the museum’s cafeteria before our tour. We then have a private guided tour of the museum, which is an incredibly rich and comprehensive institution, offering visitors a deep and immersive look into more than a thousand years of Jewish life and culture in Poland. (Please note: For those who want to spend more time at the museum and explore exhibits of personal interest on their own, taxis are available to return to the hotel.)
The evening is free to enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Bristol Hotel
Tuesday, October 21 | Warsaw – Lodz – Warsaw
Morning: Today features an excursion to the city of Lodz, known as the Manchester of Poland, where Jews were an integral part of the textile industry in the early 20th century. Jewish families owned 175 factories in Lodz, including the I. K. Poznański factory, one of the largest textile plants in Europe. Now, it is a mall and food court, where we break for lunch.
Afternoon: We visit the Lodz Jewish Cemetery, once the largest Jewish cemetery in Poland, and the Radegast train station historical site, which was used extensively to serve as the Umschlagplatz for deportation of Jews to the extermination camps.
Afterwards, we return to Warsaw and have a shared dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Bristol Hotel
Wednesday, October 22 | Warsaw – Lublin
Morning: We depart Warsaw this morning for Lublin. Upon arrival, we tour the Grodzka Gate Museum and cultural center, which plays a robust role in preserving, celebrating, and educating on Jewish life and history in Lublin.
Lunch is on your own with free time to explore Lublin’s beautiful Old Town, with cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and a host of restaurants, cafés, and eateries.
Afternoon: Together, we visit Majdanek, a former Nazi concentration and extermination camp located on the outskirts of Lublin and one of the best-preserved Holocaust sites in Europe. We then go to the Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin. This former yeshiva played a central role in Jewish religious life in the city. Founded in 1930, it was one of the largest and most prestigious yeshivas in Europe before being destroyed during the Nazi occupation. The building has been partially reconstructed and now serves as a cultural and educational center.
In the evening, you are free to enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: IBB Lublin
Thursday, October 23 | Lublin – Tarnov – Kraków
Morning: This morning, we depart for Kraków. En route, we will visit the Old Town of the city of Tarnov, a charming historical area known for its beautiful architecture, including the picturesque Market Square or Rynek. This beautiful, spacious square is surrounded by historical buildings, including colorful merchant houses, cafes, shops, and notable landmarks like the Tarnów Town Hall.
Lunch is on your own at the Rynek, with free time to explore this charming part of Tarnov.
Evening: Once we arrive and check in to our hotel in Kraków, you have free time for dinner on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Kraków
Friday, October 24 | Kraków
Morning: We undertake a walking and driving tour exploring Kraków’s WWII history, with visits to the former Ghetto area to see the memorial on Deportation Square, as well as the site of Schindler’s factory and the remnants of the Ghetto wall from 1941.
Lunch is on your own in the historic Kazimierz District, which was the center of Jewish life for centuries before the war.
Afternoon: We regroup to visit the important Jewish sites of Kazimierz, once a vibrant Jewish neighborhood with synagogues, schools, shops, and cultural institutions. We see the Alte Schul, several synagogues, including the Remuh (built in 1553), Isaac (founded in 1644), High (built in 1556), and Tempel (founded in 1862); the former Jewish streets and marketplace; and the old Jewish cemetery.
Evening: After optional services at Remuh Synagogue, we share a Shabbat dinner together at the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Kraków
Saturday, October 25 | Kraków
Morning: You are free this morning, with the option to join Dr. Bernstein for local Shabbat morning services. Lunch is on your own.
Afternoon: In the early afternoon, we tour Wawel Castle, the seat of Polish monarchs until 1596, and visit the Wawel Cathedral and Dragon’s Cave. We then return to the hotel, where we prepare for our visit to Auschwitz the next day with a presentation by Dr. Bernstein.
Dinner is on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Kraków
Sunday, October 26 | Kraków
We spend today at Auschwitz-Birkenau, located around 45 miles from Kraków. We begin with a guided tour of Birkenau. Afterwards, we spend time at the Auschwitz Jewish Center, a short distance up the road, where we have lunch together and visit the center, which was opened in 2000 so that people could gather, learn, and remember the victims of the Holocaust. We then experience a guided tour of Auschwitz.
Evening: During dinner together, we have a chance to discuss and process our experience at Auschwitz.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Kraków
Monday, October 27 | Kraków
Morning: We return today to the Kazimierz district. This morning features a visit to the Galicia Jewish Museum, a prominent museum founded in 2004 and dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, culture, and heritage of the Jewish community in the region of Galicia, which historically covered parts of present-day Poland and Ukraine. The region was home to one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe before World War II.
You are then free to further explore the Kazimierz district, with lunch on your own.
Afternoon: The last stop of our tour is a visit to the Kraków JCC, which was founded in 2008 by the Lauder Foundation, with the aim of revitalizing Jewish life in Kraków and providing a welcoming space for the local Jewish community. JCC Kraków is one of the main organizers of the annual Kraków Jewish Festival, which celebrates Jewish music, food, culture, and history. The festival features concerts, performances, lectures, and film screenings, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world.
We return to the hotel and you are free to enjoy dinner on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Sheraton Grand Kraków
Tuesday, October 28 | Kraków
Individual departures to the airport for flights home.
Gallery
Traveling with you…
Each of our scholars are outstanding experts in their fields and play an active role in helping us design our journeys as well as accompanying us as we travel.
David I. Bernstein
Dr. David I. Bernstein has led more than 60 Jewish heritage trips to Europe. He brings a wide-angle lens to the story of Jewish life in Europe by illuminating the big picture of European history, while zooming in to intimate stories of the dynamics of Jewish life. The son of refugees who came to the U.S. after the Second World War, he brings a personal sense of mission to his work as he shares the story of these famous Jewish communities. David earned a BA, MA, and PhD from New York University and was a visiting graduate fellow at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He served for more than a decade as the Director of Midreshet Lindenbaum and for 25 years as the Dean of the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies, where he currently serves as Dean Emeritus.
Abby Ashkenazi
Abby Ashkenazi is a seasoned tour manager and accomplished facilitator in the world of Jewish education. A curious, history-loving traveler herself, as a guide, she collaborates closely with other travel professionals to create memorable experiences for tour participants. Abby is a graduate of Hebrew University in Jerusalem with degrees in Jewish History and African Studies and currently consults for the Consortium for Teaching Hebrew at Brandeis University. As the JCC Chicago Jewish Educator, Abby developed, designed and implemented Jewish-focused programming and travel. When not traveling, Abby splits her time between Chicago and Israel.
Accommodations
WARSAW: HOTEL BRISTOL
Situated on the famous Royal Route, in the heart of Warsaw, for over 100 years the 5-star Hotel Bristol has served as Warsaw’s most distinguished destination. With a majestic neo-Renaissance façade, romantic interiors, and Art Deco elegance, the Bristol is just steps away from Nowy Swiat—the most fashionable street in Warsaw. Recently renovated, the Bristol combines incomparable beauty and luxury with a prestigious blend of history and culture. The exquisite guest rooms reflect an engaging mix of comfort, discreet elegance, and state-of-the-art technology.
LUBLIN: IBB HOTEL GRAND HOTEL LUBLIN
The luxuriously sophisticated IBB Hotel Grand Hotel Lublin offers a classic blend of elegance and comfort in a meticulously restored historic building. its well-appointed rooms feature a harmonious mix of classic design and modern amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi and spacious bathrooms equipped with premium toiletries. Located in the heart of Lublin, the hotel is also home to one of the city’s most elegant restaurants, which showcases both international cuisine and regional specialities.
KRAKOW: SHERATON GRAND KRAKOW
Located at the foot of The Royal Castle, on the banks of the Vistula River, Sheraton Grand Krakow is the perfect gateway to exploring the city’s best dining, cultural, and historic sites, including Krakow Cathedral, Main Market Square, and Kazimierz district. Our 232 elegant rooms and suites, with the comfort of the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience beds and a full in-room entertainment package, provide a comfortable space to rest and relax. All our guests have access to the wellness area with a pool, sauna, and gym open 24/7. Foodies can indulge themselves in an extraordinary Italian culinary journey at Anima Restaurant or experience breathtaking sunsets at our Rooftop Terrace.
KRAKOW: BACHLEDA LUXURY HOTEL
The Bachleda Luxury Hotel is located just a few minutes walk from the Main Market Square and close to Wawel Royal Castle and other major sites. The rooms inside this historic 19th-century building are in a classic art deco style, with some offering breathtaking views of the Vistula bend. Common spaces are decorated with beautiful marble mosaics, golden ornamentation, crystal chandeliers, and charming fireplaces for timeless elegance. A fitness center, indoor pool, massages, and international cuisine at the hotel restaurant are all available to guests.
Details
Program cost: $7,450* includes:
- 11 nights’ accommodations at deluxe hotels
- Full breakfast daily; one lunch; four dinners
- All group transportation via deluxe air-conditioned coach
*Per-person, double occupancy; single supplement: $1,600. Fees not included: gratuities: $195; museum membership for nonmembers.
Travel note: Plan to arrive in Warsaw on Friday October 17 and depart from Krakow on Tuesday October 28.
Secure your place
Book Now: use the link below to reach our easy online booking form.
By phone: 845-256-0197 Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm EST.
Payment Reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 per person. Final balance is due 120 days prior to departure.
Membership Participation on these tours is a benefit for active members of our museum partners. During the registration process, you will be asked about your membership status with your affiliated museum. If you are not a current member, you will have a chance to activate your membership.
Participation Tour sizes are limited to 28 participants unless otherwise noted. Trips entail considerable walking including over uneven terrain. Participants need to be in good health, be able to keep up with the group, be able to experience group and cultural differences with grace. Please let us know if you have any physical conditions that may require special attention while on tour. For more information please see our FAQ page.
Cancellations All cancellations must be received by Jewish Heritage Travel in writing. Cancellations received 120 days or more prior to departure: full refund less nonrefundable deposits, per person; 119–90 days prior to departure: 50% refund per person after nonrefundable deposits. 89–0 days before departure: no refund.
Trip Cancellation Insurance Jewish Heritage Travel strongly urges all participants to purchase travel insurance for coverage of losses necessitated by having to cancel due to illness or accident. For your convenience, we are providing a link to Allianz Global Assistance, which many past participants have used. Please use code ACCAM/Agency ID# F026815 or feel free to use your own insurance agent. When purchasing insurance, please consider the plans carefully to familiarize yourself with what is covered. In this context, do take note that most insurance companies generally will waive exclusion for preexisting conditions only if your application is received by them within 14 days from the date of your program registration. If you have a preexisting medical condition and are interested in taking trip insurance, you should do so either with Allianz or through your own insurance agent within 14 days of registration.
Changes All rights are reserved by Jewish Heritage Travel to make scholar substitutions and/or to modify the itinerary (including hotels) as needed. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require the itinerary to be altered, Jewish Heritage Travel reserves the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. Any extra expenses incurred in this situation are the responsibility of the participant.
Disclaimer of Responsibility By registering for this program, participant specifically waives any and all claims of action against the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Jewish Heritage Travel office and their respective staffs for damages, loss, injury, accident, or death incurred by any person in connection with this tour. The Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Jewish Heritage Travel office and their respective staffs assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the service of any train, vessel, carriage, aircraft, or other conveyance that may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the passengers. Neither will the Museum of Jewish Heritage or the Jewish Heritage Travel office or their staffs be responsible for any injury, death, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity through neglect or default of any company or person engaged in carrying out the purposes for which tickets, vouchers, or coupons are issued. No responsibility is accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, viruses, weather, strikes, wars, and other causes. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for any reason whatsoever to alter the itinerary or arrangements, including hotels or scholars, such alterations may be made without penalty. All rights reserved to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at his/her own expense when such an action is determined by the tour staff to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety and that of the group in general. Prices subject to change. Cost in effect at time of registration will be honored.
