May 1: Arriving in Poland

Shalom to Parents and Friends of the beautiful class of 2017!

It is May 1 and I’ve just received a text message from Dr. Lasson who sends greetings from Warsaw. They were then on their way to Lublin. Suffice it to say, the kids are all exhausted – but very energized.

They started their trip at the Warsaw Cemetery and then proceeded to the last portion of the wall that still remains of the Warsaw Ghetto. They ate lunch at the Galil Restaurant, something that our BT groups have never experienced before (kosher restaurants are something new in Poland!) and then went to the Nozyk Shul, Warsaw’s only surviving pre-war synagogue. Here they heard from the rabbi of the shul about Jewish life in Poland now. After mincha at the shul, they then walked towards Mila 18 (those of you who have read the book Mila 18 by Leon Uris know what we are talking about) to discuss the Warsaw Ghetto and the historical information regarding that, and of course, all of the emotions of the people there. Their final destination of the day was Lublin (picture attached at what was once the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva which was taken over by the Nazis to become the regional headquarters of the German Military Police and is now a hotel).

Dr. Lasson concluded by saying there was lots of walking and learning and much more to come.

There is a picture attached of Dr. Lasson with Ray Allen who is a basketball hall of famer who was on their flight traveling to Poland because of his interest in the Holocaust. He saw our group and spoke to them about why he has this interest and to learn a bit from them.

We will continue to keep you updated. Have a very good day,
Zipora Schorr