Journaling 101

Over the next few days, it is my aim to get a written piece from each of the students on this blog.  We will be journaling throughout our time to reflect on what we are going through, seeing, feeling, etc.  For their first entry, the students were asked to think about why they were on the trip, what their expectations were, and what they hoped to walk away with at the end.   Here’s what some of them said:

Abby G.:  I am currently sitting next to Zach and Sofia on the plane.  We are on our way to Prague and are about to take off…we are now in the air.  Tonight we are going to a Liberal Jewish temple for Shabbat and tomorrow we are going to an Orthodox temple.  I have never been to an Orthodox service before and I am excited to compare the two different experiences.  I am especially interested in going to the concentration camp.  In Washington, D.C. we went to the Holocaust Museum and just being around different objects taken out of concentration camps was moving.  I cant even imagine the emotions that I will be feeling when in the camp.  I hope to learn about the interesting history that I know the city has and I can’t wait for this amazing trip to begin.  I feel as though there are many lessons to learn and I am very interested in seeing how the way they practice Judaism differs or is similar to our own.  I can’t wait to see how they take the same morals and values practiced all around the world and integrate it into their culture.  I am so thankful for this opportunity!  I am going to be in an extremely interesting and beautiful city with people I like – how could I not have a good time!? 

Joseph L.:  (11:51am, flying from London to Prague)  After reading the itinerary, I began to formulate some ideas and expectations about the trip.  I knew I would gain the valuable experience of visiting a new country as well as amore extensive knowledge of Jewish history.  More importantly, I expect to build new and strengthen some old connections.  After traveling for six days with someone, whether or not you knew them before the trip, it is inevitable that you will be much closer to them by the end.  However, it is not only people that I expect to build connections with, but the city as well.  If I’m lucky, this trip will be everything I expected and more.  P.S. Love you Mom, Dad, Jon, and Tiger.  See you when I get home!

Sofia S.: We are about to take off for Prague from London and I am not excited for another plane ride (my ears are still plugged!) even though it’s only an hour and a half.  I am very excited to see the sites and experience the difference in culture in Prague.  I have a personal connection to Prague, because my grandfather and his family lived there for generations up until World War II.  I have never been to a Holocaust Museum, so I am both eager and reluctant to go to Terezin because I have no idea what to expect.  Right now it is a possibility that we will go to a show that is done in black light with neon colors, but I really want to see it because other friends of mine have told me about it.  I truly and eager to take note of the differences between Eastern Europe and New York.  I am really glad that I am witnessing Prague as well as Eastern Europe for the first time with my friends from Central Synagogue.  Due to our busy schedules I hardly get to see them, so I am really glad that I get to spend these days with them.  I find it important for us to spend time together in a Jewish context and exploring our Jewish history.

“From the desk of Jason L.”: (11:51, flying from London to Prague, sitting across the aisle from Joe) While the itinerary expressed an enticing agenda, it can’t possibly fully prepare our class for the beautiful, and yet, educational elements of Prague.  We are all eagerly waiting the adventure that will unfold once we reach the city.  Much of the first part of the day will be dedicated to soaking in the gorgeous national beauty of the city while we are simultaneously educated on our Jewish past.  The Jewish area of the city will offer us insight into the ways of Jewish life that we have never experienced, so we are all looking forward to that. Many of us have visited a Holocaust Museum, but visiting Terezin is sure to be different than anything else.  The values that will be instituted to the participants of this trip will not only be educational, but a more diverse depth of Jewish culture.  We are all very excited for the opportunities we have been given to explore another “look” of Judaism.  We are sure it will be a great trip!

First Day (and a half)

We are happy to report that we have arrived safe and sound, and have just finished up a very nice Shabbat evening.  Our flights went very smoothly – some of us slept more than others – and we arrived in Prague to see snow on the ground.  We were met at the airport by Shlomo, our guide, and then at the hotel by Shelly, another person here to make sure we have the best experience possible!

Once we settled into the hotel, we took a leisurely stroll to Beit Simcha – the liberal Jewish community here.  Services were familiar at times and difficult for some of us to follow at other times.  We were definitely welcomed into the community nicely though!  After services, we walked to the Jewish Community Center to have dinner together.  After that we were lucky enough to have a friend of Cantor Sacks come and speak to us about Czech Jewry.  He happens to be pursuing his PhD. in the subject, so it was very informative for us.

Here are a few pictures since we've been together (in no particular order):

At JFK before our flight to London

Dinner party @ JFK

Sweet tooth

Jerusalem Street Synagogue, Prague

Jerusalem Street Synagogue invites all who are righteous to enter.

The old City Hall

The Grand Hotel Europe

Shlomo leading the group

Jackie, Joe, Noah, and Sabrina

Shlomo teaching us about the nonviolent revolt that occurred in 1989

The corner where our hotel is located.

The sign for Jerusalem Street.

Our first Metro experience.

Sydney, Jason, Sam fighting back the sleep

Our elders: Raquel, Jake, Az, and Jami

The National Museum

3 Days Until We Embark...

From February 17-22, twenty Central Synagogue teenagers will partake in a 4 day study trip through Prague led by Zach Rolf (Youth Director), Rabbi Friedman, and Cantor Sacks.  Prague is a place where Jewish history truly comes to life, where past meets future, and where students come face-to-face with what it means to be Jewish.

Prague is a place where experiential learning, which we believe results in quality learning, can take place.  This learning will serve to increase or deepen one's Jewish identity at home.  Prague represents the creative flourishing of Jewish life in a way that few places can match.  Innovative solutions to Jewish dilemmas are also very present in Prague.

This time on Thursday we will be waiting in a security line, anxiously waiting our time to board the plane on our way to Prague (via London).  During our four full days we will be exploring many sites, both Jewish and non-Jewish, which have contributed to making Prague such a fascinating and incredible city.  It is our hope that, through this blog, you will be able to experience what we are doing (and thinking) through student entries, pictures, summaries, and videos.  We welcome any comments that you might want to make!