WHAT'S ON
Netzer's European seminar journey
Netzer Australian madrichim and Progressive Community and Netzer Shaliach Sefi Shalam are currently attending a 10-day-long educational seminar in Poland and Germany, to visit historic places, learn about the Holocaust and modern Jewish history from a Progressive Jewish perspective. Click on "Read More" to read his final report from the trip.
Dear Friends,
Today we have concluded Netzer's Seminar-Journey in Europe, and I'm happy to share with you the third and final update of our experiences.
On Thursday we travelled to Łódz, where we've heard about the city's rich industrial history, which included some very prominent Jewish Capitalists and institutions. On early 20th Century the city had the 3rd largest Jewish population in the world, and among other places, we visited the site of its old Progressive synagogue. We than toured around the (huge) area of the Łódz Ghetto, and visited the Jewish cemetery and the train station, from which Jews were deported, mainly to Auschwitz.
We have started Friday with a special breakfast at Charlotte Menorah, a modern restaurant that brings many elements of Jewish cuisine into its menu. From there we continued to the Polin Museum, where we have learned the story of 1,000 years of Jewish history in Poland.
There one of our Bogrot, Millie Haber, has shared with us the incredible survival story of her great grand father. It has completed the picture for us, after in Krakow we had the chance to meet the son of the Polish woman who has saved him during the war.
We concluded Friday with a beautiful Kabalat Shabat at the Ec (Etz) Chaim Progressive Synagogue, which Rabbi Stas Wojciechowicz has generously allowed us to co-lead. That was wonderful conclusion to our program, being able to also experience modern Polish Jewish life first hand, and doing it the way we love the most. For me it was especially important, as 4 years ago Rabbi Wojciechowicz has conducted my chuppah, with Sara, who was a member of that synagogue.
Looking back, this was a truly special journey, which was educational, emotional, fun, sad, and optimistic at the same time.
Again- big thanks to Arzenu, WUPJ, JAFI, and the Taube Foundation for allowing us to make it a reality.
Shavua tov,
Sefi
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