
"Rejoicing for what was; commemorating what is no longer."
Adult Poland Tour
July 12-17, 2023
Itinerary *subject to change

Day One
Wednesday, July 12
We will begin our touring at Warsaw's Jewish cemetery, and learn of over 200 years of Warsaw's rich Jewish life. We will visit the Warsaw Ghetto, including Mila 18, the bunker headquarters of the Jewish Combat Organization (ŻOB) - the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Heroes. After visiting the Umschlagplatz, the location from where an estimated 300,000 Jews were gathered, we will end our day of touring in Treblinka.

Day Two
Thursday, July 13
We will being our day at the Yeshiva of Chachmei Lublin, the prestigious pre-Holocaust Yeshiva where one needed to memorise 400 pages of Talmud to apply. We will revive the Yeshiva with guided Torah study. We will visit the nearby Majdanek Concentration Camp. We will end our day of touring with a “tisch” at the Kever of Rabbi Elimelech of Lezajsk, the first Polish “Chassidic” Rebbe.

Day Three
Friday, July 14
We will visit the picturesque baroque synagogue of the town of Lancut and Tarnow's Old Synagogue and market square. We will commemorate the child victims at Zbylitowska Gora. We will visit the Old Jewish cemetery of Krakow, where we will "meet" the 16th century halachic authorities, Rabbi Moshe Isserles (Ramah), Rabbi Yoel Sirkis (Bach), and Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Heller.

Day Four
Shabbat, July 15
We will experience Shabbat prayers with Krakow’s Jewish Community, and take a walking tour of Krakow's Synagogues, including the Rema, Temple, and Alta Synagogues. Our festive Shabbat meals will be held in the first Bais Yaakov school, opened by Sarah Schnerir. Known by her students as “Mama Sara”, she was a pioneer of women’s Torah study. We will visit the Krakow Ghetto to gain an understanding of Jewish life in the ghetto and hear of heroic righteous gentiles.

Day Five
Sunday, July 16
In many ways, Auschwitz/Birkenau has become the symbol of the Holocaust. We will spend the day exploring this infamous camp known for its selections, living conditions, and gas chambers.

Day Six
Monday, July 17
We will visit the Lodz Ghetto, where the Judenrat relayed a decree requiring parents to hand their children to the Germans. At Lodz's Jewish cemetery we will hear of the miracle of the 6 empty mass graves. We will visit Chelmno, the first German extermination camp. In Piazecno, we will visit a mikva of heroism.
Your Guides

Rabbi David Abrahamovitz
Rabbi David Abrahamovitz was born in Toronto, Canada, and has been living in Israel since 2004. He is the founder and director of “The World That Was” tours. David views studying history as essential to improving the world. Since 2007, he has led tours for students and adults, including Yeshivas, seminaries, high schools, synagogues, and Christian groups. His trips are educational and meaningful. His guiding is informative and passionate. David lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife, Aliza, and their children. Aliza is the assistant director of “The World That Was”.

Rabbi Yamin Goldsmith
Rabbi Yamin Goldsmith, the Rosh Midrasha at the Sha’alvim for Women Seminary in Jerusalem, is well known and respected for his warm and engaging personality. He attended Yeshivat Sha’alvim for two years before serving in the I.D.F. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University, a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University, was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University, and is completing his doctoral dissertation in Curriculum and Teaching at Columbia University’s Teachers College. He has worked in both formal and informal Jewish education in the United States and in Israel for almost 35 years. Rav Yamin lives with his wife, Joy, and their children in Beit Shemesh.

Mrs. Michelle Elmaleh
Michelle is the assistant director and dean of students and Shaalvim for Women in Jerusalem. Michelle received her BA from Stern College and her MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. After almost a decade of guidance and teaching in high schools in the U.S., Michelle and her family made Aliyah to Beit Shemesh where they currently reside. Michelle has spent numerous summers in Camp Simcha, Camp Mesorah, and other informal educational environments, including NCSY Michlelet. Michelle has been recipient of many prestigious awards for academic achievement.
Important Information
Where does the tour begin and end?
The tour begins in Warsaw with brunch on Wednesday, July 12 at 10a. Pick up will be available from all Warsaw locations. Our trip concludes in Warsaw on Monday, July 17, at 8:30pm. We will provide transfers within Warsaw.
If you require accommodations or logistical assistance before or after the trip, please be in touch with Aliza at aliza@theworldthatwas.org.
Hotels
July 12: Warsaw The Westin Warsaw
July 13: Rzeszów Hilton Garden Inn
July 14-15: Krakow Sheraton Grand Krakow
July 16: Lodz DoubleTree Hilton
Transportation in Poland
We travel on a modern coach bus with reclining seats.
Food
We serve 3 quality, Glatt-Kosher meals a day. We offer a variety of snacks throughout the tour.
Security
We are accompanied by an armed, professional, security guard.
Insurance
Prior to the trip, participants are encouraged to arrange their own medical/travel insurance.
Flights
Participants individually arrange and pay for their flights. A minimum number of participants are needed for this tour. Please do not book your flight until receiving confirmation that we have received the required number of deposits. In the event the tour is canceled due to a lack of participants, a full refund will be provided.
Payment
The all-inclusive tour land cost is $4500 USD (single room supplement is $500).
To reserve your spot, a $500 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration.
If we do not reach the minimum required number of participants and therefore cancel the tour, you will receive a full refund.
The deadline for submitting the down-payment is Thursday, May 18.
The deadline for submitting the balance of the payment is Monday, June 12.
Cancellation Policy
Deposits are nonrefundable.
In the event that the balance has been paid:
- Cancellations before June 12 – 100% of balance returned.
- Cancellations between June 13 - July 3 – 50% of balance returned.
- Cancellations after July 3 – no refunds.