Thursday was filled with travel and visits to houses of worship. We began by journeying to the Temple Synagogue in Krasnik, where we participated in morning prayers in an old, deteriorating building. Following a meaningful service that brought Jewish tradition back to a community where Jewish residents no longer lived, we embarked on a four-hour journey to Krakow. During the drive, we watched Schindler’s List.
Upon arrival in Krakow, we walked through the historic ghetto district to the Izaak Synagogue, named after Izaak Jakubowicz, a wealthy banker and benefactor to King Władysław IV. I shared Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s Krakow Niggun, and describing the profound experience of performing this melody in its original location within the ancient sanctuary. Visitors stopped to listen, with some recording the performance.
The day concluded with additional synagogue visits, evening prayers, and personal reflection time.