We’ve transitioned from Poland to Israel. Our group concluded their time in Poland by visiting Tykochin synagogue and the Lupochova Forest, davening at the Tykochin synagogue where Jews once prayed in this thriving shtetl.
We visited Treblinka, which memorializes the hundreds of thousands murdered there. The group held a ceremony with readings and songs, and family members received letters written by their parents for this specific moment.
Upon arriving in Israel, we discovered many suitcases were not loaded on the plane, necessitating emergency shopping. Wednesday featured an archaeological dig at Tel Maresha, where we found a number of pottery shards, animal bones, and even some charcoal. We also swam and attended a seminar on Arab-Israeli conflict.
Thursday’s activities focused on Second Temple period history, including exploration of the Temple’s Southern Wall, Herodian mansions, the Kotel, and the Israel Museum.
A few more days in the Jerusalem area, and then we’re off to see the rest of Israel!