Arrival in Israel!!!

Bruchim Haba'im (Welcome) to Israel!!!  This was what we were greeting with when we stepped off the plane very early morning in Tel Aviv and excited to be in the Holy Land.  We were met by our Israeli staff with cheering, clapping and singing Heyvenu Shalom Aleichem. Everyone had smiles on their faces as we headed to Tel Aviv to enjoy breakfast near the beach, relax together and simply enjoy being all together.  From there we went to the Tayelet in Jerusalem where we were able to see a panoramic view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  We all sang Shehechiyanu, had a kiddush and spent the rest of the day learning some history, driving around the city and will celebrate Shabbat all together at Ma'aleh Ha'hamisha!  Shabbat Shalom!

Group in front of Umschlagplatz in Warsaw

Jewish Museum of Polish Jews in Warsaw

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Brothers having fun

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Group together on site of Mila 18

Having breakfast together after arriving in Israel!!

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Welcome to Israel!!

Smile Bus #1!

Auschwitz & Birkenau

After many hours of traveling and seeing Krakow, today was a very somber one.  Another day to rise early and then took the bus to Auschwitz.  We all took a  tour of the Auschwitz Muzeum, thinking about those that we lost and always remembering to NEVER FORGET.  From there we went over to Auschwitz II (Birkenau) where we walked the grounds of the camp, thinking of those that came before us and knowing how we all have the freedom to walk in and out of the gates at will when our ancestors didn't have the choice.  An exhausting, but such an important day to take in for ourselves and witness first hand of the atrocities of the Holocaust and may the memory of those lost be a blessing.

Gate sign outside Auschwitz 

"Arbeit Macht Frei" - work sets you free

Prepping for our tour of Auschwitz

Fence outside Auschwitz

Just inside Auschwitz

View of train tracks/guard stand in barracks

Barracks

Up close view of barbed wire fence

Guard stand 

View from train tracks just inside Birkenau

Birkenau barracks (or what's remaining)

Students inside Birkenau

Student pondering what came before him..

Picture says it all

Cattle car

Students placing rocks in memoriam on the cattle car

Students looking at the old crematorium

So peaceful and serene

Ceremony inside Birkenau

Guard Stand

Day of Departure and first day in Poland

Well, we are on our way!  After an incredible send off at the wee hours at the morning at DIA, everyone has arrived safe & sound in Poland!  Trying to contain our excitement, we arrived in Krakow to start our journey.  It was a cold & rainy day in Poland, but everyone trudged on through the day from the lack of sleep and jetlag.   We toured the Jewish part of Krakow in Kazimierz, visited the old synagogues, saw the outside of Schindler's Factory (which is now a museum), walked around the incredible Main Square in Krakow and finished off with a delicious Kosher dinner! We have an extremely meaningful and busy next 48 hours in Poland with seeing Auschwitz-Birkenau, Lublin and Warsaw.

Plaque outside Schindler's Factory

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View outside Schindler's Factory

Walking around Krakow

Dealing with the rain in the Main Square in Krakow

Main Square

ENJOYING DINNER TOGETHER AS ONE IST FAMILY :)