This has been a meaningful and emotional week for our Spring Semester students as they embarked on a deep exploration of the Shoah (Holocaust). On Sunday, they visited Yad Vashem, where they learned about the broader context of World War II and the Holocaust. This visit prepared them for their journey to Poland, where they began uncovering the personal stories of victims and survivors.

On Monday, the group arrived in Warsaw, where they visited the Jewish cemetery and learned about the city’s Jewish community throughout history. From there, they traveled to Jedwabne, Tykocin, and Lupochowa, tracing the vibrant Jewish life that once existed in these towns and confronting the tragic fate of their communities. The day concluded with a powerful visit to the Parczew Forest, where students explored the hidden partisan camps and discussed Jewish resistance efforts, along with the immense challenges they faced.

On Wednesday, the morning began with a Talmud study session at the historic Lublin Yeshiva, an institution that represented a revolution in Jewish education before the war. From there, the group continued to Majdanek, where they faced heartbreaking testimonies of the atrocities committed there. Later, they visited Izbica, a key site of mass Jewish deportation.

Thursday, we continued our journey, deepening their understanding of pre-war Chassidic life in Zamość and Łańcut, before exploring the role of non-Jewish Poles during the Holocaust in Markowa. We will conclude the week with a meaningful Shabbat in Kraków, joining students from CESJDS and exploring the city’s rich Jewish history.

We look forward to another week of learning, reflection, and connection to our history!

Learn more about how you can start your own Muss adventure at amhsi.org/information.