We departed Berlin yesterday morning after too brief a visit. Within three days, our study seminar participants saw various examples of Berlin’s historical and contemporary significance. The Topography of Terror Museum and remnants of the Berlin Wall activate the historical imagination, compelling…
I just loaded 500 pictures onto Dani’s computer while she, and others with the energy and will, have been out for a late-night stroll through Dresden, which is lovely, more my speed than Berlin, less “brisk,” as today’s guide Stefan would say….
After a nice and relaxing bus ride, accompanied by a film featured by Avi, we arrived in the magnificent city of Dresden. Our eyes were immediately attracted to the beauty of the city and the magnificence of the architecture. Everyone raced for…
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (a Holocaust memorial) sits in the very heart of Berlin. It also happens to be overlooked by the American embassy. This was my primary thought after visiting: “You knew. Where were you?”
So, again, I begin with the train. As we trundled along from Mannheim to Berlin, very frequently trains passed us going the other direction in a rush of color and noise. In the middle of the night, these trains became flashes…
Yesterday, we traveled to the Berlin suburb of Wannsee, a beautiful neighborhood on a lake that is home to boat clubs, villas, and resorts. The vibe of the area is so relaxing that it is easy to forget–and inconceivable to picture–that one…
It seemed fitting that we rode into Germany on the train rather than descend upon her from the sky. Trains take us through the back door of cities, through the industry and graffiti and clutter that better guests never see. In our…
When I asked, “What is Germany ?” to the twenty-three students and teachers that are serving as my travel companions, I received three general responses: 1) “Somewhere where we’re not”; 2) “Somewhere we may or may not reach”; and 3) “Somewhere with…
Of all the time I spent in the Children’s Village, my most special moment was on the last Wednesday, the day the kids were departing for their homes. As soon as I woke up that morning, I walked over to my mispachton,…
Author and poet Magda Herzberger is coming to Pittsburgh, sponsored by Classrooms Without Borders in association with The Kiski School. On April 14-15, she will present her Holocaust education program at Kiski. On April 17, she will speak at the Pittsburgh…
In 2013, March 17-28, seven teens from The Ellis School, Shadyside Academy and Sewickley Academy spent their spring break working at The Children’s Village in Karmi’el, Israel — part of the Classrooms Without Borders’ International Teen Service Trip. The Children’s Village is…
Classrooms Without Borders sponsored a Teen Service Trip to Israel in March of 2013. Seven teens from The Ellis School, Shady Side Academy, and Sewickley Academy spent their spring break working at The Children’s Village in Karmi’el, Israel. The Children’s Village is…