Warsaw Exploration
We departed the Novotel around 9:15am this morning and headed for the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw, where our guide Matan worked. Along the way he pointed out several landmarks, and I was pleased to recognize many buildings and parks we walked by yesterday afternoon on our stroll together. More people have arrived this morning and joined the group, so it was nice to meet and interact with new friends.
We arrived at the institute and Matan gave a very detailed explanation of the building’s history, as well as it’s famous permanent exhibition on the Oneg Szabat. (I only just learned about this secret organization last year on my trip to Israel. Somehow, I had never been exposed to it before.) This secret organization of Jews living in the Warsaw Ghetto took the ultimate risk to record life, crimes, wills, and accomplishments happening during the war. They then prepared to bury these containers before being captured. (Only a few members survived the war and returned to look for the buried treasure chests.) The boxes were found in 1948, and 1950. These documents help future generations tell the story of life within the walls of the ghetto. Here is the website if you would like to learn more from the institute : www.onegszabat.org
After our visit to the JHI, we made our way over to the Warsaw JCC, stopped for some of Howard’s favorite donuts along the way, and filed in one by one to the smaller than imagined space, for this Jewish Community Center. We were greeted by the director, Agata RaKowiecka and given the opportunity to have an open dialogue with her regarding Jewish life in Warsaw, Jewish Identity, and the role of the JCC in the Warsaw community. It was a fascinating conversation that had all of us engaged and intently listening with our soothing cups of coffee in hand. Before we knew it, we had to bid farewell to our new friend, and make our way back to the hotel to retrieve more groups members who had arrived from the airport.
The second part of our Sunday adventure took us to the POLIN museum, where we enjoyed a hot meal and good conversation before preparing for the guided tour. Our guided tour would take just over two hours, and send us back in time nearly 1000 years, before gradually working our way back to modern day events. I was most interested in the early sections of the tour, where I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge on Poland’s roots, and learn more about the country’s origins. Overall the whole museum’s exhibit was intriguing and could easily consume your attention for an entire day.
Later on in the evening, we gathered again as a group for dinner in the Old Town, at a restaurant called Warszawski Sznt, This fine dining experience came with a splendid view of the Old Town center, which only improved as the sun set and the evening lights brightened. We enjoyed a small welcome speech from Tsipy and Dr. Natalia Alesksium, then we immersed ourselves in conversation and food. In the blink of an eye, two hours had passed and we were well fed and ready to let the jet lag catch up to us! Once back at the hotel we parted ways so we could rest and be ready to join the group at the airport bright and early tomorrow morning. Eager for another adventure and the chance to make more friends.