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Destinations

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n Mediterranea Festival at Sea 994 Dec. 11 0016463694 934937/US IL 00972587 o.com Yossi:

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* Terms and only. Departuconditions apply. From Hea res throw – on LY3 17// 1Nov17 from 3-15Sep, 17// 18 only. Outb 1No -15Mar18// oun 1May18-30J v17-15Mar18. From Lutod Days of travel: MON-TU un18.

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Ethiopia, 26

22 TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT

EL AL is embarking on a New Path

The first of 16 Boeing Dreamliner 787’s, the world`s most advanced aircraft, will join EL AL’s renewed fleet in August 2017. Starting in September, the Dreamliner will operate flights to Europe at the end of October will be gradually integrated into EL AL’s longhaul destinations in North America and the Far East.

EL AL is proud to introduce new service class, delivering passengers a premium experience.

A new Business Class, offering

maximum comfort and privacy with advanced full-flat bed seats.

A new Premium Economy Class, which is separated from the Economy Class by a curtain and divider, providing privacy to its guests. The Class consists of 28 wide, premium ergonomic seats by Recaro in a 2-3-2 seating configuration, offering spacious personal space.

Ticket sales for Premium Economy started on July 3rd 2017, for the following two routes:

06 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

• Newark - from $1,750, for flights starting October 29th, 2017 • Hong Kong - from $2,038, for flights starting March 18th, 2018 EL AL`s Matmid Frequent Flyer Club members and Fly Card credit card holders will be able to purchase tickets with points.

As part of this plan, EL AL purchased 16 modern Dreamliner aircraft, taking a major step forward in passenger service and flight experience. These aircraft will be gradually phased-in by 2020

and replace the existing 747-400 and 767-300 fleets. The advanced aircraft are state-of-the-art, offering many operational advantages and known as highly efficient and economical in fuel consumption, utilization and maintenance.

These aircraft will be joining the Company’s new 737-900 aircraft, which are already operating on short-hauls to Europe, modernizing the EL AL fleet.

EL AL is raising the bar in terms of service, flight comfort, as well as the upgraded product and flight experience it delivers its customers

special offers, please contact: EL AL Contact Centre, UK Tel: +44 (0)207 6249708

About EL AL EL AL Israel Airlines, Israel’s national airline, established in 1948, offers more non-stop flights than any other airline to/from Israel.

EL AL flies to 36 destinations from Israel and serves hundreds of other destinations throughout the world via partnerships with many other carriers. EL AL embodies Israel’s values of innovation and caring and is known for its genuine Israeli hospitality.

For further information, and/or

About Superstar Holidays UK Superstar Holidays, EL AL’s inhouse Tour Operator have been leading tourism to Israel for over 30 years. Recognised as market leaders in tailor made packages to Israel offering the most unique packages.

Specialising in travel for the independent traveller and can tailor make any holiday package to suit your needs.

BOOK NOW! Call us at 0207 9246708 or contact your preferred agents.

KEEP THE HEAT GOING, WITH OUR LOW “END OF SUMMER” FARE! FLY EL AL FROM LONDON TO TEL AVIV RETURN:

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* Terms and conditions apply. From Heathrow – on LY318 only. Outbound Days of travel: MON-TUE-WED only. Departures from 3-15Sep, 17// 1Nov17-15Mar18. From Luton - Departures from 3-15Sep, 17// 1Nov17-15Mar18// 1May18-30Jun18.

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THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

SUPERSTAR HOLIDAYS AND MATMID FREQUENT FLYER CLUB PARTNERSHIP Matmid Frequent Flyer Club and Superstar Holidays UK launch ‘Burn and Earn’ campaign. Members can redeem points to use as discount when purchasing a Superstar Holidays package price.

Please contact Superstar Holidays for more information: 020 3204 0490 Website: www.superstar.co.uk

OFFERS YOU A DREAM STAY AT

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24 TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT

Cruises, flights and more

LUTON SPECIAL

Economy from £300 Business Class from £995 Further reduction for seniors Fares valid for selected dates Subject to availability

Jewish Heritage tour to Berlin will take place with esteemed Jewish educator Dr Charles Landau. Set in the exhilarating city of Berlin, attendees will enjoy a historical, spiritual and thought-provoking trip, visiting the cities major Jewish sites, celebrating the once thriving Berlin Jewish community, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust and meeting the Jews of the fastest growing community in Europe.

Travelink have many years’ experience in kosher holidays around the world, currently we are offering fabulous summer holidays at a 5 Star resort in the picturesque Algarve, along with a wonderful deluxe 5 star Sicilian hotel.

For Sukkot, Travelink are offering various Tuscan Kosher holidays and a wonderful Spanish location too.

Get in touch with us today for any of your travel requirements, and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed! +44 208 931 8000.

We look forward to arranging your next flight, holiday or tour.

Travelink Group Ltd 50 Vivian Avenue Hendon

PESACH FLIGHTS

LUXURY TELHeathrow Flights5*toRESORT Tel AvivHO from Fully renovated rooms 28/29 March - 08 and April 2018 From £475 public areas main building SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER UP TO 25% OFF Valid 20 April – 31 July

ISRAEL HOTELS

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Please call now for discounted rates to your favourite hotels.

JEWISH HERITAGE ESCORTED TOURS 2017/18 Call Marcel 0208 958 3188 or email marcel.manson@westendtravel.co.uk

Enjoy a superb day out at Winslow Hall Stately home (Near Aylesbury)

Un Ballo In Maschera (A Masked Ball) International soloistsand full orchestra SUNDAY 9 JULY AT 3PM Phone for details 020 7644 1500

Travelink are your local travel agent and tour operator offering holidays and tours to Israel and beyond! Having specialised in travel to Israel for over 30 years, we can truly understand the complex fares, hotel rates, and multitude of escorted tours available in Israel. Travelink offers a personalised service to ensure we understand your full requirements to enable us to offer you the very lowest prices available and also make suggestions to improve or enhance your itinerary.

Travelink also have a dedicated cruise department, where we can offer the very best cruises to suite individual requirements. Currently Travelink are working with Uniworld bringing a luxury River Cruise, with just 130 passengers!

This exclusive ship will sail the River Empress from Basel to Amsterdam (or reverse) with plenty of wonderful stops on the way. Jewish heritage tours are available on all sailings and must be booked 30 days in advance of departure.

We regularly recruit the best tour guides and educators to create bespoke tours for you and your family and to offer Jewish Heritage tours in and around Europe. In October, a

NEW ACCADIA HERZLIA

OPERA FESTIVAL

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06 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

RUSSIA 7 AUGUST 2018 trips Moscow to St Petersburg BUDAPEST 18TH JANUARY FOR 4 DAYS BERLIN 25 AUGUST Stunning Corinthia Spa Hotel Repeating our 6th incredible weekend tour INDIA - 14TH FEBRUARY 2018 Bank Holiday 25 August Mumbai - Kerala - Delhi Golden triangle LIVERPOOL TOUR 3 SEPTEMBER MOROCCO 22ND FEBRUARY 2018 2 day trip including overnight at Malmaison hotel 10 days tour with Raffi Elmaleh includes in upgraded Mersey views £145 desert astay as well as all Imperial cities

020 8958 3188 Email: info@westendtravel.co.uk Head Office: 4-6 Canfield Place, London NW6 3BT 020 7644 1500 Email: admin@westendtravel.co.uk www.westendtravel.co.uk Edgware Office: 70 Edgware Way, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 8JS

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Inspiring Jewish Journeys

MOSCOW

LITHUANIA

POLAND BELARUS BERLIN UKRAINE PARIS PRAGUE BUDAPEST

LONDON

NEW YORK

SPAIN

ROME

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ISRAEL

JRoots facilitates inspiring Jewish journeys for all ages and backgrounds to international destinations of Jewish interest.

For more information about any of our trips please visit www.jroots.org or t. +44 (0) 20 8457 2121 or e. info@jroots.org together with

11220

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Inspiring Jewish Journeys

Inspiring Jewish Journeys

Journey Poland TO

for the Kehillah With Rabbi Shimshon Silkin & Rabbi Benjy Gordon

5th - 6th November 2017

presents a community trip to

Portugal

DATES FOR NEXT TRIP COMING SOON! STAYING IN 5* & 4* HOTELS or, oots educat LED BY J-R N O S R HY GA RABBI RAP Jewry ic rd ha ots of S ep tuguese ro e th ce ra Ret es of the Por from the tim xperience and touch E n. io it is ss the Inqu e travel acro history as w scape of the cities of nd beautiful la onte, Castele De Vide, Lisbon, Belm cosa & Por to Tran

Return to

MOROCCO 5th - 8th February 2018

JRoots invite you on another 5* Jewish Journey to Morocco led by JRoots Educator Raphy Garson

RETRACE THE ROOTS OF THE SEPHARDIC WORLD: Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Ourika and the Atlas Mountains.

www.jroots.org info@jroots.org

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26 TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT

06 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Stunning Ethiopia plane was made over this exodus.

On one aircraft 1,300 people were

By MARCEL MANSON pressed and squeezed on the plane.

Tel: 020 8954 5074 Operation Moses brought 8000 Jews to Israel; 1500 of them chilwww.jewishheritagetours.co.uk dren and young people who arA Division of West End Travel rived without their parents. The operation was halted as the result Email: marcel.manson@westendtravel.co.uk of leaks to the press and the fears of the Sudanese government of a by their weaving machines. backlash from Arab countries.

The dream of Ethiopian Jewry Nowadays, tourism is slowly to return to the Land of Israel sus- awakening and Ethiopia is a wontained them throughout the years. derful place to visit with its 300 Their dream began to be realized species of birds and spectacular in 1975 when the Chief Rabbinate wildlife, and the scenic beauty of of Israel recognized them as Jews, the Semien Mountains.

Salt piles-water evaporation ponds in Lake Afrera and with the 1977 Israeli governHistorical sites abound, the ori- Shabbat. A mix of Israel Mizrachi villages that still have delightful mental decision to bring them to gin of civilization steles in Axum, tunes and pure African tribal rev- Synagogues as there are in the capIsrael. Between 1977-1984 some Lucy’s skeleton bones in Addis elry makes you wonder of the mir- ital Addis Ababa which groups can CONTINUING HIS FORTNIGHTLY 8000 Jews gradually arrived in Is- Ababa museum are the he oldest acle of Jewish survival over 2,000 visit on their tour of the country.

COLUMN, MARCEL MANSON rael. Operation Moses was organ- recorded, plus a visit to Africa’s years as this setting is clearly in OF JEWISH HERITAGE TOURS ized in 1984 in order to bring as largest market in the same city is a the wrong century. Thereafter to Jewish Heritage Tours plan orAND WEST END TRAVEL, TAKES many Ethiopian Jews as possible must , a human bees next. In Gond- be joined by elders of the Jewish ganizing another trip to Ethiopia US ON A TOUR OF MORROCO. to Israel. As the Jews were forbid- ar one can see medieval classes to- Community for dinner makes this next year either March or Novemden to depart Ethiopia it was nec- gether with the rock hewn church- a Shabbat like no other. ber so please contact us with your We have now have a waiting list for essary that the operation remain es in Lalibela where one enter’ s There are also once totally Jewpreference. our 3rd trip to Ethiopia at the end of clandestine. through stone gulley’s and dark ish towns with Synagogues in October. Ethiopia is a country with Ethiopian immigrants, who underground a long Jewish history. From the longed to reach Israel, faced nu- passages.

I kingdom of the Queen of Sheba, merous dangers along the way. found myself to the Jews who left in Operation They first had to secretly make feeling like Solomon; the Beta Israel have been their way to the Sudanese border, being in the sovereigns and slaves; rulers over which they attempted by arranging raiders of the large areas of land, and suffered small groups to journey together. lost ark which exile because of their faith. It is a The majority traveled on foot, vul- is repudiated land barely changed from biblical nerable to robbers and other vio- to be the final times so if you wish to see a bibli- lence along the way. The journey resting place cal landscape with a delightful peo- to Sudan typically took between of the Arc of Chanuka ple who walk everywhere wearing two weeks to a month, and count- the Covenant white robes then it is like being less numbers perishedFestival along the near Axum in transplanted back 2,000 years to way. Once across the border, the the north of At Sea another era. immigrants languished in camps Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has been casting a spell for long periods until they were However, fion foreign travellers since the days able to depart for Israel. The con- nally the purof the Crusaders. Indeed, it was ditions in the camps were harsh, pose of our voted by European tour operators and many people died there as well. group visit is as the top travel destination in 2015 Operation Solomon: Airlifting to arrive Friand the Jewish Renaissance group 14,000 Jews out of Ethiopia In day morning who went in 2015 were bowled days 1991, Ethiopia was coming to the to hear the Venice & Greek Isles: - as low as €1490 over. We understood that the re- end of a long civil war and the gov- Hebrew songs maining 7,000 Jews remaining af-days ernment waslow close as to being1790 top- e m a n a t i n g Norwegian Fjords: - as Norwegian Venice & Spain/Moroccan ter both Operation Solomon and pled. Israel was concerned for the from the chilFjords Spain/Moroccan Adventure: days - €1490 Greek Isles Adventure Operation Moses would leave this ancient community of Ethiopian dren’s voices incredible country by the end of Jews and did a deal with the tot- in the cheder 9 nights/Aug.21 7 nights/Aug. 6 10 Nights/Nov.5 2017, but alas the Israeli Govern- tering regime to airlift thousands in Gondar, the €1790 €1490 €1490 ment seem to have been dragging of people out of the country. The brachas recit*4 Glatt Kosher Meals Daily *4 Pools *Mehadrin its feet. There are Israeli organisa- Israelis were given less than two ed by heart tions and Charities such as the UK days to carry out Operation Sol- for the fruit *Daily Minyanim *Casino *Cholov Yisrael based Mekita charity run by Sybil omon. During that window, they and cakes givCaribbean Chanuka Sheridan who spent a year working flew more than 14,000 Ethiopian en and then with the Jews of Gondar, which is Jews to Israel. As prophesised in later arriving Mediterranean 10 nights the main area where the Jews re- the torah they would be lifted on at their shul Festival at Sea Jan. 13/ Feb. 12 side. The Charity operates educa- the wings of eagles back to Zion. made of corDec. 11 tional programmes and teach work The record of a maximum number rugated iron Destinations613@yahoo.com Yossi: IL 00972587934937/US 0016463694994 skills for example tallisim produced of people ever carried on a single for Kabbalat

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28 TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT

Passion to business via travel

BY BEN ROBBINS They say that people who are passionate and can stand by the products they sell, run the most successful businesses. I took this suggestion rather literally when I asked myself the golden question: “Ben, what do you love most in the world?” And the answer rolled off my tongue without a moment’s hesitation: “Food and going on holiday...obviously.”

And so Bespoke Kosher Travel was born.

Jokes aside, I realised that for kosher travellers like myself, the world has boundaries. We can’t spontaneously hop onto a plane bound for just any exotic destination. We are Jews, which by definition means that we A: need to plan our holidays around the availability of kosher food and B: prioritise food above most other things. Even though a few cans of tuna and a creative approach to

06 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

holiday eating are absolutely doable wherever you go, it is much nicer to experience other countries and eat tasty meals, without having to choose one or the other.

I understood that providing my services to fellow food-loving kosher travellers was a perfect way to fill the gap and eliminate the ‘either-or’ scenario of satisfied tummies or gorgeous sunsets. And the minute I made my services known, the need that I had suspected became blindingly

obvious.

My team grew and so did the scope of our work. The majority of our trips were situated in Europe and America, but every new request brought a new challenge and a growing portfolio of cities in which our contacts are ever expanding. We have organised kosher tours to Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Thailand, to name a few. Not mention our tours to South Africa and neighbouring Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), as well as the sand dunes of Namibia. These trips are becoming increasingly popular, and while I’d like to take all the credit, our clients and their Instagram accounts are the real heroes in this story. Thanks to all the selfies that keep our phones ringing.

But while a picture is worth a thousand words, I want future clients to know that my vision for this company has always been to work with you in creating the holiday you want. We don’t sell cookie-cutter tours, nor do we intend to. Our value is in meeting your personal needs in all aspects of your trip, including food, accommodation, transport, guides, activities and of course, Shabbat - with

all the practicalities involved in creating a seamless and special Shabbat experience.

We offer a range of services, from simple meal deliveries for business trips to romantic honeymoons, family trips and large organised tours for 40 people or more.

We listen to our clients and focus on getting the details right.

We also treat you to your own personal travel assistant, on hand throughout the planning, booking and the trip itself, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

My dream holiday involves a remote beach, real sunshine, a lounge chair, and a nice fresh salad with a 400-gram fillet on the side. But because we get a kick out of making things possible, we invite our clients to dream up their own fantasy holidays….

To discuss how we can assist you, call 020 3151 1660, email ben@bespokekoshertravel.com, or visit www.bespokekoshertravel.com.

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THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

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30 TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT

06 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

Travel news roundup

Malcolm Ginsberg is the editor in chief of Business Travel News, a member of the International Travel Writers Alliance and a noted analyst on aviation matters. He is also seen from time to time on TV and heard on the radio. His fortnightly column will cover worldwide travel news items of interest to Jewish Weekly readers. Over the years he has been hosted by communities as varied as Hong Kong, Hobart in Australia, Quito in Ecuador, and Cape Town, a very Jewish city at the tip of South Africa.

We have all heard of Warsaw and Krakow with their long Jewish heritage.

But mention Lodz and people scratch their heads. Maybe it is the name. You pronounce it Woodge, rhyming with huge. It was once a Jewish city too.

It is a great place to visit whether your interest is history, (cheap) shopping, or a very busy night life. Everyone is friendly and seems to speak a smattering of English. Prices for the most part are half that of London. Bed and breakfast at the excellent 4-star andel’s Hotel Lodz at Manufaktura start at £50, terrific value even if the pound vs euro rate is not too attractive.

Ryanair flies direct from Stansted.

Manufaktura epitomises Lodz of 2017, a vast complex of shopping malls, eating places, with andel’s, a former spinning mill, towering above.

In its heyday towards the end of the 19th century, the factory complex, developed by Izrael Poznanski, employed 7,000 people and also included a technical office (now a restaurant), engine house (pet shop) and finishing

shop (art museum). A very 21st century IMAX cinema has been added, as well as 10-pin bowling and skating.

Adjoining the complex is Poznanski’s palace, now the Museum of Lodz.

The building itself is a monumental neo-Baroque edifice, richly decorated with architectural and sculptural detail, with its roof topped with domes and turrets. Equally splendid are the interiors, especially the ceremonial ones. It also houses an exhibition dedicated to Arthur Rubinstein, the musician, born in Lodz.

The former mansion of Karol Scheibler, not Jewish, even richer, is devoted to Polish cinematography and is part of the Polish National Film School, one of Europe’s best. Much plainer than that of rival Poznanski, it also includes a museum covering the whole of the 20th century in movie terms. Fascinating.

Piotrkowska Street is a short walk from the anvil Hotel. It is said to be one of the longest commercial boulevards in Europe. Running in a straight line from Liberty Square to Independence Square it includes a large number

Piotrkowska Street

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

Freedom Square in Lodz in the evening

of pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants in what is more or less a pedestrianised thoroughfare. At night the side streets buzz too. Try a ride on a cycle rickshaw. The enterprising peddlers can easily take a threesome. Lodz is flat.

We dined at Anatewka, said to be Jewish, but certainly not kosher, but with a traditional fiddler in the background.

Lodz is the third-largest municipality in Poland, located in the central part of the country with a population now back to pre-war days. Once a massive manufacturing centre dating back to the industrial revolution, often called “the Polish Manchester” in the post-second World War communist era, the combination of nationalisation and cheap Far Eastern imports decimated the textile industry.

In a remarkable turnaround it is today very progressive. The relics of less-pleasant times are clearly obvious, but a master plan is well in place to regain its status as the centre of Poland’s EU renaissance. What were once the manufacturing mills of a bygone era have been converted into top-class hotels; workers’ accommodations are now quality housing, and the mansions of the tycoons are public buildings renovated as museums, libraries and the local municipality offices.

Lodz did not exist before 1800, or at best was a tiny village. By 1939 its inhabitants numbered 750,000, of which one-third were Jewish. The Nazis arrived and a ghetto was quickly established. In August 1944, with the Nazis on the way to losing, Nazi Germany used its considerable organising

abilities to move at least 150,000 people to Auschwitz and their death.

The Decalogue Memorial in Staromiejski Park is a tribute to the coexistence of Poles and Jews. The memorial is located close to the Old Market Square and is a quiet place of solitude in a busy city. Also in the park is a monument to Jan Karski, a member of the Polish resistance in WWII. During the Holocaust he reported to the Polish government in exile and the Western allies. This included a one-to-one with President Roosevelt. His pleas went largely unnoticed.

At Radogoszcz railway station stands a monument commemorating the victims of the Nazis who passed through.

The Jewish cemetery holds 180,000 graves, ans many tombs are works of art themselves (including the huge mausoleum to Izrael Poznański).

This Lodz report must end on a bullish note.

After taking a swim in the enclosed rooftop pool at the andel it was time for a drink at the adjoining bar. On a lovely autumn day, with not a cloud in the sky, the massive square at Manufaktura was full of music with the fountains on maximum. Then it was off for shopping and eating.

CONTACTS: ANDELS www.viennahouse.com/en/ andels-lodz TOURIST BOARD www.en.turystyczna.lodz.pl FLIGHTS www.ryanair.com

06 JULY 2017

THE JEWISH WEEKLY

JRoots - Returning to our heritage

JRoots is a nonprofit organisation established over ten years ago in order to provide compelling travel opportunities for Jews of all ages and backgrounds to international destinations of Jewish interest.

Over 12,000 Jewish people from around the world have participated to date in JRoots trips.

These include families, school and student groups and communities.

The extraordinary journey of the Jewish people is a 4,000-yearold narrative that has passed from country to country and generation to generation. JRoots exists to allow individuals and organisations the firsthand opportunity to experience important destinations of significance on that journey.

JRoots-trained guides are all informal educators who stand out in their ability to really bring such places alive via their extensive knowledge and experience, often complementing dry historic facts with context-relevant anecdotes and stories from the rich and varied history of each destination.

Participants of all ages attest to the memorable experiences they have enjoyed bringing the millennial

Jewish story alive in an unparalleled fashion.

JRoots offers all-inclusive inspiring journeys. Current destinations include Poland, Eastern Europe, Israel, Rome, Berlin, Portugal, Spain, Prague and Morocco. Each JRoots journey is a bespoke experience with an itinerary designed hand in hand with the specific community, organisation or family. More than a tour, a JRoots journey is an exploration of Jewish life in the context of the given destination. JRoots handles all logistical considerations so that participants can focus exclusively on enjoying and absorbing the once-in-a-lifetime JRoots experience.

At JRoots it is never off season!

In the past ten days alone JRoots has facilitated seven disparate groups to three countries, inspiring participants of different ages and Jewish orientations in a truly bespoke and highly impactful manner.

These include a partnership between the Klal - Chazon organisation led by Rabbi Shimshon Silkin, and guided by Rabbi Yonassan

Roodyn for Beis Yaakov Grammar School London on their annual Year 12 Journey to Poland. For many years JRoots has organised this highly impactful chinuch experience for the graduating class, visiting sights such as the Warsaw Ghetto, the Lublin Yeshivah and the original Beis Yaakov school building. The trip finished with a visit to Auschwitz, where one of the young ladies remarked, “I feel that this three-day journey has been the ideal connector between school and seminary and from the classroom to adulthood, with a heightened understanding of the specialness of the mesorah that I received in school, touched palpably in Poland, which I hope to cement into my family’s life through the coming year studying at Beis Yaakov in Yerushalayim. I now realise just how lucky my generation is, and our responsibility to the future.”

Portugal, a fascinating new destination, was added to the JRoots travel repertoire this year. This week’s journey to Portugal was arranged by Rabbi Raphy Garson and began in Porto, where visitors

JRoots community trip to Portugal with JRoots founder Tzvi Sperber and educator Rabbi Raphy Garson

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT can still find remnants of the original Jewish community that was based there. The trip, which lasted two days, was packed with visits to Belmonte, Castilo de Vide and Lisbon, where the group visited the famous Rossio square, where many Jews were killed. The trip was led by JRoots director Tzvi Sperber, who took participants on a gripping journey through the history of the Jews of the area, culminating in the expulsion in the late 15th Century. Many participants were visibly moved by the encounter. One participant remarked, “My family fled from Lisbon alongside the famous Rabbi Abarbanel over 400 years ago.

The apocryphal stories are part of our family history - to walk those same streets and visit those same places truly brought my link in the chain to life for me.”

At the same time, over 40 Bukharin university campus students with little connection to Judaism joined a JRoots Journey to Rome. They were led by JRoots guide Rabbi Benjy Gordon, who vividly brought home the epic 2,000-year-old history of the Jews of Rome to them, retracing the history of the Jewish ghetto, the Coliseum, Arch of Titus, the Vatican and many other compelling sites upon the road of Jewish history. The trip finished with a visit to Ostia Antica where one of the oldest shuls in the world stands, dating back to the times of the second Temple! This group experienced a connection to a Jewish community that has existed for over 2000 years, learning about their culture and customs and trying to understand the lessons we can learn from the relationship between Rome and the Jews. One participant said, “For myself, a Jewish student studying in New York, coming from a family that originates in Bukharia it was just a remarkable realisation of who I am.

“To stand by the Arch of Titus, for generations a symbol of the exile and destruction for the Jews, and sing Am Yisrael Chai was simply an experience I shall never forget. Its lesson of Jewish survival and my role in that are now indelibly printed in my mind.”

These trips were followed by two American groups, Bnos school from Manchester and Manchester Mesivta school, who headed to Poland for seven-day, two-day and four-day Journeys to Poland respectively. JRoots excels in working to match up groups with the appropriate JRoots educator, who is there not only to

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guide but to educate, inspire and facilitate the learning experiences alongside the impeccably high standard of operational logistics that make up each JRoots journey.

Each group in Poland is led by a JRoots educator, a security guard and a Polish-speaking guide in order to ensure the smooth running and safety of the trips. All four trips last week had their own bespoke itinerary to match their ideology and hashkafah, so that they can benefit as much as possible from their own unique JRoots journey.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Naftali Schiff, the last year for JRoots has been one of tremendous growth. Over the winter months JRoots increased the number of trip participants by 93% and have also increased the number of guides and support staff to help manage the growth in trip numbers. This expansion has bolstered the professionalism, care and consideration JRoots pride themselves in applying in a unique manner in preparation of every journey and towards every participant on each trip. Infact, over 85% of students we have taken on JRoots Journeys in the last 12 months have said that it was one of the most powerful Jewish experiences of their life.

In a generation challenged by short attention spans and in many ways over stimulated by external media, JRoots continues to develop the most compelling immersive Jewish experiences. These are relevant and memorable for sixth former, student, parent and grandparent alike, irrespective of their level of religious observance or beliefs. In fact, one of the remarkable observations from this past fortnight alone is that the dynamic educational approach of JRoots has produced a flexible “product” that is fully adaptable to both the family of Beis Yaakov and the nonpracticing cadre of university students.

JRoots is a part of the Jewish Futures Group of educational organisations (JFT).

Apart from partnering with its constituent organisations to facilitate powerful immersive Jewish travel experiences, it is ideally suited to collaborate with schools, communities, organisations and families far and wide in order to facilitate bespoke Jewish journeys according to their own particular specifications.

For more information or to arrange or join a trip please email info@jroots.org.

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THE JEWISH WEEKLY

THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM

06 JULY 2017