This narrative is exactly as written in 1999. No corrections have been made to any grammatical mistakes I may have made in 1999. Any items in italics are editor’s notes, circa 2016. The journal includes a film log and the pictures are captioned as per my notes in the log.Stepping off the plane in Krakow
Sunday, April 11th, 1999 – Krakow, Poland
Arrived in Krakow around 4PM local time, 10AM EST. Was bussed from plane to airport where I went through customs and waiting around for our luggage, I met our guide, Peter, and got on the Orange Bus, 105.
I recall that Krakow did not seem equipped for a 747, and they had a single man driving the luggage cart and unloading it, then going back for more. And when we tried to assist in unloading, we were stopped by the armed guards. In 1999, the airport had less than half a million enplanements. It had over 4 million in 2015. The airport has a variery of discount carriers, and a new terminal opened in 2015. The older terminal is being remodeled.
Jewish Quarter – Isaac Synagogue
We arrived in the Jewish Quarter of Krakow and walked to the Isaac Synagogue, which is over 300 years old and now a museum. We all davened minchah there and Chaim Lauer spoke of his feelings and mentioned the Song of the Day for Wednesdays. Then one of the Rabbis, a survivor, I think it was Moskowitz, spoke of his feelings, of how all Jewish buildings would someday be in Israel. He quoted off the wall on which fading words were written from the Midrash.
He urged us to experience and capture a moment. We then sang Kol Haolam Kulo, which was written in Krakow, and returned to the bus.
The Isaac Synagogue was built in 1644 in the Kazimierz district of Krakow. The synagogue was funded by Isaac Jakubowicz, aka Isaac the Rich, who is buried in the Remuh Cemetery. The Gestapo destroyed the interior of the building during the war, after which it was used by a theater company, an exhibition space, and ultimately renovated. I cannot recall the details of who allegedly wrote Kol Haolam Kulo in Krakow allegedly. The words are based on a quote from Reb Nachman of Breslov. I believe the composer of the tune we sung was Shlomo Carlebach.
This narrative is exactly as written in 1999. No corrections have been made to any grammatical mistakes I may have made in 1999. Any items in italics are editor’s notes, circa 2016. The journal includes a film log and the pictures are captioned as per my notes in the log.
Saturday, April 10, 1999 – JFK Airport
Shot of people around me on airplane
I arrived at the airport bearing a giant bag on wheels and a bookbag the size of a duffel. We went through El Al procedure and was eventually ushered into a waiting room where I ran into Ilana Shreck. Eventually, Solomon showed up. We were all talking and continued to do so until we went to the gate and sat with the blue people of which I’d formerly been. Plane departed 11PM.
A Paper Ticket…ah the nostalgia
Sunday, April 11, 1999 – Montreal, Canada
We stopped here to pick up more people and didn’t take off again until 2:30AM EST.
They fed us several times on the flight. A snack, a dinner, a breakfast…
Editor’s note: I have the clear recollection of them refusing to give us drinks on the flight, and a few of us conspiring to distract the flight attendants so I could grab a bunch of drinks from the galley and distribute them to the individuals around me.
We should be arriving soon in Crakow. I am unsure of what to expect, this being my first trip to Europe and the disturbing nature of this trip.
The setup for this trip actually started months earlier. I began the journal in question with entries at Queensborough Community College where we had classes to prepare for what we were going to see.At the time of this trip, I was a student at the Bronx High School of Science. The only other student from my school was Solomon Schatten. I still hear from him once in a while to this day. He would be the only person from the trip I have contact with. The other people I became friendly with on the trip, for example, Ilana Schreck, I have lost track of. According to Facebook though, she has a family now and still lives in New York. We still have mutual friends.
I found this scribbled on one of the pages. It still seems like good advice.
Laver’s Travel Laws for March of the Living
Prepare.
When you see a bathroom, use it
Be there for others, reach out
Be flexible and patient
You pack it, you schlep it
Nostalgia Train, heading from Midtown Manhattan to Coney Island on a D-Type Triplex.
