Free Informational Meeting: A JOURNEY TO JEWISH RENAISSANCE (A Guided Trip Through Poland and Eastern Germany)

Jewish culture flourished in Poland and Germany until the Holocaust. Twenty-one years after the fall of Communism, a richly vibrant cultural renaissance is taking place in Warsaw, Krakow and Berlin. In collaboration with the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture, the Osher Marin JCC invites travelers of all faiths to experience a deeply meaningful cultural adventure in Poland and Germany. Shana Penn, Executive Director of the Taube Foundation of Jewish Life and Culture, creator of the Jewish Heritage Initiative in Poland, and author of Gender and Everyday Life in State Socialist Eastern and Central Europe will guide this trip.

WHEN: JUNE 26 to JULY 7, 2011

Free Informational Meeting: Tuesday, November 30th at 7 pm in the Kurland Lounge at the Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. RSVP for the informational meeting at 415-444-8066 or jgreene@marinjcc.org. (Please leave name, email address for possible updates and number of people attending.)

Note: On November 30, 2010: Before (or after) the informational meeting, be one of the first to view  the  Jewish Witness to a Polish Century exhibit from the Centropa Exhibit with 30 six-foot-tall banners  telling stories of Jewish life in Poland pre- and post-Holocaust.

WHERE:  This journey travels through Warsaw, Krakow and Berlin. Travelers will be welcomed by Warsaw's Jewish community at synagogues and historic sites; visit the Royal Castle, Opera House, Warsaw Ghetto monuments and the Jewish Genealogy Center; explore the cafés and galleries of cobblestoned Krakow and celebrate at The 20th Krakow Jewish Culture Festival, pay homage to those who perished in Auschwitz-Birkenau; tour the new museum at Schindler's Factory where 1,200 Jews were saved; celebrate Shabbat at a JCC funded by Prince Charles of Wales;  enjoy a private tour of the Jewish Museum Berlin designed by Daniel Libeskind; and learn how reunification has impacted German Jewish identity.

About the Osher Marin JCC

The Osher Marin JCC is the community center of Marin County. Epitomizing the essence of Marin, with a range of authentic cultural experiences enjoyed by many generations, the Osher Marin JCC offers award-winning facilities, abundant physical and educational activities and world-class programming relevant to our entire community today. Since the Osher Marin JCC's founding in 1947, the center has become recognizable for its rich history of Jewish traditions and values with an unparalleled all-inclusive community spirit. For more information about the Osher Marin JCC, please visit http://www.marinjcc.org.