Roots, Ruins and Renaissance: A study of Jewish Germany
This is a tour that we were hesitant to create. Germany means painful memories to many people. But for the educated Jewish traveler, few places can be more significant. Jews have lived there for centuries. The great scholar, Rashi – without whom understanding the Torah would be near to impossible – lived in Worms, Germany. Berlin, currently the city in Europe, also represents a developing story in German-Jewish relations; today, it boasts a new Holocaust Monument that rivals the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, as well as a world-class Jewish Museum in the most central part of the city. Working closely with the German-Jewish community of today, whose numbers are resources are growing, we want to celebrate that legacy, reclaim this history, and move into a fascinating future. This rich Jewish Heritage tour is a “think-piece” about the richness of our past and the re-emergence of the Jewish soul in this part of the world.

Day 01 Sunday June 22 Departure from USA
Depart on your flights to Frankfurt, Germany. 

Day 02 Monday June 23 Arrival in Frankfurt
Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel to rest and refresh. Now, begin exploring the prominent northern city of Frankfurt, Germany’s financial hub. Jewish roots here go back to the 11th century, and Frankfurt now boasts one of Germany’s largest Jewish communities. Next, pay respects at the cemeteries where prominent Jews, including members of the Rothschild dynasty, Freud’s landmark patient “Anna O,” and the women’s activist Berta Pappenheim, are buried. You will also see many of Frankfurt’s landmarks, such as the Art Museum, Opera House, City Hall, and a skyscraper complex (the “Manhattan of Germany”) featuring some of the tallest buildings in Europe. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with Guest Speaker, and gain a deeper insight into Jewish-German history. Hotel Pure.

Day 03 Tuesday June 24 Frankfurt – Worms – Frankfurt
Breakfast. This morning, visit the Jewish Museum and the Judengasse (Jew’s Street) Museum. Next, leave Frankfurt for an excursion to the medieval city of Worms, home of the matchless 11th century Biblical scholar, Rashi. Worms is a site of eventful history for both Christians and Jews; today, its importance to the Jewish world is attested to by its nickname, “Little Jerusalem.” Experience a walking tour of this landmark in Jewish culture, visiting the restored Rashi Museum (“Raschihaus”), as well as the Holy Sands Cemetery, the oldest preserved Jewish burial place in Europe. A boxed Lunch will be provided during your excursion. Return to Frankfurt with time to explore. Hotel Pure.

Day 04 Wednesday June 25 Frankfurt – Heidelberg – Rothenburg – Augsburg – Munich
Breakfast.  Depart Frankfurt and travel to charming Heidelberg.  After a brief introduction to this city, experience a Question and Answer meeting in the “Hochschule für Jüdische Studien” (College of Jewish Studies), run by the Central Council of Jews in Germany. Next, on to Rothenburg, for a walking tour of its historic center. Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg, one of Europe’s most important Jewish scholars, settled here in 1246. You will see the restored “Jewish Dancing Hall”—the heart of the Jewish community since 1390. Indeed, the 14th century Judengasse is in one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters. Later, continue to Augsburg and visit its Art Nouveau Synagogue and Jewish Museum. En route to Munich, drive along “The Romantic Road,” one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful journeys. Prinzessin Hotel.

Day 05 Thursday June 26 Munich
Breakfast. Today features a tour of Munich, the capital of Bavaria. You will see Maximilian Street, the English Gardens, and the White Rose Memorial, honoring German students who bravely resisted the Nazis. Lunch is on your own in the famous “Viktualienmarkt,” where even kosher “Weisswurst” can be found. Next, visit the beautiful, recently inaugurated Jewish Community Center and Synagogue in the heart of the city. Prinzessin Hotel.

Day 06 Friday June 27 Dachau – Dresden                           
Breakfast. This morning is dedicated to the Memorial Site of the former concentration camp of Dachau, outside Munich. The site, with its Jewish Memorial Chapel, stands as an eternal reminder to Germans and the world: “Never Again!” Afterwards, depart for Dresden to receive the blessings of Sabbath, and the peace, hope and healing that it brings. Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner. Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe.

Day 07 Saturday June 28 Dresden
Breakfast. Shabbat morning is at leisure to rest, attend services, or imbibe the atmosphere of Dresden, one of Europe's most exquisite and culturally rich cities. The Wettin dynasty brought unparalleled riches - gold, precious jewels, ivory, and the “white gold” which was perfected in that era - porcelain. In 1945, the city was almost destroyed in a massive bombing raid; during the Cold War years, it lay fallow behind the Iron Curtain. Since the fall of the Wall, however, Dresden has risen out of the ashes and may be enjoyed in all its baroque beauty once again. Like the city itself, the Dresden Jewish community has also experienced a post-wall renaissance, attested to by the architecturally unique new Synagogue – a landmark on the new Dresden skyline, followed by a walking tour of old Dresden. You will see the Semper Opera, the Frauenkirche, and the Zwinger, all among the world's most impressive feats of architecture. Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe.

Day 08 Sunday June 29 Dresden – Berlin
Breakfast. Transfer by motorcoach to the complex, fascinating and ever-evolving city of Berlin, a pivotal place in both world history and culture, and the site, today, of an amazing influx of Jewish consciousness. You will see the Jewish Quarter and its synagogues. Insight into Berlin will also be gained by visiting “Check Point Charlie” and Alexanderplatz, once the cold center of Communist East Germany.  You will also see “Unter den Linden,” the Brandenburg Gate (the former gate to, and symbol of, the city of Berlin), Museum Island and the Pergamon Museum. Dinner with Guest speaker. Bristol Kempinski Hotel.

Day 09 Monday June 30 Berlin
Breakfast. Today will you see the more modern parts of Berlin and the area around the chic Kurfurstendamm Boulevard. Continue via the Reichstag and the Bellevue Palace, residence of the new German President, to the brand-new Potsdamer Square and Tiergarten. In the afternoon, embark on a trip to the outskirts of Berlin and see the exhibit in the House of the Wannsee Conference, where the “Final Solution” was planned and organized. Later, visit the Liebermann Villa (former summer home of Max Liebermann, the Jewish Impressionist) before returning to Berlin. Bristol Kempinski Hotel.

Day 10 Tuesday July 1 Berlin
Breakfast.  This morning is devoted to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed by American architect Peter Eisenman. Close to the Brandenburg Gate, this evocative memorial is composed of 2,711 soaring, tomblike stones of varying heights, amongst which one wanders on gently uneven ground. The accompanying Education Center, with its state-of- the-art exhibits, is also fascinating. Later, visit the new Jewish Museum Berlin. Finished in 2001, this architecturally profound museum was designed by Polish-born Jewish-American architect Daniel Libeskind, and provides a unique look at 2,000 years of Jewish history. Today, it is one of the most-visited sights in Berlin. Afternoon is at leisure for you to explore Berlin on your own. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner will take place at the restaurant on top of Germany’s Parliament, the Reichstag. Bristol Kempinski Hotel.

Day 11 Wednesday July 2 Berlin – USA
Breakfast. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA.