Roots, Ruins and Renaissance: A Jewish Tour of 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 Berlin 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 of Germany 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 Monday June 21 Arrival in Frankfurt
Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and deluxe motor coach and transfer to the city. This afternoon, begin exploring the prominent northern city of Frankfurt during a panoramic city sightseeing tour. Frankfurt is 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. Dinner. NH Frankfurt City Hotel.

Day 02 Tuesday June 22 Frankfurt – Worms – Frankfurt
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy guided tours of the Frankfurt 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 locally-guided walking tour of this landmark in Jewish culture, visiting the restored Rashi Museum (“Raschihaus”). See the Holy Sands Cemetery, the oldest preserved Jewish burial place in Europe. Return to Frankfurt. Remainder of the day at leisure. NH Frankfurt City Hotel.

Day 03 Wednesday June 23 Heidelberg – Rothenburg – Augsburg
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Frankfurt and travel to charming Heidelberg.  Enjoy a locally-guided walking tour, including visits to the Heidelberg Castle courtyard and Big Barrel. Next, 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. Continue, on to Rothenburg, for a locally-guided walking tour of its historic center. Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg, one of Europe’s most important Jewish scholars, settled here in 1246. 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 where you will enjoy guided visits to the Augsburg Art Nouveau Synagogue and Jewish Museum. Augsburg Dorint Hotel.

Day 04 Thursday June 24 Augsburg – Munich
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, en route to Munich, drive along “The Romantic Road,” one of the world’s most stunningly beautiful journeys. Upon arrival in Munich, begin with a locally-guided city sightseeing tour, the capital of Bavaria. 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. Later today, enjoy a guided visit to the beautiful, recently inaugurated Munich Jewish Community Center and Synagogue in the heart of the city. Munich Hotel Prinzessin Elisabeth.

Day 05 Friday June 25 Munich – Dachau – Dresden                           
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning is dedicated to the Memorial Site of the former concentration camp of Dachau, outside Munich. A guided tour of the site introduces the Jewish Memorial Chapel, which stands as an eternal reminder to Germans and the world: “Never Again!” Afterwards, depart for Dresden to receive the blessings of Shabbat, and the peace, hope and healing that it brings. Friday Night Dinner. Dresden Hilton Hotel.

Day 06 Saturday June 26 Dresden
Breakfast at the hotel. This 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. This afternoon, enjoy a locally-guided walking tour of old Dresden. See the Semper Opera, the Frauenkirche, and the Zwinger, all among the world's most impressive feats of architecture. Dresden Hilton Hotel.

Day 07 Sunday June 27 Dresden – Berlin
Breakfast at the hotel. 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. During a Jewish tour of Berlin, you will see the Jewish Quarter and its synagogues. Insight into Berlin will also be gained by visiting “Check Point Charlie” Museum 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. A visit will also be made to the Centrum Judaicum, Berlin’s golden-domed New Synagogue, whose exhibit features architectural fragments and the remaining masonry of the former Synagogue. Tonight, enjoy dinner with Guest speaker. Berlin Hilton Hotel.

Day 08 Monday June 28 Berlin
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 visit the exhibit in the House of the Wannsee Conference, where the “Final Solution” was planned and organized. Later, enjoy a guided visit to the Liebermann Villa (former summer home of Max Liebermann, the Jewish Impressionist) before returning to Berlin. Berlin Hilton Hotel.

Day 09 Tuesday June 29 Berlin
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning is devoted to a visit 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, enjoy a farewell dinner at the restaurant on top of Germany’s Parliament, the Reichstag. Berlin Hilton Hotel.

Day 10 Wednesday June 30 Berlin – USA
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA.