Our day started out with a walking tour of Prague. The tour was based on the Charles Bridge where we saw another beautiful view of the city. On the bridge many famous buildings were visible and our tour guide pointed them out to us. The tour guide also showed us the statues on the bridge and explained their significance to Prague.
After lunch and a short shopping break, our tour continued. The focus was on the Jewish community in Prague especially in the time of the ghettos. We started in a synagogue that was converted to a museum. There were many artifacts from the ghettos and information about the history of the Jewish culture in the Prague and the Czech Republic.
We then moved on to a memorial of those who perished during their time in the Jewish ghettos. The memorial was a large, bare building. On the walls were listed the names of all the Czechs who perished in the ghettos. It was moving to see all the names and it was a subtle reminder to us all of our visit to Auschwitz. Outside the memorial was a Jewish cemetery. Our guide explained many of the Jewish traditions of death and burial.
Our tour ended with a visit to two synagogues. The first was the oldest active synagogue in Europe. We then moved on to the Spanish/Moorish synagogue. Our tour guide explained the Moorish influence and pointed out the differences in the two synagogues.
We returned to the hotel and later in the evening we started the closing ceremonies for the trip with “Open Mic”. For those who have never attended the GYFs, Open Mic is an opportunity for all the delegates to share their experience(s) of the trip. We were asked some specific questions about activities on the trip and everyone was given the chance to put their two cents in. We often got off topic, but at some point during the evening every delegate had explained how our trip had effected their life and what they would take away from the experience.
For the first time on the trip, we received homework. Everyone seemed a little disappointed, but when Rod explained what it was, our opinions changed. We were asked to write anything from one sentence to a paragraph about the impact the GYFHC had on our lives. We all left in silence and found our own areas around the hotel to reflect and write. With this second to last day and the opportunity to share our emotions and reflect together on the trip, we the delegates have been able to grow even closer. We thought saying good-bye would be hard before, but after all the sharing today, it will be even more difficult.
By Maria Sewell
After lunch and a short shopping break, our tour continued. The focus was on the Jewish community in Prague especially in the time of the ghettos. We started in a synagogue that was converted to a museum. There were many artifacts from the ghettos and information about the history of the Jewish culture in the Prague and the Czech Republic.
We then moved on to a memorial of those who perished during their time in the Jewish ghettos. The memorial was a large, bare building. On the walls were listed the names of all the Czechs who perished in the ghettos. It was moving to see all the names and it was a subtle reminder to us all of our visit to Auschwitz. Outside the memorial was a Jewish cemetery. Our guide explained many of the Jewish traditions of death and burial.
Our tour ended with a visit to two synagogues. The first was the oldest active synagogue in Europe. We then moved on to the Spanish/Moorish synagogue. Our tour guide explained the Moorish influence and pointed out the differences in the two synagogues.
We returned to the hotel and later in the evening we started the closing ceremonies for the trip with “Open Mic”. For those who have never attended the GYFs, Open Mic is an opportunity for all the delegates to share their experience(s) of the trip. We were asked some specific questions about activities on the trip and everyone was given the chance to put their two cents in. We often got off topic, but at some point during the evening every delegate had explained how our trip had effected their life and what they would take away from the experience.
For the first time on the trip, we received homework. Everyone seemed a little disappointed, but when Rod explained what it was, our opinions changed. We were asked to write anything from one sentence to a paragraph about the impact the GYFHC had on our lives. We all left in silence and found our own areas around the hotel to reflect and write. With this second to last day and the opportunity to share our emotions and reflect together on the trip, we the delegates have been able to grow even closer. We thought saying good-bye would be hard before, but after all the sharing today, it will be even more difficult.
By Maria Sewell
1 comment:
I am so proud of you, Maria. I know this was a big step for you and seeing and understanding all that the Czech Republic has to offer (Even the bad)
The hate man can have for man based of a different set of religious beliefs defies all logic. ....But it still continues to happen. As the younger generation MUST do, you must know your history so your sons and daughters never make the same mistake. Noticing the past posts tell me you and your team made it to Auschwitz. What an awful place.
I am proud you are mature enough to truly understand what happened there.
I will see you at BANDCAMP when you return home.
Musically yours,
Mr. Guanajuato
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