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Congregation Beth Am's Trip to Roudnice & Prague

Led by Rabbi David & Debbie Kornberg,
Frederick & Shari Schenk, Co-Chairs
and Lynn Schenk, Honorary Chair

Congregation Beth Am's Trip to Roudnice & Prague Our Czech Torah scroll is a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Jewish people. Join us as we take our Torah back to Roudnice, where it served the Jewish congregation there for hundreds of years. We'll base ourselves in nearby Prague, encountering the wonders of this medieval city with extensive Jewish roots. We'll grow through our shared experiences, from the creative to the historical and spiritual, as we explore the Czech Republic together on this emotional journey. Register today

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Prague

Day 1: Sunday, April 30, 2023: WELCOME TO PRAGUE!

  • Welcome to Prague! We begin by taking in the lovely vista from the Petrin Lookout Tower, offering panoramic views of the city.
  • We cross the Vltava River via the famous Charles Bridge, stopping to see the Crucifix and Calvary Statue, an example of medieval European anti-Semitism.
  • Along the way, we'll stop to taste the famous trdelník, a pastry made from rolled dough that is grilled then topped with a mixture of sugar and walnuts.
  • We continue to the Astronomical Clock, and if the time is just right (on the hour), we will see the procession of the Twelve Apostles set into motion, and the stereotyped Jewish man with his bag of money, representing avarice.
  • After lunch on our own, we continue to the Town Square to see the statue of the Czech revolutionary, Jan Hus, who reformed the Czech universities and inspired the Hussites, who rebelled against Catholic doctrine.
  • We check into our hotel, then enjoy a welcome dinner, highlighting the traditional Czech dishes including gloush, dumplings and of course in traditional Czech fashion, BEER!
  • Afterwards, we return to the hotel on our own and enjoy the evening together.

Overnight in Prague


 

Day 2: Exploring Prague

Day 2: Monday, May 1, 2023: EXPLORING PRAGUE (CZECH LABOUR DAY)

  • Breakfast at our hotel.
  • Today, we travel to the home of our community's “oldest member,” Roudnice Nad Labem, literally meaning “Roudnice on the River.” Here, we will go to the Jewish cemetery for a short tour and Shacharit led by Rabbi Kornberg in the footsteps of the Beit Tahara, honored by the iconic arches at our synagogue entrance.
  • While in Roudnice, we give back and connect personally to the site by participating in the cleaning and upkeep of the cemetery.
  • We enjoy a boxed lunch along the way.
  • We drive to Terezin, the former "model" Nazi concentration camp. The path we will take is the same one the Jews of Roudnice took in February of 1942. We visit the Jewish cemetery, the hidden synagogue and the museum filled with the artwork of former prisoners, some being from Roudnice. We stop by the memorial monument and pass through the town itself. We'll also hear the stories of some of the great rabbis imprisoned here, including Leo Baeck and Regina Jonas, the first woman ordained a rabbi.
  • We finish our time in Terezin at the hidden synagogue with a short memorial.
  • We return to our hotel to refresh then set out for dinner on own.

Overnight in Prague


 

Day 3: Jewish Prague

Day 3: Tuesday, May 2, 2023: JEWISH PRAGUE

  • Breakfast at our hotel.
  • This morning, we enjoy a tour of Golden Prague including:
  • The 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle
  • St. Vitus' Cathedral, the largest and most important church in the Czech Republic
  • A stroll down the Golden Lane consisting of small brightly painted houses, souvenir shops and a museum of medieval armory as our guide tells us stories about Franz Kafka, the famous Jewish author who lived in a home at the bottom of the hill with his sister for a short period of time
  • Lunch on own; we recommend Kuchyn (‘kitchen' in Czech), a traditional restaurant where guests can choose their meals from the open dishes served family-style.
  • After lunch, our tour continues in Josefov, Prague's Jewish town, where we see the Old Town Hall, the Alt-Neu Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the Maisel Synagogue, the Jewish Cemetery, and the State Jewish Museum. This area, site of the former Jewish ghetto of Prague, offers a unique window into the past.
  • This evening we encounter hope for the future, as we meet with the congregation of the newly opened Progressive synagogue Etz Chaim. We'll hear from Rabbi David Maxa, the first Czech-born Rabbi serving in Prague since World War II. Rabbi Maxa will tell us the story of Etz Chaim's recently returned Czech Torah Scroll, a heritage we share!
  • We return to the hotel and enjoy a free evening for dinner on own.

Overnight in Prague

 


 

Day 4: Plzen

Day 4: Wednesday, May 3, 2023: PLZEN

  • Breakfast at our hotel.
  • Today, we take a day trip to Plzen and visit the Great Synagogue, the second-largest synagogue in Europe. Built in the Moorish style, it stands as a testament to the once-great Jewish community in Plzen.
  • Lunch on own.
  • We take part in a special program with the local community and visit the River Rock Memorial, created by a local school, that placed one rock for each Jew from Plzen.
  • We end our day at the world-famous Pilsner Brewery for dinner and, yes, beer tasting before returning to Prague.

Overnight in Prague


 

Day 5: Time to say goodbye!

Day 5: Thursday, May 4, 2023: DEPARTURE

  • Early breakfast (or breakfast boxes) and check out of our hotel.
  • We transfer to the airport for our flight to Israel (Flight not included).

THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!

*Itinerary subject to change
 


 

Included in our journey:

  • 4 nights Hotel Grand Majestic Plaza, Prague
  • All touring and sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach with an expert English-speaking guide
  • Breakfast daily
  • 1 boxed lunch 
  • Welcome dinner
  • Farewell dinner at Pilsner Brewery
  • Entrance fees per itinerary
  • Airport transfers if arriving/departing with the main group
  • Porterage
  • Bottled water (2 bottles per person, per day on the bus)

Not included:

  • Roundtrip airfare, departure taxes & fuel surcharges (Contact Ayelet Tours for assistance)
  • Border taxes or visa fees
  • Tips to guide, driver and dining room personnel ($20 per person, per day; pre-collected)
  • Meals not listed above
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance (recommended - group policy available)
  • Costs associated with COVID-19 testing or vaccination
Note: Included  meals are not kosher, only kosher style (no "treif" served, fish and vegetarian entrees offered).  Hotel breakfast buffets offer a variety of vegetarian options alongside a wider range of choices.

 

Register today

Mon, March 18 2024 8 Adar II 5784