VILNA - FURTHER INFORMATION
Booking Form
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Introduction:
There is so much Jewish history in Lithuania that it is hard to know where to start. The focus of this trip will be the school of Rabbi Elijah of Vilna – known as the Vilna Gaon. We will learn about the first generation of Hasidim, and the wars between those who supported and those who opposed the new movement. We will visit the Karaite town of Trakai and learn about the founding of the Mussar Movement in Kaunas (Kovno). This is a fascinating period of history which had huge ramifications for modern Jewish life.
While it is impossible to travel in Eastern Europe without reflecting on the Holocaust, this will not primarily be a holocaust trip. The focus will be Jewish life in Lithuania before the holocaust.
Itinerary (subject to change)
Thursday:
For those arriving on the early flight to Kaunas, starting at 16:00 and overview tour of Vilnius including the Cathedral and University.
Friday:
Theme: The World of the Shtetl
Day Trip to Valkininkai (or Olkeniki in Yiddish) a former shtetl 50 km from Vilna to the south.
Friday evening service at the Choral Synagogue followed by Shabbat dinner with the local community.
Shabbat:
Theme: Vilna: The Jerusalem of Lita
Shabbat morning service in the Choral Synagogue.Walking tour of the Old Town – Jewish Vilna in the 16-18th centuries. Walking tour of Vilnius II: The Emancipation, The 19 and 20th century,
The story of the Vilna Ghetto.
Sunday:
Theme: The Other Jews: The Karaites of Lituania
Day trip to Trakai – World Heritage Site. Beautiful Palaces. Home of Karaite community. Ponar Forest (Holocaust Memorial Site)
Monday:
Theme: Kovno. The Strange World of Mussar Judaism
Day Trip to Kaunas (Kovno) Visit one of the few remaining Eastern European wooden synagogues en route to Kaunas. Kaunas Old Town. Slobodka (site of Musar Yeshiva, Kovno Ghetto). Fort IX
Transfer to Vilnius airport.
Flights:
You will need to book your own flights . There are many flight options. Details to follow.
Cost:
The cost of the trip per person in a double/twin room is £625.00 + flights. Single supplement: £90.00. (Prices subject to change in case of a big fluctuation in the exchange rate of the £ / €.)
The price includes hotel accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast basis, coaches, airport transfers in Lithuania, local guides, entrance fees to all sites, and Shabbat meals in Vilnius.
Dates:
May Trip: 11-15 October, 2018. (Thursday – Monday)
Extending your trip:
There are several options to extend this trip.
Hotel upgrade.
We are staying in a comfortable 4-star tourist class hotel. There is an option to upgrade to a 5-star hotel for those who wish to do so. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for details.
Other Trip Extensions. People have asked me about visits to specific towns and villages in Lithuania connected with their family histories. I will not be able to incorporate these visits in the main trip, but suggest that those interested in such visits extend their stay beyond the initial group visit. I have arranged for local guides to be available to help trace your family heritage if you require. Please ask for details.
Registration:
To reserve your place, you will need to complete the booking form and pay a £75 deposit. To book your place CLICK HERE.
The trip is subject to a minimum number of participants and to Standard Terms and Conditions.
This is a journey to a completely different culture and experience.
There is so much Jewish history in Lithuania that it is hard to know where to start. The focus of this trip will be the school of Rabbi Elijah of Vilna – known as the Vilna Gaon. We will learn about the first generation of Hasidim, and the wars between those who supported and those who opposed the new movement. We will visit the Karaite town of Trakai and learn about the founding of the Mussar Movement in Kaunas (Kovno). This is a fascinating period of history which had huge ramifications for modern Jewish life.
While it is impossible to travel in Eastern Europe without reflecting on the Holocaust, this will not primarily be a holocaust trip. The focus will be Jewish life in Lithuania before the holocaust.
Itinerary (subject to change)
Thursday:
For those arriving on the early flight to Kaunas, starting at 16:00 and overview tour of Vilnius including the Cathedral and University.
Friday:
Theme: The World of the Shtetl
Day Trip to Valkininkai (or Olkeniki in Yiddish) a former shtetl 50 km from Vilna to the south.
Friday evening service at the Choral Synagogue followed by Shabbat dinner with the local community.
Shabbat:
Theme: Vilna: The Jerusalem of Lita
Shabbat morning service in the Choral Synagogue.Walking tour of the Old Town – Jewish Vilna in the 16-18th centuries. Walking tour of Vilnius II: The Emancipation, The 19 and 20th century,
The story of the Vilna Ghetto.
Sunday:
Theme: The Other Jews: The Karaites of Lituania
Day trip to Trakai – World Heritage Site. Beautiful Palaces. Home of Karaite community. Ponar Forest (Holocaust Memorial Site)
Monday:
Theme: Kovno. The Strange World of Mussar Judaism
Day Trip to Kaunas (Kovno) Visit one of the few remaining Eastern European wooden synagogues en route to Kaunas. Kaunas Old Town. Slobodka (site of Musar Yeshiva, Kovno Ghetto). Fort IX
Transfer to Vilnius airport.
Flights:
You will need to book your own flights . There are many flight options. Details to follow.
Cost:
The cost of the trip per person in a double/twin room is £625.00 + flights. Single supplement: £90.00. (Prices subject to change in case of a big fluctuation in the exchange rate of the £ / €.)
The price includes hotel accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast basis, coaches, airport transfers in Lithuania, local guides, entrance fees to all sites, and Shabbat meals in Vilnius.
Dates:
May Trip: 11-15 October, 2018. (Thursday – Monday)
Extending your trip:
There are several options to extend this trip.
Hotel upgrade.
We are staying in a comfortable 4-star tourist class hotel. There is an option to upgrade to a 5-star hotel for those who wish to do so. If you are interested in this option, please contact me for details.
Other Trip Extensions. People have asked me about visits to specific towns and villages in Lithuania connected with their family histories. I will not be able to incorporate these visits in the main trip, but suggest that those interested in such visits extend their stay beyond the initial group visit. I have arranged for local guides to be available to help trace your family heritage if you require. Please ask for details.
Registration:
To reserve your place, you will need to complete the booking form and pay a £75 deposit. To book your place CLICK HERE.
The trip is subject to a minimum number of participants and to Standard Terms and Conditions.
This is a journey to a completely different culture and experience.
