Trips 2011/12 invites

Hi,

 

Our trips provide an unforgettable insight into Jewish history plus the rich culture exploring the world that once existed, whilst concentrating on the present through the remaining communities. Join us and learn about the astonishing contribution the Jewish communities once made and enjoy the main sites of each particular country :-

 

Krakow – 3 Chazons & choir week-end opening of Jewish heritage festival 24^th June 2011

This will be the 21^st Jewish music festival recognized the world over as the best for the quality of the invited performers. See the website for a film of last year's 20^th anniversary and schedule of events, which include films and lectures www.jewishfestival.pl (...think Edinburgh festival with a wholly Jewish interest). The ruach in Krakow pours out of its cobbled streets and lends itself to make the experience of this week-end one that you will never forget. See Tour 8 on our website with a full programme for the weekend which had to be altered as the Auschwitz-Birkenau trip is now on Monday with the shtetl tour now cancelled as on Sunday at the Galicia museum The Israel Embassy are hosting YAD VASHEM righteous gentile awards to those who hid my father for 3 years – limited places left so book now

KRAKOW Klezmer climax conclusion of festival 1^st July 2011 A lot of fun culminating with the world famous Jewish music extravaganza, starting  on Saturday in the main Jewish square at 6 p.m. and ending in the early hours of Sunday morning. This will be enjoyed by some 15,000 people...a site to behold. We also visit Auschwitz-Birkenau on the Sunday – See tour 9 on our website for the full programme and cost

ROME – the Eternal city 2nd September 2011 Week-end in Rome consisting 3 days of ancient, classical and ghetto tours, staying in Hotel overlooking the Forum Rome – A 3,000 year multi layered museum under the open sky with the worlds oldest continuing Jewish community outside Israel. The former ghetto is fascinating & thriving again with some of the best kosher restaurants in Europe. See www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk for full agenda and cost

 

Romania, Moldova & Bessarabia trip for 7 days leaving on 15^th September 2011 Romania & Moldova covering the former Bessarabia & beautiful Transylvanian region of a former once vast Jewish presence where still communities exist and synagogues are being restored. We fly with Wizz airline to Cluz airport in the North West of Romania returning from Bacau in the North East by Blue Air. We will have the use of minibus and guide at all times, staying in 3+ star hotels in interesting towns and areas of natural beauty. If you are interested please indicate ASAP which towns or areas you wish to visit in order that we may adjust the itinerary in what promises to be a great trip - See www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk for full agenda and cost

Magical Morocco Marrakesh CHILL-OUT weekend 27^th October 2011 - Following a hugely successful sold out 2011 trip, and further enquiries, demand will be huge for our next Morocco trips. We suggest you book early, as limited rooms available. We will be staying at the magnificent KSAR ANIKA RIAD with gourmet kosher food in evenings and shabbos, with only 1 or 2 guided walks planned. Four days 3 nights at a cost of £485 - See www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk for full agenda and cost

DANUBE Luxury 8 day river cruise from Budapest from £999 per person in November 2011 JHTee is proud to announce that we have negotiated with a leading cruise Company a truly exciting trip on an exceptional boat, and at an affordable price. This amazing offer will navigate 4 countries and the 3 capital cities of Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna before concluding in Germany, and flying home from Munich or the reverse trip flying home from Budapest - See www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk for full agenda and cost

FULL Morocco tour 16^th February 2012 is now confirmed for full 12 day trip, including Sahara desert. The way the trip has been planned only allows a return flight home after 8 days when we arrive in Marrakesh, for those not wishing to stay for the full trip. Our guide for the entire time is Raphael Elmaleh [excellent raconteur] who is responsible for the only Jewish museum in the Arab world and involved in the restoration of shuls and cemeteries and Jewish artifacts.
Tunisia including Djerba island – Planned for March 2012

ISTANBUL Turkey 26^th April 2012

BALTIC states trip 15^th May 2012 Vilnius Lithuania, Riga Latvia and Tallinn Estonia – Travelling 3 countries and capitals over 7 days - See www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk for full agenda and cost

UKRAINE Autumn 2012 - 10 days covering everything from Lvov to Odessa - See www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk for full agenda and cost

Poland – Central Poland Warsaw Lodz & Lublin 8^th June 2012 to coincide with Euro Championships

Incredible INDIA November 2012 - See www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk for full agenda and cost

 

    Marcel Manson
 

Jewish Heritage Tours

6, Golf Close

Stanmore

Middlesex

England    HA7 2PP

Tel No   0044 0 208 9545074

Fax No 0044 0 208 954 5074

Mobile N0 0771 2290520

e-mail:     marcel@jewishheritagetours.co.uk

Web site: www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk

 

Spring - Gil from MH Denver

As spring settles upon us, it is a great time to look at what's ahead. Everything is blooming and rejuvenating. So to, if any of you is feeling sluggish from the winter hibernation, let this be a wake up call. The weather is warm and the sun is shining so get your tuchus off the couch and make some moves. Plan some cool events, previously impossible because of the gloomy grays of winter.
The winter was great. Don't get me wrong, we all had some good times. You've got all those holidays smushed in there, with endless meals and celebration. Of course New Years and Christmas time is fun no matter where you are. And yes there was sledding and skiing and even some caroling, drinking warm cocoa by the fire and that good stuff. But let's be honest... outdoors is where it's at, the way G-d intended.
At Denver Moishe House it means that frisbee season is back, among other things. We make sure at least every month we have a relaxing outdoor activity, usually in the park. It's good for you, good for soul, your neshama, your Qi' if you will. Grab some snacks, a blanket and your friends. Put down the blackberry. I promise it will be ok. Life is all good.
Check out Hazon to find out about community gardens in your area. Go out for a day of planting and harvesting. It feels good and you can eat the benefits of all your hard work. Spread the joy of spring to everyone you know. Do some Tikun Olam or something! Just get out there. This is the true cry of Spring. And it is upon us, so all head. Make sure to keep that smile wide as you step outside into the sunny blue skies. Ya they'll be a rainy day here or there... but that's life baby!

Ben Levinson-Moishe House St. Louis

Hey Everyone,

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already been 8 months since I have moved into Moishe House. It seems like just a couple weeks ago that I was talking with Lee'at and Jordan about filling their last available slot. Now, all of a sudden, I am a veteran of the house for more than half a year. A lot has changed in my life since I have joined, I have a girlfriend now who is unbelievable, I have been promoted at work, and I became the vice chair for social activities at SLIC (Saint Louis Israel Connection, Israeli advocacy group).


I think about becoming a Moishe House resident daily and I always eventually come to the conclusion that I've been having such a great time and am so much better for it. Before I came to Moishe House I was quite a lazy person. I had plenty of friends that were involved with Jewish organizations around the community and did their best to involve me in all of them but the only thing on my mind was getting back to the couch to watch the game. I would never seek out things to do actively and mostly waited around the house after work until someone called me up with something to do.


Now that I am in Moishe House I have so many more opportunities to go to different events, specifically to represent the house and introduce new people, and see if I would like to become more involved with the different things I'm being exposed to. For instance, I was approached by an Orthadox synagogue a month ago to help out with an Indian Shabbat they were planning. Me, not being a very religious person, most likely would have shrugged them off not being very interested in the event had it been only for myself. Now that I am in Moishe House, I have a vested interest in developing creative programming that attracts Jewish young adults from all different denominations and saw this as a great idea to reach out to more observant Jews in the area. At the event I was greeted warmly by the congregation (the Rabbi actually friended me on Facebook prior to the event) and had a wonderful time.

I'm happy to have Moishe House in my life and be such a driving force behind it because it allows me to explore new things that I most likely wouldn't have wanted much to do with. It has opened me up to new friendships and keeps me thinking about better ways to connect the community. For all of this, I am very thankful!

Ben Levinson

MH MoCo

Hi all!

Moishe MoCo.... in the past few months we've moved to Rockville, brought together a new and changing demographic, had an easier walk from the Metro, and met up with SPRING! Not only have I personally gained so much from a moving from the basement to the master bedroom, but the house can now boast an elaborate backyard perfect for BBQ's and flag football (and slip n' slide?) We're already taking advantage of the warmer weather with picnics and outdoor Shabbat dinners.

The new neighborhood is beautiful, friendly, and most importantly JEWISH. We just got a Mishloach Manot from our neighbors down the block and partnered with the local Aish rabbi for Jewish learning opportunities. We live within a mile of four synagogues, and two miles from the JCC and Federation. How great is it to go to the JCC gym and see people working out in kippas and speaking Hebrew?

Micah Saiger - MHLA

Before I get into how the LA Moishe House is doing I’d like to give some background on how I ended up living here. A little more then a year ago I was soaking in the sun on the Tel Aviv beach, getting lost a bit, having a good time. I was there to get away, relax, meet new people. After being in Israel for around five/six months I got a call from my friend Jon (miss you buddy, he’s now living in the Portland Moishe House). He started talking to me about Moishe House. I heard about it before and had known a couple people living in the previous La House, which had now disbanded. So Jon and I emailed back and forth, got a group together, applied and luckily got the gig. I packed up my stuff and left Israel a week later excited to get started - little did I know how big of an impact this decision would have on my life.
I’ve been living in the LA house for a year now, and it’s really amazing to see how much this house has grown. The house naturally started off with each resident bringing their circle of friends to events. Which was great and a good time, but we didn’t get the feeling like we were reaching out enough. Slowly through gaining a good reputation from a mix of well planned events, and creating a relaxing environment for people to hang out in, we were able to really branch out and create the community we’d hoped for. We’ve done everything from hosting a Shabbat dinner and concert at our house, to dodger gaming, to learning how to pickle, and much much more. It’s been a wonderful year for me, I’ve met amazing people in my community. People with very different backgrounds, that I most likely wouldn’t have ever crossed paths with if it wasn’t for Moishe House. It’s been really unbelievable, and I feel honored to live here. But none of this, the success of the house and the events, could have happened without my wonderful roommates. We have our differences, Julie being a raw chef, Sonia being a teacher, Rodrigo being a screenwriter, Jon who’s now working in the non-profit world, and me, a freelance graphic designer. Pretty eclectic group. They work hard to make these events work, and really have an effect on the Los Angeles young Jewish community. I applaud them for putting up with me, and for pushing this house to the limits. This is a great group of people, and this house’s success is a result of their hard work. I’m looking forward to the future of this house. If you’re reading this and haven't been to an event, don’t hesitate, we’re just some good people looking to have a good time.

Micah Saiger

Los Angeles Moishe House

Portlandia by Jonathan Morgan MH Portland

Portlandia has become an attraction for young adults. I've been here for a month and about half the young adults I meet are in similar shoes. This city is filled with transplants like myself who were attracted to green living, youth culture, night life, Powell's City of Books, and so on. It's actually a totally awesome city and so far it's been a wonderful move. Aside from my exodus from Los Angeles, I also came here to become involved in a growing and relatively underdeveloped Jewish community personally and professionally (part-time at least). I think it is important to grow our presence and unite as a community wherever there is a critical mass of Jewish people. Having spent time in the Bay Area, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles, it is empowering to know that I'm a bigger fish in a community that isn't perceived as a developed hub of Jewish life even though there at 40,000 Jews among 2,000,000.

As a resident of Moishe House, I have had a unique advantage as a new Portlandite for a few reasons and I completely credit my current roommates Becca Cigan, Julia Gazdag, Rachel House and (unofficially) Freddy McSteady and previous residents like Jeremy Rogers and Jodi Berris for building a vibrant presence and following. Anyone who is even remotely involved in Portland Jewry knows about Moishe House. We are spotlighted as the thing for young Jewish adults to seek out. Upon my move, I was instantly introduced to many established Jewish organizations in town and invited to several people's homes who had heard about me. What a crazy concept! There was even an article published in the Jewish Review about us http://www.jewishreview.org/local/Moishe-Houses-fresh-faces-expand-young-adult-options.

For those of you who don't know, Portland has an unemployment situation that is more depressed than most major US cities because of the influx of young people in search of higher quality of living without a job in mind. I am certainly in this category, but because of Moishe House connections I have an advantage that exemplifies the welcoming experience I've had so far.

The air here is crisp, there is no sales tax, and the beer flows like the Willamette. There is a lot of work to be done because most Jewish people here are uninvolved, but Moishe House is here to fill that void. Until I am outside of the target audience for Moishe House programming, I know it will continue to be an integral part of my social and Jewish life and I am proud to further its mission.

Stephanie - MH Orange County

I’ve graduated from College, moved back home with my parents, feel all alone… NOW WHAT?!

This is a common story for many young adults that are in their “awkward” years. No, this is not Junior High but the period in your life where you do not have your OWN community. You are too old to attend Hillel and other college events and too young to join a synagogue where the majority of members are married and have children.

I was in the same boat. After graduating school in Boston, I moved back with my parents in Orange County, California. All my college friends were 3,000 miles away and I was left alone all day searching for jobs and hanging out with my only friends at home – my dogs - Pretty thrilling after college life!

I was then introduced to the Moishe House where I finally had somewhere to go, ALL THE TIME! I love my dogs, but you can only play fetch so many times. This was the place to be to make friends, connections, and even network! Because of Moishe House I was able to find my current job in one of the worst economies!

Soon I was asked to move into the Moishe House and become a Resident. Being a Resident is completely different that a participant. I am obligated to plan 8 events a month, attend all events, and know everyone’s name – OY, What an obligation! Yes, but it’s also been the greatest Mitzvah that I have had the privilege to/and will continue to participate in. The opportunity to grow and enhance the Orange County Jewish Young Adult community is something I never even dreamt I could participate in, never mind lead!


Moishe House is a necessity for the survival of the growing Jewish Community.

Stephanie