Walking Through History: Emet Visits Prague, Poland, & Vienna

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It was the Jewish heritage trip of a lifetime when 45 Emet Outreach students visited Prague, Poland, and Vienna this summer. The itinerary highlighted Jewish survival amid destruction, and its lessons resonated across generations. Over the course of eight days, participants gained gratitude for their Jewish heritage, a deeper appreciation for their daily lives, and a renewed determination to strengthen their connection to Hashem.

Daniel Niyazov, an Adelphi student, explained, “The Poland trip was a powerful and moving experience. Visiting the camps, synagogues, and cemeteries made the history of the Holocaust feel so real and personal. It was heartbreaking, but also deeply meaningful, and it gave me a stronger sense of connection to our people and our story.”

Embarking on the annual tour has become a milestone of the Emet Leaders Fellowship. The 10-week program provides an introduction to Judaism with inspiring classes and uplifting Shabbatons. Students who completed at least one semester were eligible for the trip. They were accompanied by a devoted Emet team: Rabbi Mordechai Kraft, Co-Founder and Educational Director; Rabbi Reuven Kigel, Campus Director; Alexandra Zarka, Campus Mekarevet; and Liora Nimchinsky, Fellowship Mentor. Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg, Emet Co-Founder and CEO, joined the group for Shabbat and the final days. The group was also guided by Rabbi Tzvi Shiloni of J-Roots, who served as a dynamic and sensitive tour leader.

The itinerary was designed to provide an in-depth perspective on Jewish life before and after the Holocaust, intentionally blending moments of joy with the memory of despair. From the outset, there was tremendous ruach — light and singing in even the darkest places. The trip began in Prague and continued through Jewish epicenters in Poland including Warsaw, Lublin, Lizhensk, Tarnow, and Krakow. Visits to cemeteries, synagogues, yeshivot, and the kevarim of tzadikim revealed the richness of Jewish communities before the war. Visits to ghettos and concentration camps such as Treblinka, Majdanek, and Auschwitz-Birkenau deepened the students’ understanding of the attempted annihilation of European Jewry.

A memorable Shabbat in Krakow featured elevated davening, spirited zemirot, meaningful conversations, and a rousing Havdalah. Among the many riveting experiences, the group shared an unforgettable full-circle moment with Ronny Goldshmid, a St. John’s University student. Ronny was able to complete a long-awaited chapter in her family’s history. During a visit to a cemetery outside Auschwitz, the group davened by the kever of her great-grandfather Izydor Palinker.

“One of the most meaningful moments for me was the opportunity to visit my great-grandfather’s grave,” Ronny shared. “Since his passing in 1948, no one from our family had been able to return. When he was buried, there were no men present to say kaddish. To stand there, generations later, and hear the men from our group take the initiative to recite kaddish on his behalf for the very first time was deeply moving — an emotional moment that brought tears to all of us, and it is something my family will never forget.”

The final day was spent in Vienna, where the group explored Jewish sites and enjoyed the scenery after the intensity of Poland. At the closing banquet, each student commemorated the experience by making a personal commitment to expand their Jewish observance.

For many, the trip was transformative. Elizabeth Fattakhov, a Queensborough Community College student, reflected: “The Emet Poland trip was incredibly impactful. Learning about the history of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust was so eye-opening and humbling. It really made me appreciate how fortunate I am and the sacrifices our people have made. Getting closer with my friends and the rabbis was so meaningful. I now realize how many blessings I have from Hashem.”

When they returned home, students carried with them a deeper sense of Jewish identity and a determination to honor those who came before them. Ronny summed it up best: “Emet’s dedication to preserving Jewish heritage and creating opportunities for connection and remembrance is truly invaluable. This was far more than a trip. It was a profound and transformative experience that will stay with me and my family forever.”