Embedded Files
May 3, 2024
The Albion College Holocaust Studies Service Learning Project travels to Poland this weekend! Follow us as we tour Wroclaw and work in a Jewish cemetery; then head to Krakow and Auschwitz.
May 6
Our first afternoon in Wroclaw! Here we are on the main square (the Rynek) enjoying the lovely architecture and the relaxed atmosphere. We had a wonderful time. Wished our luggage were here!
May 7
Three students and one professor came to the Lotnicza Street cemetery at about 8:30 this morning. A previous caretaker (who speaks Polish and English) drove us there to meet the current caretaker (who speaks only Polish). Thanks to our translator, the caretaker was able to learn a little about us and then explain how he would like for us to spend our time there.
After all the introductions and a brief tour of the cemetery, we were able to clear the best part of four long paths near the back wall. The cobble stones weren't always flat and were always covered with dirt, ivy, and tiny volunteer saplings. We're feeling pretty good about our first day. We were working in the footsteps of the Albion College HSSLP teams that did similar work in the early 2000s. They proved that clearing the paths provides access to areas of the cemetery that need to be cleared of much, much more.
Now that our luggage has arrived complete with clean clothes, work gloves, and sturdy shoes, we are more than ready for tomorrow!
May 8
Nicole: Today we had the chance to clear off debris from several grave markers. The night and day difference was incredible, and it was great to see the positive impact of our hard work. Further, it revealed how important the work we are doing here is. I am so glad to be a part of it and can’t wait to go back tomorrow!
Nicole: Today we had the chance to clear off debris from several grave markers. The night and day difference was incredible, and it was great to see the positive impact of our hard work. Further, it revealed how important the work we are doing here is. I am so glad to be a part of it and can’t wait to go back tomorrow!
Macy: The work we are doing in the cemetery makes me feel at peace. Not only because we are uncovering headstones and clearing pathways, but because we are revealing the names of a father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, friend, whatever they may have been considered as. Standing there and listening to the birds and the sound of nothing, is beautiful. It’s truly heartwarming to be here, and I’m so grateful.
Macy: The work we are doing in the cemetery makes me feel at peace. Not only because we are uncovering headstones and clearing pathways, but because we are revealing the names of a father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, friend, whatever they may have been considered as. Standing there and listening to the birds and the sound of nothing, is beautiful. It’s truly heartwarming to be here, and I’m so grateful.
Our group at the memorial for Breslau Jews who gave their lives for the Fatherland in WW I.
Our group at the memorial for Breslau Jews who gave their lives for the Fatherland in WW I.
The cemetery is achingly beautiful.
The cemetery is achingly beautiful.
Emily: I enjoyed learning about the work that Albion College students completed in the previous Holocaust Studies Service Learning Program trips, such as clearing a bunch of fallen headstones, finding an unknown pathway, and discovering an urn field. I love seeing how this program has made a lasting, positive impact on and contribution to the cemetery. I am excited that our group will get to carry on their legacy and continue to restore areas of the cemetery.
May 9
Our Tour of Wroclaw!
It was a beautiful day for a tour! We walked from our hotel to the courtyard of the White Stork Synagogue where we met our tour guide Michal. As we stood on the place where Jews reported for deportation from 1941-1943, Michal gave us a brief history of Jews in Wroclaw (then known as Breslau).
The beautiful interior of the White Stork Synagogue. It was not destroyed in the anti-Jewish riots that took place all over Germany on November 9-10, 1938. It was looted and defaced, however, and fell out of use until 2010 when renovations were complete. Because the Jewish population of Wroclaw is so small, the synagogue is used mostly for concerts and other public events.
The New (Reform) Jewish Synagogue was not so lucky. Unlike the White Stork Synagogue, it stood at a safe distance from the property of ethnic Germans and was therefore destroyed by fire. This memorial commemorates the tragedy.
Polish Wroclaw (formerly German Breslau) is home to many beautiful buildings, including this town hall. Construction began in 1399. As the city expanded, the town hall expanded with it. Because its Gothic style remained mostly intact during the 1945 Soviet bombing of Breslau, it still presides over the main square.
Our trip from the White Stork Synagogue past the New Synagogue memorial and the town hall took us around the main square and down to the university, stopping at former Jewish residences and places of business along the way. We learned how many Jews played significant roles in populating Breslau and fueling its economy. At our last stop, we visited a Jewish cemetery established in the 17th century. Its dignified, sometimes vandalized grave markers reminded us once more of the glorious, heart-wrenching history of Breslau Jews.
May 10
The cemetery caretaker ruled that today would be a day of rest. "In three days you have done the work of seven days," he said. How then to spend a day in the cemetery?
Uncover headstones.
Bailee: The following photos are a before and after of two headstones that were cleared off. I feel like these photos really represent how impactful our work is. We uncover headstones and clear paths, giving access to sections of this cemetery that may not ever be seen otherwise. In some places the headstones had been so overgrown or buried you couldn’t even tell they were there.
Journal.
Journal.
Reflect.
Reflect.
In 2019, Albion College students cleared the field pictured above. Many of the gravestones they uncovered are once more mounted on their foundations. Loved ones who left Breslau and were never seen again are also memorialized in the cemetery.
In 2019, Albion College students cleared the field pictured above. Many of the gravestones they uncovered are once more mounted on their foundations. Loved ones who left Breslau and were never seen again are also memorialized in the cemetery.
May 11
We are in Krakow!
We are in Krakow!
Care for a ride around the market square?
Care for a ride around the market square?
May 12
Auschwitz day. Still processing. More later!
Auschwitz day. Still processing. More later!
May 13
Krakow tour! We started in the market square and made our way to the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364. Here we are in the courtyard of the first building, which housed the Faculty of Theology. Today the university educates about 40,000 students, covering many disciplines housed in several buildings. None of our students decided to transfer.
Krakow tour! We started in the market square and made our way to the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364. Here we are in the courtyard of the first building, which housed the Faculty of Theology. Today the university educates about 40,000 students, covering many disciplines housed in several buildings. None of our students decided to transfer.
Our tour proceeded to the Wawel Castle and Cathedral, located on a hill at a bend in the Vistula River. The castle dates back to the 14th century. Fortunately for Krakow, the Soviets had more important targets (like Warsaw and Breslau/Wroclaw) when they invaded in 1945 . Krakow's magnificent buildings were spared.
Our tour proceeded to the Wawel Castle and Cathedral, located on a hill at a bend in the Vistula River. The castle dates back to the 14th century. Fortunately for Krakow, the Soviets had more important targets (like Warsaw and Breslau/Wroclaw) when they invaded in 1945 . Krakow's magnificent buildings were spared.
We could see many of those buildings from the cathedral spire.
We could see many of those buildings from the cathedral spire.
A view of the cathedral and its chapter houses. Construction began in 1000. For the next 500 years or so, Poland's kings kept adding to it--thus the various architectural styles.
A view of the cathedral and its chapter houses. Construction began in 1000. For the next 500 years or so, Poland's kings kept adding to it--thus the various architectural styles.
On to Kazimierz, one of Krakow's Jewish neighborhoods! Since the 12th century, Krakow has been home to a Jewish population that reached its peak of about 64,000 before the Germans invaded Poland in 1939. Today this number stands at about 25,000, not counting many who are unaware of their Jewish heritage. Most are not practicing Jews. This Reform temple, built in 1862, is one of seven synagogues still standing in Kazimierz.
On to Kazimierz, one of Krakow's Jewish neighborhoods! Since the 12th century, Krakow has been home to a Jewish population that reached its peak of about 64,000 before the Germans invaded Poland in 1939. Today this number stands at about 25,000, not counting many who are unaware of their Jewish heritage. Most are not practicing Jews. This Reform temple, built in 1862, is one of seven synagogues still standing in Kazimierz.
From Kazimierz, we proceeded across the Vistula to the location of the Jewish ghetto, established in 1941 to house the 16,000 Jews who had not yet left the city. Many of them crossed this bridge in March of that year, bringing a few possessions from their homes and setting up residence in crowded apartments where food was scarce and escape was nearly impossible.
From Kazimierz, we proceeded across the Vistula to the location of the Jewish ghetto, established in 1941 to house the 16,000 Jews who had not yet left the city. Many of them crossed this bridge in March of that year, bringing a few possessions from their homes and setting up residence in crowded apartments where food was scarce and escape was nearly impossible.
Here by the main square, we learned of the horrors of ghetto life and the deportations that emptied the district in late 1942 and early 1943. Most residents were murdered. Some were transferred to concentration camps, where a few survived until liberation.
Here by the main square, we learned of the horrors of ghetto life and the deportations that emptied the district in late 1942 and early 1943. Most residents were murdered. Some were transferred to concentration camps, where a few survived until liberation.
A portion of the ghetto wall still survives. From the inside, it seemed to the residents that they were surrounded by gravestones even before their unavoidable deaths.
A portion of the ghetto wall still survives. From the inside, it seemed to the residents that they were surrounded by gravestones even before their unavoidable deaths.
From the ghetto, we followed the route to the Schindler factory. Once more, we travelled in the footsteps of Jews--this time, laborers who made the daily trek to and from the ghetto. We are posing in front of a plaque placed on the building by Albion College students who had visited the abandoned factory more than 20 years ago.
From the ghetto, we followed the route to the Schindler factory. Once more, we travelled in the footsteps of Jews--this time, laborers who made the daily trek to and from the ghetto. We are posing in front of a plaque placed on the building by Albion College students who had visited the abandoned factory more than 20 years ago.
The plaque is inscribed with a saying of ancient rabbis. It refers to the story of Cain, the oldest son of Adam and Eve, who (according to Genesis 3:8) murdered his brother Abel--thereby killing not only Abel but also all of his potential descendants. The former Nazi Oskar Schindler, on the other hand, saved 1,200 of his Jewish workers along with their descendants yet unborn.
The plaque is inscribed with a saying of ancient rabbis. It refers to the story of Cain, the oldest son of Adam and Eve, who (according to Genesis 3:8) murdered his brother Abel--thereby killing not only Abel but also all of his potential descendants. The former Nazi Oskar Schindler, on the other hand, saved 1,200 of his Jewish workers along with their descendants yet unborn.
We ended our tour at Plaszow, a 2,000-acre concentration camp built on the properties of two Jewish cemeteries. Plaszow housed up to 20,000+ workers. About 5,000 were killed (mostly shot) there; others were killed after being transferred elsewhere. The bodies of ghetto residents shot in the liquidation were buried at Plaszow. The site is now being developed into an outdoor memorial museum with plaques to designate areas of interest.
We ended our tour at Plaszow, a 2,000-acre concentration camp built on the properties of two Jewish cemeteries. Plaszow housed up to 20,000+ workers. About 5,000 were killed (mostly shot) there; others were killed after being transferred elsewhere. The bodies of ghetto residents shot in the liquidation were buried at Plaszow. The site is now being developed into an outdoor memorial museum with plaques to designate areas of interest.
May 17
Auschwitz I
Hope: "We [approached the camp] through a tunnel with high gray concrete walls and it felt like I was being led straight to my death."
Macy: "In order to 'process' the Holocaust, you have to 'see it' with your own eyes. I remember seeing pictures, watching films, but when I actually stepped foot in there, it all felt real."
Emily: "Every time the tour guide said 'murdered,' it cut my soul like a knife. It seemed like in the silence carried in the wind, I could hear the screams and crying of those that suffered there through the years."
Gwendolyn: "[The one remaining gas chamber] was such an ordinary building, a gray box, really.... The second you step into that gray box you feel the weight of the atrocities committeed and deaths that occurred there."
Auschwitz II - Birkenau
Daisy: "To even imagine so many people being held/killed there was mind-blowing."
Nicole: "Our guide told us that, during the winter months, SS would use victims' ashes to salt the roads. Even after death these individuals were still being mistreated and disrespected as if they were less than human."
Ella: "Frank recited Kaddish and a prayer along with some writings of his father [who survived imprisonment in Auschwitz II - Birkenau]. We all felt the energy around us as he spoke."
Sheridan: "I couldn't imagine the survivors' guilt. What was that like? How did it feel? How do you carry on?"
Connor: "We leave, and I'm struck with guilt. I get to leave, but these souls never will."
Abby D.: "I hated Auschwitz. I will never be going back. Not because it was hard and I hated that it was hard--I'm so glad I went--but because I saw it once, and I don't have any reason to go again."
Abby H.: "On the way back from Auschwitz I realized the most powerful message that I got out of this trip: We have only one life."
Jordan: "I gained a larger understanding of my role...and how I could possibly teach the future generations about how to prevent such a human disaster."
Kam: "Germans were coerced, manipulated, and taught the Nazi ways.... I want to make a difference and teach people of the dangers we face by continuing to go down the path of hatred for others."
Abby D.: "Reflecting on the work that we've done, I can confidently say that our presence has been felt in the paths that we’ve opened and the people whose names we’ve uncovered. I’ve learned so much here, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of this team! "
Page updated
Report abuse