Budapest and Prague
The Art and Culture
of Jewish Heritage
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Th e J ew ish M us eu m 1109 F ifth A ve nu e N ew Y ork, N Y 10128 Un de r t he a us pic es o f Th e J ew ish Th eo lo gi ca l Sem in ar y Th eJ ew ishM us eu m .o rg tr av els@t he jm .o rg 212.423.3200September 11 – 19, 2016
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Sweeping Danube River and castle views. Historic synagogues
and stirring memorial sites. Precious artifacts and treasured
works of art. Under the guidance of Charlotta Kotik, Czech-born
scholar, you will experience all of these on our exclusive, nine-day
exploration of the vivacious, modern cities of Budapest, Hungary,
and Prague, Czech Republic. Immerse yourself in centuries of
Jewish history, culture, architecture, art, music, literature and
journalism, all woven together into a fascinating tapestry of
enduring beauty and significance.
We begin our tour in historic Budapest, located in central
Hungary, where the Jewish community gained prominence
during the late 14th century. Tour the Buda Castle, famous for its
grandiose Medieval and Baroque architectural influences, and view
the stunning Moorish-style Great Synagogue on Dohany Street.
Later head to the “yellow-star houses” of World War II, a poignant
testament to the Jewish families of Budapest who in June 1944
were forced out of their homes in preparation for deportation.
Take in the eclectic and distinctive architecture, the enchanting
Danube River, and a performance at the Hungarian State Opera
House, a breathtaking neo-Renaissance structure dating from
the late 19th century. Through interactive tours and guided
personal experiences, witness the cultural and historical wealth
of Budapest as it is today.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Then, move on to Prague, a city with a range of beautiful historic
synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. A testament to the
thriving Jewish communities of Bohemia, Prague is the resting
place of the Talmudic scholar and mathematician Rabbi Judah
Loew ben Bezalel, who died in 1609. Learn about the lasting
influence of the German-Jewish writer Franz Kafka — one of
the most influential writers of the 20th century — and witness
the exciting art and architecture of contemporary Prague.
Additionally, travelers can visit Terezin, a fortress that was used
as a concentration camp during World War II and that today
comprises a profound physical reminder of the tragedies of the
Holocaust. The program concludes with an exclusive tour of the
Lobkowicz collection, a welcome by Prince William Lobkowicz,
one of the surviving members of the Lobkowicz family, followed
by a private dinner in one of the elegant palace rooms.
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to experience the vibrant
culture and rich Jewish history that make Budapest and Prague
among the most popular destinations for Central European travel.
D A I LY I T I N E R A R Y
Sunday, September 11 U.S. – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Depart the U.S. on an international flight to Budapest. Arrive the following day.
Monday, September 12 BUDAPEST
Upon arrival in Budapest, transfer to your hotel, the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus. After some rest, meet the group for a welcome reception and dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Budapest
(reception and dinner included)
Tuesday, September 13 BUDAPEST
Begin the morning with a walking tour through the Jewish Quarter, including a visit to the Great Synagogue (which is the largest synagogue in Europe), the
Heroes’ Temple, and the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park, commemorating the Swedish diplomat who was designated one of the Righteous Among the Nations for his efforts to save thousands of Jewish detainees in Hungary during the Holocaust. On the walking tour, learn about the “yellow-star houses,” the 1,944 designated apartment buildings where more than 200,000 Jews lived after being forced out of their homes. Visit some of the remaining 1,600 yellow-star houses, and hear the unforgettable stories of the families that occupied them.
After lunch, finish your tour at the Holocaust Memorial Tree, a weeping willow sculpture dedicated to the memory of Hungarian Jewish victims who perished during the Holocaust. In the afternoon, meet with Andrea Szőnyi, director of the Zachor Foundation for Social Remembrance, an educational group based in Budapest. Learn about the foundation’s mission to raise awareness of modern anti-Semitism and foster knowledge of Jewish traditions and culture. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Perhaps you might visit one of Budapest’s famous thermal bathhouses or one of the many contemporary art galleries in the city.
Overnight: Budapest
(breakfast and lunch included)
Budapest’s Capital Building Holocaust Memorial Tree Budapest by chad_k [CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons]
Interior of the Great Synagogue, image by Zairon (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
Wednesday, September 14
BUDAPEST
Spend the day learning about the history of Jews in Budapest, beginning with a visit to the Buda Castle. District, guided by a Jewish history expert, learn the history of Jewish communities in Hungary as you tour the castle and its 14th-century chapel, which was unearthed after World War II and meticulously reconstructed during the 1960s.
Continue to the magnificent Hungarian Parliament for a guided tour of the complex and grounds, and finish at the somber Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial consisting of 60 pairs of shoes cast in iron and set on the east bank of the Danube River. The memorial, by sculptor Gyula Pauer, honors Jews who were killed by the fascist Arrow Cross militiamen in Budapest during World War II. Victims were ordered to remove their shoes and were shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies would fall into the river and be carried away. The sculpture represents the scattered, empty shoes left behind on the embankment.
In the evening enjoy a cruise on the Danube followed by a traditional Hungarian dinner at a local restaurant. Later, attend an optional performance at the
Hungarian State Opera House. Overnight: Budapest
(breakfast and dinner included)
Thursday, September 15 BUDAPEST – PRAGUE
Depart Budapest for Prague. En route, stop for lunch in Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, and take a short tour of the area. Visit the Villa of Grete and Fritz Tugendhat, designed by Mies van der Rohe. It is the leading example of modern architecture in the Czech Republic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villa was confiscated by the Gestapo for its headquarters in 1939 after the family had emigrated to escape Nazi persecution. It later housed a dancing school and children’s rehabilitation center before being restored to its original appearance in 2012. Continue on to Prague and check into the luxurious Boscolo Hotel upon arrival. Tonight enjoy a group dinner followed by an optional musical performance at the Municipal House.
Overnight: Prague
(breakfast, lunch and dinner)
D A I LY I T I N E R A R Y
The Villa of Grete and Fritz Tugendhat, by Daniel Fišer [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0]
Buda Castle, image by Alex Proimos [CC BY 2.0 (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Friday, September 16 PRAGUE
Meet with the deputy director of Prague’s Jewish Museum, Michal Frankl. Enjoy a lecture on Jewish history in Bohemia, followed by a question-and-answer session. Continue to the Jewish Museum, which comprises six synagogues including the Maisel Synagogue constructed in 1598. The museum’s collection consists of Hebrew manuscripts from the Middle Ages, a renowned collection of silver liturgical objects, books, and Torah covers. On the museum tour, you will also visit the Pinkas Synagogue, a 16th-century place of prayer restored as a memorial to Bohemian and Moravian victims who died in the Holocaust. At the Old-New Synagogue, see Europe’s oldest Jewish house of worship, where prayers have been offered continuously for more than 700 years.
Following lunch, visit the Jubilee Synagogue, known for its uniquely designed façade blending Moorish Revival and Art Nouveau architecture. Continue to the Old Jewish Cemetery, where tombstones mark the lives of celebrated rabbis, scientists, and scholars stretching back to 1439. See the tomb of Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel — creator of the golem — and learn about the legend that weaves together the places you visited. Tonight enjoy Shabbat dinner with members of the Prague Jewish community.
Overnight: Prague
(breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Saturday, September 17 PRAGUE
This morning is free to relax, attend services, or explore Prague on your own.
An optional activity in the afternoon offers a meeting with a local literature scholar for a lecture on Franz Kafka. Hear about his life as a German-Jewish writer in Prague and the importance of his work in modernity. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Kafka Museum to view first editions of Kafka’s works, artifacts of his life, and ephemera including diaries, manuscripts, and drawings. Afterward, embark on a walking tour to experience Kafka’s Prague, ending in the New Jewish Cemetery, where Kafka is buried. Later, attend a contemporary art exhibit at a local gallery or museum. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.
An optional morning activity to explore contemporary
art with a guided tour of the DOX Center for
Contemporary Art, a place where the unpredictability of art is celebrated. Opened in 2008, the museum presents Czech art in an international framework through exhibits displaying sculpture, photography, painting, film, and multimedia installations.
Overnight: Prague
(breakfast)
Rooftop View of Prague
The Maisel Synagogue by Jewish Museum in Prague, available from http://www.jewishmuseum.cz/pro-media/fotografie-a-film/ fotografie-ke-stazeni/ [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Sunday, September 18 PRAGUE
Optional morning excursion: Visit Terezin for a guided tour of this tragic symbol of Nazi persecution, which was constructed in the 18th century as a fortress and prison. In November 1941 it was converted into the Thereseinstadt ghetto and camp, where more than 140,000 men, women, and children waited to be transported to the extermination camps of
Auschwitz-Birkenau. View a documentary film about the camp and visit the Ghetto Museum and Small Fortress before returning to Prague.
Enjoy some time at leisure this afternoon. In the afternoon, visit the vast complex of palaces, courtyards, and convents that make up the Prague Castle. On a guided tour, hear about the extensive history of the Castle while viewing the variety of architectural styles represented. Then, visit the Lobkowicz Palace (after it closes to the public) for a private tour of the Princely Art Collection. Learn the history of the Lobkowicz family and their world-famous art collection. The Lobkowicz Palace is the only privately owned building in the Prague Castle complex. The Museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore the history of Europe through the unique perspective of its collections and the Lobkowicz family. Highlights include works by masters including Brueghel the Elder, Canaletto, Cranach, and Velázquez, and manuscripts by Beethoven and Mozart, including Beethoven’s 4th and 5th symphonies and Mozart’s re-orchestration of Handel’s Messiah.
Following the tour, meet Prince William Lobkowicz, one of the surviving members of the Lobkowicz family, for a brief introduction before enjoying a farewell reception and dinner at the Lobkowicz Palace.
Overnight: Prague
(breakfast and dinner)
Monday, September 19 PRAGUE – U.S.
Transfer to the Prague airport for your individual flights back to the U.S.
Palace Lobkowicz wing By V. Groulík.Martinect at cs.wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0]
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is a modern, luxurious hotel, located in the heart of Budapest, just a short walk from the Danube and all of the city’s main attractions. Comprising 249 elegant rooms, Hotel Kempinski offers full air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and around-the-clock service. It is the only hotel in Hungary to be a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World, and it boasts a host of stunning features within the Gastronomic Quarter of Downtown Budapest, including two restaurants, two bars, and an in-house coffee shop. From its stylish furnishings to its five-star service, Hotel Kempinski is a leader of comfort and relaxation.
Boscolo Hotel in Prague
Boscolo Hotel in Prague is a five-star hotel specializing in classic luxury. It is located in Prague’s New Town and within walking distance of the Jubilee Synagogue. The hotel offers comfortable rooms with modern amenities and several in-house dining options. There is a beautiful indoor swimming pool, an extensive spa, and a wellness center.
Charlotta Kotik TRIP SCHOLAR Charlotta Kotik, a native of Prague, first came to
the United States to work at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York. During the course of her career, she has organized over 100 museum exhibitions, presenting the work by artists as divers Mariko Mori, Kerry James Marshall, John Cage, Jenny Holzer, Alyson Saar, Michelle Stuart and Robert Longo. From 1992 through 2007, she was the Curator and Chair of the Contemporary Art Department at the Brooklyn Museum. There, she established one of her major contributions to the curatorial practice — The Grand Lobby Projects — in order to provide exhibition opportunities for installation-based work by artists such as Martin Puryear, Joseph Kosuth, Ida Applebrook, Petah Coyne and many others. In the 1980s, she also initiated the Working in Brooklyn Series to document the energy of the nascent Brooklyn art scene. In l993, as the United States commissioner for Venice Biennale, she presented works by Louise Bourgeois in an exhibition that later traveled internationally. Ms.
Kotik also organized a traveling exhibition of Annie Leibovitz’s photography, an extensive exhibition with more than two hundred Brooklyn-based artists entitled Open House: Working in Brooklyn, and Graffiti — the first museum exhibition of graffiti art. Since 2000, Ms. Kotik has participated in the Jindrich Chalupecky Award, an important recognition for visual artists in the Czech Republic. The Award became a model for art programs in 9 other of the post-Communist countries. Presently, Ms. Kotik works as a writer, lecturer and independent curator and facilitates various projects for galleries, alternative spaces and museums, ranging from NURTUREart or FiveMyles in Brooklyn, the Art OMI residency in Ghent, NY, to institutions in Czech Republic. She teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York City during Spring semester and at the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague during winter semester.
Photo credit to Adam Husted
P R O G R A M D E T A I L S
Participation
Limited to 25 participants, this program is open to members of the Jewish Museum. Non-members are welcome to join the Museum in order to participate. Designed for people of all ages, Travel Programs entail walking moderate distances and may include uneven or slightly hilly terrain and / or stairs. Participants need to be in active, good health, able to keep up with the group, ready to travel as part of a group, and experience cultural differences with grace.
Land Program Cost
Save $150 – Early Booking Discount (Registration and Payment by Monday, March 15, 2015): $ 7,240 (plus $75 Jewish Museum membership fee for non-members); (single supplement $1,400).
Registration and payment after March 15, 2015, land program cost is $7,390.
Based on a minimum enrollment of 15 participants.
Program Cost Includes
• Three overnights at the historic luxurious Kempinski Hotel Corvinus
• Four overnights at the five-star Boscolo Hotel, Prague
• All breakfasts
• One reception included • Three lunches included • Four dinners included
• Private farewell reception and dinner at the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague
• ATA Tour manager throughout the tour
• Guided visits and entrance fees as per the itinerary • Air-conditioned coach for excursions
• Full participation for one Jewish Museum staff member, including domestic flight from NYC • Services of a Jewish history and Central European
cultural expert throughout the tour (TBD) • Quietvox listening devices
• Medevac Insurance
• All gratuities related to group activities • Electronic marketing materials
• Reservation Center booking and pre-trip communications
Not Included in Price
• Airfare from your home to Budapest and from Prague
• Airport transfers and baggage handling for travelers arriving before or after the planned group transfer or departing the trip before or after the planned group transfer
• Travel and trip cancellation insurance
• Passport, visa, airport departure, and excess baggage fees
• Meals not specified in the itinerary; food and beverages not part of the included meals
• Personal items such as telephone, fax, and Internet charges, laundry, room service, alcoholic or other beverages not specified as included
• Gratuities for non-group services
• Expenses resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action, and flight delays
• Expenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip • Anything not explicitly listed as included
A Note about the Itinerary
While every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, the nature of travel is
unpredictable, and we must be prepared for changes. The itinerary as described is subject to modification by Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. (ATA). Rest assured that should any changes be needed we commit to deliver an experience as outstanding as the one originally planned.
Health Recommendations
To enjoy your travels to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition that requires special attention, diet, or treatment must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a participant, should such a person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity, or attitude jeopardize the operation of the travel program or the enjoyment of other participants. All health information is protected and treated as confidential.
To Register
To reserve your place, complete the reservation form and return with a $1,000 deposit. Final payment will be due 90 days prior to departure.
The Jewish Museum Travel Program at Academic Travel Abroad
1155 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036-4355 T: 202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896 F: 202.349.0678
Or via email at travel@academic-travel.com
Changes
All rights are reserved by the Program Directors to make faculty substitutions and / or to modify the itinerary (including hotels) as needed.
Insurance
We strongly urge all participants to take out trip insurance to cover losses necessitated by having to cancel. For your convenience, trip cancellation
insurance information will be sent upon registration, or you may elect to consult your own insurance agent.
Cancellations
All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email or fax) to Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. (ATA). Per-person cancellation fees are based on the date of the cancellation notice reaching ATA. More than 120 days prior to departure: refund of deposit less an administration fee of 50% of deposit. Cancellation between 119 - 91 days before departure: 100% of deposit is forfeited. Cancellation between 90 - 61 days: 50% of the tour price is forfeited. Cancellation within 60 days of departure: no refund. Cancellation on the day of departure or after the tour departs: no refund. No refund for unused portions of tour, including, but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing. Cancellation of program by Jewish Museum Trips and ATA: full refund. Reservations are not transferable without the explicit approval of Jewish Museum Trips and ATA.
Disclaimer of Responsibility
The Jewish Museum’s travel programs are managed by ATA, a professional travel company, hired as an independent contractor. ATA and the Jewish Museum act only as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotels, and all matters of reservations and trip operation. We and our agents accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense, or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor do we accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from sickness, pilferage, acts of terrorism, weather conditions, or acts of God. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the program participant. We reserve the right to cancel any trip prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. We likewise reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any trip participant at any time without being under any obligation to assign any reason therefore. In the event of the exercise of this right, we shall be under no liability to such person(s) except to refund such amount as our absolute discretion deems reasonable to attribute to the uncompleted portion of the trip. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that air, ship, or train tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and carrier concerned. The airlines and all other transportation companies involved in this trip are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their plane or conveyances. All services are subject to the laws of the country in which they are rendered. The participant agrees on behalf of herself/himself, her / his dependents, heirs, executors, or administrators and assigns to abide by the above conditions and to release and hold harmless, the Jewish Museum and ATA, and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any delays, damage, loss, injury, or death occurring in relation to this tour.
P R O G R A M D E T A I L S
CALIFORNIA SELLER OF TRAVEL PROGRAM CST #2059002 - 40
ATA is a participant in the California Seller of Travel program. California law requires that certain sellers of travel have a trust account or bond. ATA has a trust account. ATA is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation.
R E G I S T R AT I O N F O R M Please complete this form and include the deposit. Registrations are accepted by telephone, email, or fax.
Are you a Jewish Museum member? Yes
No, ($75 per person is added to deposit)
Authorize charge for the amount of $
Mail to:
The Jewish Museum at Academic Travel Abroad
1155 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036-4355 T 202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896 F 202.349.0678
Billing information
(if different from Mailing address above.)
Accommodation Preference
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