Saturday and Sunday Writer: Maddy

Saturday Shabbat was a time for more education, of course, and some time to schmooze. We learned about the last piece of the Warsaw ghetto still standing on Zlota Street. The area had very wealthy Jews housed there. It was the equivalent of New York's brownstones. NOW IT IS REFERRED TO AS THE CONDEMNED STREET AND NO ONE LIVES THERE ANYMORE. 

I couldn't believe the amount of antisemitism that reigns in Poland where Poland has the biggest evidence of how antisemitism is the wrong way to approach thinking about a person: those several death and labor camps that surround Aushwitz. A church near this place sold anti-Semitic books while one of their prior priests risked his lives while saving Jews. It may have not seemed stifling to others, but it is a good example of the strong antisemitism that remains in the city. Maybe this is due to how the Jews are not present in Polish life any more. Maybe the people living in Poland don't want to be reminded of the pain. I am so glad that you, parents, sent us on this trip so that we will never be able to forget. 

After more touring of Warsaw, we had some time to look at the Polish market where they sell nothing that is unique to Poland. We all split up into groups. And I was split up with Dani Oquendo and Stash! He was so nice and bought us dessert (was like beignets from New Orleans) for any of the grade! Stash, Dani and Josh Kalish ate a lot of them. I have found out that Dani has a tolerant stomach while having Polish doughnuts and lots and lots of Coca Cola. Today is Sunday when I am writing and we are in the Amsterdam airport with a really long layover. We are about to go to Israel. Everyone is spending your money well for dinner. Airplane dinners are not really the best options. 

Talk to you tomorrow,

Midaberet liatem mahar,

O.k. WAIT! This is really funny. We have to sleep in the airport. Ask your children the rest. I do this not to annoy you but because this is one thing that they will willingly tell you about.