Travel

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Travel resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Reflections from Berlin

Rabbi Jay Kelman

On May 12, 2015 Reuven Rivlin, President of the State of Israel, addressed the German parliament--fifty years to the day of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Fifty years earlier, President Rivlin had…
Article
Jul 17, 2016

Thoughts from Poland: Part 5

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The Ramah, Rav Moshe Isserles, is probably the most famous and important figure to have lived in Krakow. Born in 1530 to a wealthy family, the name Isserles is a reference to his father, Isser or Yisrael. (As Shaul Stampfer and others have aptly…
Article
Jul 14, 2015

Thoughts from Poland: Shabbat in Krakow

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Shabbat in Krakow. A city of glory, like almost no other in Jewish history. The Jewish quarter dates from the 16th century and is actually known as Kazimierz. Today, it is part of Krakow, but originally was an island just next to Krakow where…
Article
Jul 13, 2015

Poland Thoughts: Part Three

Rabbi Jay Kelman

For Jews, Poland was as close to Gan Eden in exile as one could get. It was referred to by Jews as Po lin, "here we rest" in tranquility waiting for the arrival of Mashiach. It was also known as Po lan yah, "here G-d…
Article
Jul 12, 2015

Poland Thoughts: Part Two

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Travelling in Poland is emotionally moving and exhilarating at the same time. In the morning after minyan, Rabbi Michael Shudrich, the chief rabbi of Poland, spoke to our group. He immediately began by addressing the question of why Jews live in…
Article
Jul 9, 2015

Some Thoughts from Poland

Rabbi Jay Kelman

  "Eino domeh shmiah l'rei'ah, one cannot compare hearing to seeing". I write these words at the end of our first day of the TiM trip to Poland. Seeing what I have spent a lifetime learning about offers a new and…
Article
Jul 8, 2015

Some Impressions of South African Jewry

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Having just returned from the Torah in Motion African Safari, I would like to share some impressions of the Jewish community in South Africa. While it is lacking in scientific rigour, and although I am a typical victim of  "visitor's…
Article
Aug 9, 2013

Massei: Journeys

Rabbi Jay Kelman

“And these are the journeys of the people of Israel” (33:1). The Torah lists over 40 stops along the long and winding route the Jewish people took on their journey to the land of Israel. Many of these names have never appeared…
Article
Jul 30, 2011