- Welcome
- About Us
- Poland in Serious Need
It is estimated there are between five-hundred-thousand to one-and-a-half million survivors of the Holocaust still alive today. Each month about one percent of these people pass on. Too often, their last years have been spent in nearly the same conditions in which they survived in the camps. These who suffered so much, continue to suffer---don''t they deserve better? We can help ease their last years. We can do something to care for their daily needs, and that we are supporting them in tangible ways.
Currently, a fleet of trucks and vans take food, clothing, and other supplies around the area of Poland, Ukraine, Russia, and other countries of the former Soviet Union. There, local distribution centers give out much needed food, clothing, and medicine.
Chevra means friendship. Our goal is to help our people in their time of need.
As people in the west began to hear of our work, they began to help by sending food, clothing and medicine. Most of this help came from people in England, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland. As quickly as aid came in, the amount of people that approached us for help also increased.
Eventually, people in the United States and Canada began to send help, and others became part of the group of workers. We are actively involved in many countries, and go by different names in each country, as laws regarding humanitarian organizations vary from country to country.
Chevra is the American entity for our international effort. Some countries are "giving countries" while others are "receiving countries." We have been so blessed and are so rich in North America and we have the ability to do much to alleviate the suffering and needs of others.
We have been working with a group of Polish Jewish Veterans who were partisans during the war, fighting the Nazis. They made us aware of fifteen holocaust survivors in Poland who are in dire conditions and need us to supplement their income by $300 each. It would come to a total of $4,500 a month, funds we don''t have. We are making a special appeal for people to help these elderly survivors of the holocaust in Poland. If you can help with a one-time gift, or monthly, large or small, it would go a long way in helping these needy Jewish survivors, and we would be grateful. We are limited in what we can do, but we want to do everything we can.
(December 2011)
Experience a unique opportunity to explore Jewish heritage in Eastern Europe with Rabbi, Dr. Michael Schiffman!
Prague Krakow Warsaw
July 4-14, 2012
Tour such significant sites as: the Jewish Quarter of Prague, Kazimierz in Krakow and the old Jewish areas of Warsaw.
Visit Holocaust sites: Terezin and Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Meet and work with the people that are involved with Chevra. Enjoy the privilege of meeting and helping Holocaust survivors.
All for only $1299
For information, contact Dr. Schiffman: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Day One/July 4: Leave USA for Prague
Day Two/July 5: Arrive Prague. You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel to settle in. Afternoon is at leisure. Welcome meeting in the evening to meet the rest of the group.
Day Three/July 6: This morning we will go on a guided tour of Prague Jewish Town called Josefov (Joseph''s Town). Our tour starts with a walk through Old Town. At the birth house of Franz Kafka we will enter the original Jewish quarter. Our guide will inform you about the history of original Jewish ghetto and of the oldest synagogue in Middle Europe, Old-New Synagogue. You will walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery and also visit several synagogues that are part of the unique Prague Jewish Museum complex. This afternoon you are free to explore Prague on your own or join one of several optional tours to see this beautiful city.
Day Four/July 7: Today we will travel to Terezin. Formal military fort Terezín was built in the 18th century by emperor Joseph II and is inherently connected with the history of World War II. Better known as Big Fort, the town of Terezín itself was used as transit camp of Jews and in the same time during visit of International Red Cross Organization it was misused for Nazi promotion purposes.
Day Five/July 8: Today a coach bus will pick us up from our hotel to take us to our next destination, Krakow. We will travel in a private bus with several stops for breaks.
Day Six/July 9: This morning we will visit the historical center for Poland''s Jews on a tour of Kazimierz,the district where "Schindler''s List" was filmed. Kazimierz became the flourishing center of Jewish religion and culture as well as a safe haven for diverse groups of Jewish refugees from all over Europe. The tour aims to retrace this diversity that resulted in the construction of numerous synagogues and a very unique atmosphere which is still present there. The tour ends with a visit to the monument commemorating the victims of the former Nazi concentration camp in Plaszow.
This afternoon you are free to explore Krakow on your own or join one of several optional tours to see this beautiful city.
Day Seven/July 10: Today we will travel to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Auschwitz was the biggest Nazi concentration and death camp in occupied Europe. Situated at a distance of 70 km from Krakow in the town of Oswiecim. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum is included in the UNESCO''s World Heritage List. During the tour you will visit both parts of the Museum located in Oswiecim and Brzezinka. You will also watch a documentary on the history of the Auschwitz concentration and death camp.
Day Eight/July 11: Today we will tour Oscar Schindler''s Factory and have the opportunity to meet with friends of Dr. Schiffman and learn of their experiences.
Day Nine/July 12: Today we will travel by coach to Warsaw. This afternoon you are free to explore the city on your own
Day Ten/July 13: Today we will be privileged to meet with Holocaust survivors and learn of their experiences as well as touring the old Jewish area of Warsaw.
Day Eleven/July 14: Depart for the USA
*Hotel, airport transfers, transportation from Prague to Krakow and Krakow to Prague and 5 tours all for $1299*
*Deposit of $500 due by February 1. The remainder is due by March 15.
*Price does not include food, flights and any optional tours.
