Our trip was, in part, a pilgrimage to let our fellow Jews – living and dead – know that we have not forgotten. Our trip was a deeply profound reminder for us of God’s desire for our survival and God’s power that enables us to continue being who we are. – Rabbi Arnold S. Task
It was more than a tour; it was a journey – an extraordinarily interesting, memorable, and at times emotional journey through cities and towns with Jewish heritage…but it wasn’t a holocaust tour, thanks to lectures and discussions from Professor Meir, who offered us his deep knowledge about the locales of Jewish sites and history in Poland. We learned about the richness and diversity of Jewish life before the dreadful events during WWII, and saw the signs of revival of Jewish life in a few places (Krakow in particular and Warsaw also) and the growing interest by non-Jews in Jewish history. During the trip, Prof. Meir was inspiring, frequently providing insights given the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the religious and political history and the sociology of the Jewish life in the area, and his language skills (Hebrew, Yiddish, German, Russian…). We were fortunate to hear the awesome lectures he delivered, always with great patience and clarity – this gave us a background for what we were about to see that day or the next. – Art L.
We have traveled extensively, but there has never been anything like this experience. It compares to nothing else in our lives. It was a trip that stands alone as the most meaningful of our existence on this planet. As for Dr. Berk, there is no one like him. He is magnificent. – Paul L. Cohen
The trip was outstanding, exceeding our expectations. We learned a great deal about past Jewish presence and current activity in Poland, as well as experiencing the Holocaust sites. Professor Natan Meir is a gem – he is interesting, knowledgeable, flexible, a great teacher, and a nice person. – Carol H.
Steve is such a brilliant lecturer. His detailed, emotion-laden stories made the experience a once-in-a-lifetime one. In addition, our tour escort was outstanding, and attended to every detail. I would recommend this trip to anyone. Thanks for your help with everything. Now, where to next?! – Jerry G
Our scholar Natan Meir was terrific- clear, interesting and knowledgeable. – Joe Gilbert
…Professor Natan Meir was wonderful – I hope you will have other tours featuring him as the lecturer, we would love to travel with him again (perhaps Ukraine and the Baltics?). Thanks for arranging this trip, it was inspiring and educational. – Sandy Glatter
Worldwide Traveling University
Ayelet’s Worldwide Traveling University is the premier Jewish Scholar travel program. Featuring tours to Jewish Heritage destinations worldwide, our Traveling University offers participants the chance to not just explore, but also enrich – through insightful scholarly presentations, as well as interactions with the local Jewish communities. For decades, we have connected discerning travelers with outstanding scholars, resulting in travel experiences that simply cannot be matched. “Enroll” in your Journey below!
MOROCCO: A Musical Jewish Heritage Tour
Led by Prof. Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz
October 23 – November 3, 2022
with Tangiers/Gibraltar extension
CUBA
Led by Prof. Stephen Berk
December 4-11, 2022
*Booked in partnership with Cuba Travel Services
Havana, Cienfuegos
JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR TO EASTERN EUROPE
Led by Prof. Stephen Berk
June 2023
Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Budapest
CA ITALY – JEWISH MUSICAL JOURNEY
Accompanied by Prof. Stephen Berk
Postponed – final dates TBD
Italy
About our Scholars-in-Residence…
Dr. Stephen Berk
Prof. Natan Meir
From his groundbreaking research on the Jews of Russia and Ukraine to his work as a consultant for Moscow’s Jewish Museum, Professor Natan Meir, Lorry I. Lokey Professor of Judaic Studies at Portland State University in Oregon, has earned an international reputation as a scholar of Jewish social, cultural, and religious history. His latest book, Stepchildren of the Shtetl, recovers the histories of Jewish Eastern Europe’s social outcasts: the disabled, the mentally ill, orphans, and beggars. His previous book, Kiev, Jewish Metropolis, explored Jewish life and culture in a Ukrainian city under Russian imperial rule. Students praise his classroom as an inspiring intellectual space. An avid trailrunner, he speaks eight languages and is now working on his ninth.
Prof. Jeremy Leigh
Prof. Yale Strom
Rabbi Haim Beliak
Prof. Richard Hecht
Dr. Dominika Zakrzewska
Our trip was, in part, a pilgrimage to let our fellow Jews – living and dead – know that we have not forgotten. Our trip was a deeply profound reminder for us of God’s desire for our survival and God’s power that enables us to continue being who we are. – Rabbi Arnold S. Task
It was more than a tour; it was a journey – an extraordinarily interesting, memorable, and at times emotional journey through cities and towns with Jewish heritage…but it wasn’t a holocaust tour, thanks to lectures and discussions from Professor Meir, who offered us his deep knowledge about the locales of Jewish sites and history in Poland. We learned about the richness and diversity of Jewish life before the dreadful events during WWII, and saw the signs of revival of Jewish life in a few places (Krakow in particular and Warsaw also) and the growing interest by non-Jews in Jewish history. During the trip, Prof. Meir was inspiring, frequently providing insights given the breadth and depth of his knowledge of the religious and political history and the sociology of the Jewish life in the area, and his language skills (Hebrew, Yiddish, German, Russian…). We were fortunate to hear the awesome lectures he delivered, always with great patience and clarity – this gave us a background for what we were about to see that day or the next. – Art L.
We have traveled extensively, but there has never been anything like this experience. It compares to nothing else in our lives. It was a trip that stands alone as the most meaningful of our existence on this planet. As for Dr. Berk, there is no one like him. He is magnificent. – Paul L. Cohen
The trip was outstanding, exceeding our expectations. We learned a great deal about past Jewish presence and current activity in Poland, as well as experiencing the Holocaust sites. Professor Natan Meir is a gem – he is interesting, knowledgeable, flexible, a great teacher, and a nice person. – Carol H.
Steve is such a brilliant lecturer. His detailed, emotion-laden stories made the experience a once-in-a-lifetime one. In addition, our tour escort was outstanding, and attended to every detail. I would recommend this trip to anyone. Thanks for your help with everything. Now, where to next?! – Jerry G
Our scholar Natan Meir was terrific- clear, interesting and knowledgeable. – Joe Gilbert
…Professor Natan Meir was wonderful – I hope you will have other tours featuring him as the lecturer, we would love to travel with him again (perhaps Ukraine and the Baltics?). Thanks for arranging this trip, it was inspiring and educational. – Sandy Glatter