And so it begins...

So this it it. The first departure of our journey. I am eager and excited to to depart for Poland. A lot of people are quite curious to understand why we are going to Poland. Paris, Berlin, Madrid? Those are all normal destinations. Zamosc, Krakow, Lodz? We seem a tad meshuggenah. However, for me, this makes perfect sense. I spent the last four years studying Jewish-Polish culture and ethnic identity. After pouring myself over hundreds of literary and histocical sources I am quite curious to see what the reality of this world is. It is one that has existed for so long and vividly in my imagination. It is now time to transform the perceptions of my imagination into actual perception. This trip originated as a random but fortunate daydream. I was sitting in my modern Jewish Writers class, listening to Dr. Frieden discuss his visits to the old Pale of Settlement. Out of nowhere a burning desire to visit these places consumed me. I thought, "The only way to forge a true connection with the literary and cultural heroes of Judaism is to actually go forth and see what is left of their world". And so with a simple phone call to my every supportive, constantly doting, but sometimes spastic mother, we began to discuss a trip to Poland. So after surprisingly finding lots of support, the proposed trip became a reality. This trip could have not have occurred without the love and contributions of my grandmother, Marsha and is done in the memory of my late Grandfather Michael. Her constant tenacity and tenderness has taught me so much about being a loving and strong individual. From them I first began to understand my Jewish ethnic consciousness.
I have outlined three purposes for this trip. Our primary motivation is to actually witness and comprehend the vibrant world that existed from 1000-1939. Much of Jewish identity, culture, and history was forged in Poland. In lieu of the macabre period of 1939-1945, most of f this period as been relegated as futile cultural failure. I disagree. The purpose of this trip is not to reaffirm the strength and necessity of Israel. Instead it is to reconnect with the land and soil that forged our religious-national consciousness. My mom and I are more than travelers. We are archeologists, prodding at the current fabric of Poland for glimpses of its Jewish past. Poland itself is a society that structurally has changed very little since the 19th century. Outside of the major cities much of the urban landscape is built out of the same farm houses that peppered the world of Peretz and Besheivis.
Our second hope is to revel in the cultural landmarks of modern Poland. I.L Peretz is one of my favorite writers. His works are draped in a sense of both Jewish and secular Polish consciousness. By visiting his home and place of birth, I hope for the chance to connect with his works. Comprehension stems from perception and perception stems from actually seeing. Zamosc in particular is a city that I harbor curiosities towards. At one time it was known as the Paris of Eastern Europe. The splendor still exists today, but to what degree I do not yet know.
Finally, we will visit the centers of destruction that facilitated the final solution. We will be paying solemn tribute to the victims of Majadnek, Auschwitz, and Sobibor. This will serve as a chance to reflect on who we are and how fortunate we are for the the free and democratic society which we live in.

This is it for now. We have a half our until we board for Chicago. The windy city awaits. I got my Ipod all set on Buddy Guy. Mom is knitting furiously.