Tiyul Team '24
Welcome to our Tiyul blog as we embark on an unforgettable journey through Europe! Today marks our very first day, brimming with excitement, anticipation, and battling jet-lag. After landing in Vienna, we met our Israeli tour guides, Alon and Sagi, and boarded the bus- our home for the next 10 days. Our bus whisked us through the bustling streets, where we took in the sights, street art, and architecture of the city. Some of the main attractions that we saw first included Schtad Park, the Habsburg Winter Palace (complete with 2600 rooms!), the Vienna Opera House, Palais Epstein and the House of Parliament. We paused for a picture in front of the Mozart memorial, and lunched at the bustling Naschmarkt, where we indulged in sampling different, local cuisines.
We then settled into our digs and freshened up a bit before heading into the historic Jewish neighborhood of Leopoldtsadt. Here, amidst its cobblestone streets and historic buildings, we delved into Vienna's Jewish heritage. Outside of the Temple Shul Memorial, we learned more about how Jewish heritage is deeply rooted in Vienna's history and culture. At its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Vienna was home to one of the largest and most vibrant Jewish communities in Europe, with thriving synagogues and schools. The city was home to renowned Jewish figures such as Herzl (who we will study more tomorrow) and Sigmund Freud (we saw his favorite hangout- Cafe Landman on our bus tour!) However, the rise of anti-Semitism and the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938 led to the persecution and murder of tens of thousands of Jews in Vienna during the Holocaust. After World War II, many Holocaust survivors resettled in the city and again today, Vienna is home to a diverse and vibrant Jewish community, with synagogues, cultural centers, and schools. We are excited to learn even more tomorrow!
As the sun began to set, we headed to Prater, an old-world amusement park in the heart of Vienna. Though there were so many rides everyone wanted to explore, our whole grade rode the iconic 125 year-old Riesenrad giant Ferris wheel. This ride offered us incredible views of the city at night time. We wouldn't be surprised if you could hear our voices and laughter from 65 m in the air!
Stay tuned for more updates from our adventures. Tomorrow, you can expect more student voices going forward. We have a packed day, which is great because we will have (hopefully) beaten the jet-lag. Love to you all at home!