There are some journeys that stay with you long after the suitcases are unpacked, and Temple Judea’s recent congregational trip through Germany and the Czech Republic was undoubtedly one of them. Over nine unforgettable days, travelers moved through cities layered with resilience and renewal; experiencing the story of Jewish roots and rebirth in Europe together as a community. Guided by Rabbi Joshua Aaronson, the group shared moments that transformed the trip into something far deeper than sightseeing.

From the very first evening in Frankfurt, the tone of the journey was set: thoughtful, immersive, and full of connection. Walking through the city’s historic squares and along the streets marked by Stolpersteine, the small brass “stumbling stones” memorializing Holocaust victims, participants encountered history not as something distant, but as something woven into everyday life. Yet alongside the solemn moments came inspiring encounters with contemporary Jewish life, reminding travelers that Jewish life in Europe is not only remembered, but actively thriving.

As the group continued through Mainz, Worms, and Speyer, the ShUM communities often considered the cradle of Ashkenazi Judaism, the experience became one of standing quite literally in the footsteps of Jewish history. Ancient cemeteries, medieval synagogues, and centuries-old mikvahs offered reminders of the endurance of Jewish tradition. In Nuremberg and later Terezin, the journey shifted into more difficult territory, confronting Nazi propaganda and persecution with honesty and reverence.

And yet, amid the weight of history, there was also joy. In Pilsen, the group wandered charming cobblestone streets and visited the famed Pilsner Urquell Brewery before arriving in Prague, a city whose ancient beauty has persevered throughout the centuries. Shabbat at the Spanish Portuguese Synagogue of Prague became a highlight of the trip when our very own Rabbi Aaronson was invited to give an impromptu dvar Torah, bringing a sense of worldwide community to our sacred traditions.

This was a journey about memory, but also about continuity; about honoring the past while recognizing the present and future still being written today. Most of all, it was a reminder that traveling together as a synagogue community creates bonds unlike any other, ones that are strengthened through shared discovery, emotion, and the understanding that our Jewish story continues wherever we are in the world. The trip truly became full circle when upon returning home one of our travelers spoke with one of our TJ members who shared her story of traveling to Prague this past September with her family, to attend the placing of her grandfather's Stolpersteine. Our travelers realized they may have walked right by it, bearing witness to our community's shared history on the other side of the world.

If you would like to participate in a future Temple Judea trip, you’re in luck! Rabbi Aaronson just announced the next TJ Tour, arriving in Spain in March 2027! Click here to learn more. These trips are a wonderful reminder that your Temple Judea community is always here for you, whether abroad or right here at home.