Poland: Lauder e-Learning Hosts Warm, Student Family Shabbaton

Lauder e-Learning School of Poland invited students and families to a warm Shabbaton weekend in Wrocław, Poland.

The e-Learning program’s directors, Baruch and Dorota Ciesielscy, hosted a weekend-long trip for e-Learning participants. Highlights included prayer at a large historic synagogue, a Kosher local cafe, hotel accommodations and a tour of the city.

The local Jewish community of Wrocław joined the group, as Shabbat dinner included 130 guests, the Community’s board, as well as guests who came from abroad to celebrate the 50th anniversary of March 1968 events in Poland. Attendees were visibly touched by the sight of Jewish children running around the synagogue. Rabbi Basok, Rabbetzin Basok, and Joanna Czopnik – the e-Learning Jewish studies teacher – presented Divrei Torah speeches, and children sang, learned and played.

After Friday night dinner, children attended a juggling workshop, while adults met at the Jewish community’s cafe to discuss the Lauder e-Learning School of Poland and its plans for the future. Rabbi Basok gave a great lecture on searching for methods to reach every child. During the Shabbat day, the group prayed with a Minyan at the synagogue – thanks to the parents and students from the Lauder e-Learning School, and then went on a guided tour around the Synagogue and the Old Town of Wrocław.

Saturday evening, after Havdalah, the group met in the charming synagogue for the Great Gala. Teachers presented e-Learning students with awards, Shabbaton sweatshirts and small gifts. The Lauder e-Learning school of Poland happily welcomed five new students, scheduled to begin classes right after Pesach. Later in the evening, a famous singer and actress, Bente Kahan, organized a beautiful concert, Bente Home. Other events included student-organized, charity box fundraising for global humanitarian causes. Sunday morning,  the e-Learning group toured Poland’s largest zoo and its newest addition to the gardens – the Afrykarium.

The Lauder e-Learning school thanks the wonderful children, parents, and teachers for a truly wonderful weekend, and looks forward to future studies and events together!