It was past 11:30 pm. Around me were men wearing black hats, women wearing long skirts, people wearing jeans and tennis shoes, elderly couples, young professionals, a few familiar faces of students my age I had met at a Hillel event. There was a mixture of Polish and English words floating through the air. It was a little chilly, but no one noticed the summer night time breeze. Someone passed around prayer books. Hebrew words filled the pages. We all sat down on what seemed momentarily like a stage—but in reality, it was the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, facing POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
Poland may not be the first place you think to go, but it’s a great spot for education and self reflection.
Traditionally, Tisha B’Av is considered the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, marking the end of a period of time in which Jews reflect on the destruction of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem. I had attended Eichah (the Book of Lamentations) readings for years previously, many a times at my Jewish summer camp sitting on the floor of the camp gym with fake candles, and other times at a synagogue wherever I happened to be.
But that night, I was across the world, congregated with over 30 Polish Jews of all Jewish backgrounds and practices, chanting Eichah in Warsaw, Poland, a place that to many is considered the epitome of tragedy, a place where many once thought all Jewish life had ceased to exist. And yet, there was something so symbolically powerful about sitting on the very grounds where Jews had encountered terror, and defiantly, silently saying “we are still here, we are still being Jewish, and we are being Jewish in the very place where once people wanted to eliminate us.”
It was moments like that which answer the question I was asked quite often: “Of all the places you could go in Europe, why are you doing a summer internship in Poland?” I was looking to experience Jewish life in Europe, and there was no better place to do that than in a country not only rich with history on every corner, once the second largest home of world Jewry, but also, where a revival of Jewish life is strong and vibrant.
Think about what locations will allow you to learn more about your faith.
Why should Jewish students study abroad in off-beat locations?
When you hear the words ‘study abroad’ instantly you think of flashy, western countries. Often, when choosing a place to study or intern abroad, Jewish students target similar, well known cities, such as London, Florence, or Cape Town. They plan to go places where they have heard Jews largely live. There are some places everyone visits and which are marked as tourist spots where English is widely spoken. While those places have benefits of their own, for Jewish students looking to explore the places nobody really talks about, there are still a lot of interesting ways to connect to Judaism. Although it may come in a variety of forms, Jewish life exists all around the world. There are so many off the beaten path locations waiting to be explored, which can provide you with a new perspective on smaller, lesser known Jewish communities.
Instead of having the tourist or visitor experience, by travelling to different locations you will come face to face with local culture more often. Studying abroad in a city not as well travelled will give you a native feel of a place and allow you to really learn what it's like to be a citizen of another country. Further, you will have the chance to create brand new memories that haven’t been established by those before you.
To get you started on your journey, below are some far-flung locations for Jewish students to consider for study abroad:
Jerusalem is a great place for Jewish students to study abroad, but it isn’t the only place you can go.
Far-flung locations for Jewish students to consider for study abroad
1. Warsaw, Poland
The common sentiment that Poland is inseparable from Jewishness and Jewishness is inseparable from Poland will prove true when you wander the streets of Warsaw and find connections to Judaism everywhere. Loaves of Chalka, the Polish name for Challah, the Jewish bread usually eaten on Shabbat, is sold daily at every bakery in Warsaw. Israelis can always be heard speaking Hebrew in the large mall.
The active, local Hillel in Warsaw allows you to easily meet Jewish students your own age to hang out with. After attending a few events at the Hillel, I made friends with people I could visit in other parts of Poland during their summer vacation, and had someone to meet up with for pierogies. Additionally, The Jewish Community of Warsaw maintains two synagogues: the Orthodox, historic Nozyk Synagogue, and the Progressive Synagogue Ec Chaim. Both have Shabbat services and meals every week.
Every Sunday morning the Warsaw Jewish Community Center holds their infamous Boker Tov Brunch. For approximately $7 you can get unlimited vegetarian cooked food from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.--the dishes don’t stop coming out fresh all day long. The brunch provides a great way to interact with and meet local Polish Jews in a relaxed setting.
2. Kampala, Uganda
In Kampala, study abroad students have the chance to engage with a small but growing Masorti (Conservative) congregation, the Kampala Jewish Community and Synagogue. The synagogue, which includes a mixed choir and was built in 1998, holds regular daily services, social events, and weekly Shabbat services. Additionally, the synagogue is housed on the same campus as the Monaco Institute of Science which hosts a Judaic and Hebrew Education program. Classes include topics about the Torah and Hebrew language instruction.
Students can volunteer with the Hebrew and Judaic Studies programs, or, if you are interested in medicine, there are also opportunities to volunteer at the Galilee Community General Jewish Hospital in Kampala, which treats patients of all beliefs and ethnic backgrounds.
3. Mumbai, India
For a meaningful way to engage in the values of Judaism and contribute to the country where you spend time abroad, Mumbai offers a unique opportunity to combine exactly those two things. In partnership with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Gabriel Project Mumbai brings young Jewish adults ages 18-30 to India to work on breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger. International volunteers provide informal educational programming, emotional support, and nutritional meals to children living in slums.
Throughout the volunteer program students will experience the Jewish community in Mumbai, where the majority of India’s 4,500 Jews live today. You will meet local Mumbai Jews, attend Jewish festivals, services, and programming at the Magen David Synagogue, and visit the Jewish old age home Bayiti. Volunteers will also participate in courses such as Social Justice in Jewish Tradition and Jewish History of India.
4. Shanghai, China
Did you know that after World War II there were close to 24,000 Jews living in Shanghai, due to the role the city played as a place of refuge for European Jews escaping the Holocaust? Today, there are over 3,000 Jews living in Shanghai. Although small, many Jewish residents are young professionals which is perfect for students wanting to meet other Jews their own age while spending time abroad. There is even a Young Professionals Network where Jews gather every few weeks to learn from professionals about careers.
In addition to the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum which shares the history of Jews in Shanghai, there are many ways for students studying abroad to get involved in the welcoming community. Shanghai has three Chabad centers, a Reform synagogue called Kehilat Shanghai which holds lots of programming for students, a Jewish Shanghai Tour, one of the highest rated activities to do in Shanghai, and a Moishe House.
5. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City has an active Chabad which welcomes students of all Jewish backgrounds for weekly Friday night and Saturday morning Shabbat services, holiday services, learning opportunities and free meals. If you prefer a Progressive Jewish experience, a small Progressive (Reform) community exists which holds occasional Shabbat and holiday services and meals, and serves a very international community.
Further, there is the chance for Jewish students to go abroad to Ho Chi Minh City --expenses free! KAHAL Your Jewish Home Abroad is cosponsoring a new scholarship with CRCC Asia, the leading provider of international internships, for Jewish students to study abroad in Ho Chi Minh City fully funded. The scholarship includes round trip airfare, housing, a one month internship placement, cultural activities, a visa and more.
6. Amman, Jordan
When Jewish students choose to study abroad in the Middle East we automatically think of Israel. Yet, other cities in the Middle East, such as Amman, could provide you with the opportunity to learn about a neighboring country surrounding the Jewish state, develop your Arabic language skills which can prove useful in a career in Middle East relations, and still have ample opportunities to travel to Israel right nearby.
Although there aren’t known Jewish institutions in Amman, KAHAL’s micro-grant enables students to create their own community while abroad. Students can apply for up to $250 to offset the costs of hosting anything from a Shabbat meal to a Hamentashen baking session. Additionally, the study abroad provider AMIDEAST hosts programs in a few different cities, Amman being one place, and is very attentive to students with religious needs.
7. Santiago, Chile
An area in Santiago is nicknamed by locals “Little Israel” because of all the Jewish institutions in one location. Jewish life in Santiago goes all the way back to the 1500’s and has since become a center of Jewish history, often underestimated as a study abroad destination, but a great spot for students who love natural beauty. The city boasts a 4,000 member Jewish Community Center called Estadio Israelita Maccabi, which has a heavy emphasis on sports.
Further, Santiago contains the largest synagogue building in South America, a Conservative Synagogue called Comunidad Israelita de Santiago. The rabbi at that synagogue is specifically proud of the level of tolerance that Chileans are known for and which can be seen by the number of Jews who move to Santiago from other places. Santiago even has a Jewish firehouse called Bomba Israel which is supported by donations from the larger Jewish community and has its own fire truck with Hebrew writing on it--that's certainly something you can’t say about anywhere you study abroad!
You’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Wherever you study abroad, we hope you find a new home away from home.
When choosing where to study abroad there are a lot of factors to take into consideration.
If you are scared that such far flung locations will minimize your ability to be Jewish, know, that with a little research there is a whole world of Jewish opportunities out there. Choosing a place that isn’t often traveled by students does not have to be limiting, but rather, can be mind-opening. The suggested places above demonstrate that you can travel to a new place, and create your own path, while still participating in Jewish life and activities--but these are only a sample of the many off the beaten path locations yearning to be discovered.
By going a little out of your comfort zone, you may discover a new passion or interest. I returned from Warsaw wanting to talk about nothing but Poland--in fact, I have managed to write about Poland for five school papers this semester. There is so much I didn’t know about Poland and the Polish Jewish community before living there for a summer, because textbooks don’t teach everything. If textbooks don’t teach everything about large cities, just imagine what isn't covered about smaller less known places in the world. So ditch the crowds, the flocks of cameras all pointing at the same building, and take your time studying abroad to live in a place everyone else is missing out on. You are sure to have an authentic, rewarding time!
KAHAL Your Jewish Home Abroad is a non-profit organization which connects Jewish students studying abroad to Jewish opportunities, resources and connections abroad. KAHAL aims to create meaningful Jewish experiences for study abroad students, allowing them to interact with local Jewish communities and deepen their Jewish identities. Wherever students travel, KAHAL arranges chances to attend Shabbat dinners, meet Jewish students, attend holiday meals, volunteer and advocate, and provides grant funding and travel assistance.
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