Heritage Seminars

Heritage Seminars was established in 1990, as an educational program for the study of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before WWII and the Holocaust. Heritage was the initiative of Michael Berl, who coordinated collegiate programming for the March of the Living with Dr. David Bernstein, then Director of Midreshet Lindenbaum, and Vicky Berglas, Director of Student affairs at Midreshet Moriah in Jerusalem. The seminar was designed to focus on the richness of Jewish life, personalities, lifestyle and Torah and cultural contributions of the Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. The seminar would then analyze the demise of these communities as a result of the Holocaust.

The Heritage curriculum was later upgraded by Shulamith Imbar, Director of the International School of Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem and by Safira Rappaport, then Director of the Pedagogue and Research Center. Heritage added Rabbi Dr. Adam Ferziger of Bar Ilan University, Dr. David Silberklang of Hebrew University, Rabbi Michael Yamer of Yeshivat Shaalbim and Rabbi Avraham Krieger of the Shem Olam Institute of Holocaust Studies to its Senior Staff.

In 1999, Heritage received accreditation as a 2 credit Holocaust Seminar by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Heritage began study programs for High School Seniors and Adult organizations.
In 2002, Rabbi Levi Cooper of the Pardes Institute, Rabbi Aryeh Hendler of Yeshivat Shaalbim and Rabbi David Katz of MMY joined the Senior Staff.

As of 2006, Heritage has programmed seminars for over 6000 students from 35 schools in Poland, Prague, Lithuania and Ukraine. Heritage affiliates include: the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Israel Studies Institute, and Bnei Brith Hillel at Hebrew University. Today, seven historians, and 25 educators are incorporated into the on-going educational process.

1. In 2001, Heritage was able to redeem a Sefer Torah from the town of Sineve. The Torah was in the possession of a local farmer. It was given to him for safe caring by Rabbi Yechezkel Sineve with instructions to give it to the first Jews returning to Sineve. In 2001, a group of 80 Heritage women visited Sineve and redeemed the Sefer Torah. It was repaired and completed. Today, it is used at the annual Yeshiva Seminar to Poland.

2. In 2001, Heritage found itself in its most unusual set of circumstances. The Ramaz School, visiting Poland with Heritage was called upon to perform general rites for the last Jew of the town of Auschwitz- Mr. Shimshon Kluger. Mr. Kluger, hiding as a recluse and living alone in Auschwitz was buried in the Auschwitz Cemetery by 40 students of Ramaz, who answered the call of the Rabbi of Cracow for assistance.

3. On two occasions, Heritage hosted Lady Amelie Jakobovits, the Rebbezin of Lord Emanual Jakobovits, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. Lady Amelie served as Holocaust witness on two programs, retelling her personal story to 400 students on both occasions.

4. Heritage 2000 was unique for the men at Heritage. In a visit to Chelmno, the men, under the guidance of Rabbi Avram Krieger, uncovered the complete skeletal remains of a baby. Funeral services were initiated immediately. The event was the most impacted moment of the seminar for these participants.

5. Among the esteemed Rabbinical figures who have participated in Heritage: Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Rabbi Eliezer Waldman, Rosh Yeshivat Nir Kiryat Arba, Rabbi Dr. Chaim Bravender, Rosh Yeshivat Hamivtar, Rabbi Azarya Berzon, Rosh Yeshivat Shaare Mevaseret Zion, Rabbi Moshe Sosefsky, Rosh Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalaim, Rabbi Abraham Wahrhaftig, Former Director, Camp Morasha, and Rabbi Meier Berglas, Dean, Midreshet Moriah.


Home Apply Now! About Heritage Why Heritage? History Mission Staff For Parents What's Included? Dates &Itinerary How to Apply What to Bring Yeshiva Program High School Program University Program Custom Family Programs Past Participants General Information Health & Safety News Upcoming Programs Contact Us Links	Our History Heritage Seminars was established in 1990, as an educational program for the study of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before WWII and the Holocaust. Heritage was the initiative of Michael Berl, who coordinated collegiate programming for the March of the Living with Dr. David Bernstein, then Director of Midreshet Lindenbaum, and Vicky Berglas, Director of Student affairs at Midreshet Moriah in Jerusalem. The seminar was designed to focus on the richness of Jewish life, personalities, lifestyle and Torah and cultural contributions of the Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. The seminar would then analyze the demise of these communities as a result of the Holocaust. The Heritage curriculum was later upgraded by Shulamith Imbar, Director of the International School of Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem and by Safira Rappaport, then Director of the Pedagogue and Research Center. Heritage added Rabbi Dr. Adam Ferziger of Bar Ilan University, Dr. David Silberklang of Hebrew University, Rabbi Michael Yamer of Yeshivat Shaalbim and Rabbi Avraham Krieger of the Shem Olam Institute of Holocaust Studies to its Senior Staff. In 1999, Heritage received accreditation as a 2 credit Holocaust Seminar by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Heritage began study programs for High School Seniors and Adult organizations. In 2002, Rabbi Levi Cooper of the Pardes Institute, Rabbi Aryeh Hendler of Yeshivat Shaalbim and Rabbi David Katz of MMY joined the Senior Staff. As of 2006, Heritage has programmed seminars for over 6000 students from 35 schools in Poland, Prague, Lithuania and Ukraine. Heritage affiliates include: the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Israel Studies Institute, and Bnei Brith Hillel at Hebrew University. Today, seven historians, and 25 educators are incorporated into the on-going educational process. Some Special Heritage Moments: 1. In 2001, Heritage was able to redeem a Sefer Torah from the town of Sineve. The Torah was in the possession of a local farmer. It was given to him for safe caring by Rabbi Yechezkel Sineve with instructions to give it to the first Jews returning to Sineve. In 2001, a group of 80 Heritage women visited Sineve and redeemed the Sefer Torah. It was repaired and completed. Today, it is used at the annual Yeshiva Seminar to Poland. 2. In 2001, Heritage found itself in its most unusual set of circumstances. The Ramaz School, visiting Poland with Heritage was called upon to perform general rites for the last Jew of the town of Auschwitz- Mr. Shimshon Kluger. Mr. Kluger, hiding as a recluse and living alone in Auschwitz was buried in the Auschwitz Cemetery by 40 students of Ramaz, who answered the call of the Rabbi of Cracow for assistance. 3. On two occasions, Heritage hosted Lady Amelie Jakobovits, the Rebbezin of Lord Emanual Jakobovits, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. Lady Amelie served as Holocaust witness on two programs, retelling her personal story to 400 students on both occasions. 4. Heritage 2000 was unique for the men at Heritage. In a visit to Chelmno, the men, under the guidance of Rabbi Avram Krieger, uncovered the complete skeletal remains of a baby. Funeral services were initiated immediately. The event was the most impacted moment of the seminar for these participants. 5. Among the esteemed Rabbinical figures who have participated in Heritage: Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Rabbi Eliezer Waldman, Rosh Yeshivat Nir Kiryat Arba, Rabbi Dr. Chaim Bravender, Rosh Yeshivat Hamivtar, Rabbi Azarya Berzon, Rosh Yeshivat Shaare Mevaseret Zion, Rabbi Moshe Sosefsky, Rosh Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalaim, Rabbi Abraham Wahrhaftig, Former Director, Camp Morasha, and Rabbi Meier Berglas, Dean, Midreshet Moriah. top of page