Study Abroad

USA History & Jewish Studies in Germany

In 2024, Dr. Meola took seven students on a tour of Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany, and Warsaw and Krakow, Poland.

The theme of the course was the "Holocaust and Memory," with a focus on memorial culture in these cities.

Here are some images from our trip (all courtesy of Dr. Meola):

From Berlin:

Outside the Bundestag

At the Bundestag

Inside the Bundestag Cuppola The Bundestag Cuppola

At the Brandenburg Gate

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

With Conrad Clemens, Dr. Meola's friend

Mr. Clemens was the Representative for the State of Saxony to the Bunderrat (German Federal Council).

Roma-Sinti Memorial in Berlin

Rosenstrasse Memorial Rosenstrasse Protest memorial in Berlin

In Poland:

In old city Warsaw, at the Starego Miasta

Rapaport Memorial in Warsaw (outside POLIN)

Jewish Library Warsaw Outside the Jewish Historical Institute, Warsaw

Inside the Jewish Historical Institute

Lucky Jew souvenirs These items are all over Warsaw. These are "lucky Jew" souvenirs. My friend, a PhD student in Warsaw, mentioned that his grandma had gotten him one as a child. Many Poles believe that giving/having one of these items will bring you good luck, especially the ones that have coins attached to them. This is also very problematic for many reasons, but on the surface having totems/"lucky Jew" souvenirs is apparently much nicer than having real, living Jews around.

Pierogies in Warsaw

Auschwitz entrance Approach to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Crematorium Auschwitz I Crematorium at Auschwitz I

Schindler Museum Outside the Schnindler Factory (now Museum), Krakow

Schindler Kitsch Kitsch sold at the Schindler Museum.

Notice how these images somehow glorify/idealize the Nazi period in Krakow. Very disturbing!

Jewish Museum Galicia Mural outside the Jewish Museum of Galicia

Krakow Market In the heart of Kazimierz (the Jewish Quarter of Krakow, there is an outdoor market.

Aside from other "Jewish" items, if you look closely (in the center-right area), you will see a stamp that appears to be from the Theresienstadt/Terezin Ghetto in modern Czechia. It is unreal that such "kitschy" items could still be sold on the street.

Farewell dinner at "Klezmer" Restaurant. There was, in fact, a Klezmer band, along with a very traditional Jewish/Kosher meal.

For additional information, please contact:
Dr. David A. Meola
Fanny & Bert Meisler Associate Professor in History and Jewish Studies
Director, Jewish & Holocaust Studies Program
dameola@southalabama.edu

and/or

You can book an advising appointment with a study abroad advisor at:
https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/studyabroad/advising.html

Special Thanks:
This program was supported by a small subsidy from the Gulf Coast Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education, located in Mobile, Alabama. Scholarships for students are provided by many generous individuals in the Mobile community, including Arlene Mitchell and Bert Meisler, and the Mobile Area Jewish Federation.