Ani Zocher:
Pilgrims' Stories

Eastern Europe/IP 2004,
by Molly Salovitz, Tzafon

There was one particular night I distinctly remember in Krakow. It was the night of the Jewish Festival where thousands of people from all over Europe joined in unity to celebrate Jewish life. The festival was only steps outside the Ester Hotel where we were staying. When the festival began, my group was davening Havdalah on an outside balcony. The music and singing from the festival was so loud that no one could concentrate. Everyone was so anxious to get outside and join what looked to be the best night we would have in Poland. In the small square where the festival was, people were dancing and singing like there was no tomorrow. You couldn't move three feet without bumping into people. There were so many people there from different backgrounds that when my friends and I needed to get by, instead of saying "excuse me" in English, we just said it in as many languages as we could hoping that the person standing next to us would recognize one of them. The excitement that ran through my body was one I will never forget. My group was the only group out of all the others that were able to take part in the festival. I am so thankful that I was able to experience and be part of a festival that recognizes Jewish Culture.

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