April 30, 2025
Gavi:
My biggest takeaway from Vienna is that it’s a city rich in history and full of Jewish culture. During our time here, we saw so many meaningful places—beautiful views, powerful historical sites, and much more. What stood out to me most was how deeply Jewish culture is woven into the city. Everywhere we went, there were signs of Jewish life—history, people, and traditions that continue to thrive today.
My favorite moments were visiting Theodor Herzl’s neighborhood and attending the Israel celebration. Both showed how Jewish culture is alive and vibrant throughout the entire city.
Hailie:
I learned that Vienna has a large and active Jewish community. There are so many important Jewish sites to see and so much to learn here. Last night, when we went to the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration, it was so much fun! I loved seeing the Jewish community come together—everyone was dancing and enjoying the moment with one another.
Seraphina:
My favorite part of the trip so far was probably the Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremonies. I saw and felt so much emotion—being surrounded by people mourning those they’ve lost, but not forgotten, was incredibly powerful. At the same time, there was joy too. Everyone was dancing to the music, and I even danced with people I didn’t know. Even though my ears were ringing from how loud it was, it was a meaningful and unforgettable experience.
Benny:
My favorite parts of Vienna were definitely rafting and having the time of our lives on the water. I also really enjoyed exploring some interesting museums and seeing the city’s landmarks. The Yom Ha’atzmaut experience is something I’ll never forget—it was so much fun, and it was amazing to see so many Jews coming together to pray and celebrate for Israel. I also loved shopping, picking out souvenirs, and just spending time with my friends in such a great city.
Maya:
My favorite part of Vienna was the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. It was amazing to experience Israel’s independence in a completely different country—to eat their food, see how they celebrate, and be part of the joy. It was such a cool experience, and I would absolutely do it again!
Charles:
During my time in Vienna, I really got to see how deep and far back Austrian culture and history go. The oldest piece of history I learned about was at the prison we hiked to. King Leopold of England (I think!) was captured there around the year 1100. He was trying to return home to claim his throne but was recognized in Austria—a country he had previously disrespected. The Austrians held him for nine months and demanded a ransom.
The view from the castle was incredible, but standing in the very prison where he was held was even more surreal. My favorite part was looking out over the edge—seeing the river, the greenery, and the unique houses so different from what I see every day.
Sammy: My favorite experience in Vienna was when we went to the amusement park and we were doing bumper cars. It was a fun experience to ram my friends with cars. My takeaway from Vienna is that Jews have a part of Vienna for “themselves” which is the Jewish quarter. I learned that two leaders of the empire made a place for Jews in Vienna.
Lucy:
It’s hard to choose just one favorite part of Vienna, but if I had to, I’d say white water rafting was the best! It was so cool to go rafting again—this time with huge waves. Steering the raft was really challenging with all the waves, even more than on our last trip. I also loved jumping off and just having fun. At first, I was a little nervous, but I gained confidence and ended up really enjoying it. I’ve realized how much I like rafting!