Day 5

Friday began for the German and Israeli students in Kraków with a shared breakfast that felt like an opening to a day full of encounters and impressions. The kitchen in the hostel was filled with a lively mixture of languages, gestures, laughter, and curious conversations. You could sense how much the young people, despite their different backgrounds, had already grown into a community. Many used the time to look back on the experiences of the previous days in this city so rich in history, while others looked ahead with excitement to the rest of the day’s program.

At 12:30 p.m., the workshop was on the agenda, which had not been able to take place on Monday because of flight delays. Although this delay had caused some unrest at the beginning of the week, nothing of it could be felt on this day. The young people, mixed in German-Israeli groups, worked together in a focused and committed way. They discussed historical responsibility, similarities and differences between their cultures, and the significance of remembrance work in the present day. What was especially impressive was how naturally the young people supported one another and how openly they also shared personal thoughts and experiences. This workshop became an example of genuine intercultural cooperation, and of Israeli young people sharing their history with German students.

The afternoon brought a relaxed phase of free time. Some first returned to the hostel to pack suitcases and tidy up. Others headed off in small groups to the mall or into Kraków’s historic city center. Among modern shops, picturesque alleyways, and the special flair of this city, they spent relaxed hours, bought souvenirs, tried small snacks, and simply wandered. Many deliberately chose to have only a light lunch, knowing that a large and festive Shabbat buffet awaited them in the evening.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Shabbat celebration were underway at the Galicia Jewish Museum. The museum, which in the evening was transformed into a warmly lit festive hall, formed the setting for an experience that was new for many of the German students: the ceremonial welcoming of Shabbat. Already upon entering, one could feel the special atmosphere. The tables were elegantly laid, and the Israeli students had prepared carefully in order to explain and share their traditions.

Both groups arrived dressed for the occasion. The young people had made an effort to look nice, and everywhere one could see eager anticipation and respectful attentiveness. The Shabbat celebration itself developed into a particularly moving moment. The Israeli girls lit the candles, explained their significance, and created a calm atmosphere. The boys led the prayers, explained the Hebrew texts, and carefully included the German students. It was a moment of genuine closeness, in which cultural boundaries faded and shared experience stood at the center.

The buffet that followed exceeded the expectations of many. In addition to traditional Shabbat dishes, there were also Polish specialties, and the mixture of new flavors, conversations, and warm atmosphere made the meal a special experience. After the meal, the Israeli students presented their “news exchange,” a ritual in which, after meals, they share current political, economic, and global events. This conscious way of engaging with world affairs impressed many of the German young people and led to lively conversations about media, responsibility, and international developments.

After the meal, the teachers as well as members of the Israeli staff addressed emotional words of thanks to the group. Their speeches were marked by appreciation, joy, and moving seriousness. Many made it clear how much this encounter trip meant to them and how impressive the cooperation between the young people had been.

Afterwards came a moment that both lightened the evening further and became an emotional highlight: Florian sat down at the piano and played several pieces, while Jonas, with his warm voice, sang songs requested by the students. Immediately, an atmosphere arose that can hardly be described, a feeling of community, joy, and connectedness. The music filled the hall, many of the young people joined in or clapped along, some danced between the tables, and everyone simply enjoyed themselves. We savored the moment. This spontaneous musical togetherness showed impressively how much art and culture can connect people.

But the evening did not end there. Almost the entire group, accompanied by the German and Israeli staff, made their way to a karaoke bar in order to end the day in a cheerful spirit. There, German and Israeli voices blended into a colorful tapestry of sound made up of international songs. There was laughter, singing, cheering, and dancing, and in these carefree moments, it became clear once again how much this encounter gave the young people: courage, joy, understanding, new friendships, and unforgettable memories.

So ended a day rich in encounters and emotions, a day that showed how valuable cultural exchange is for young people and how deeply such experiences can resonate. 13 February 2026 will remain in the memory of all involved as one of the most formative and most beautiful days of the project.