Each spring I take Asbury University students to Berlin and Krakow to study aspects of the Holocaust. We learn about the euthanasia efforts in Nazi-Germany as well as the concentration and extermination camp system. Among other events, students are led through guided tours of Sachsenhausen, Ravensbruck, and Auschwitz. Accounts of the victims, perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers, are each confronted and considered by the students as they attempt to wade into the perplexing waters of the what, how, and whys of these horrible events. Furthermore, the holocaust narrative is used as a portal into a raw and unvarnished examination of the darkness that besets the human condition. To learn more about these trips (non-AU students are welcome to apply), visit the Asbury University website.
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 13: The Opposite of Misery
Today was our last day together. The agenda was light – some processing and tour reflection, an evening meal together, and a classical music concert.
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 12: Auschwitz I & II
By 6:15 we were on the road to the Auschwitz camp complex. We met David Kennedy, my friend and incredible Auschwitz tour guide, along the
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 11: Churches, Cemeteries, Memorials, and a Museum
Today was a lighter day, but still included more than one church, a couple cemeteries, several memorials, and one museum. The pictures below include shots
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 10: Welcome to Kraków!
A seven-plus hour train ride delivered us safely and (relatively) smoothly from Berlin to Kraków; training-it is definitely the way to go. We also got
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 9: Free Berlin
Today was our last in Berlin, and it was free for the students to explore. We get up early tomorrow to catch a train to
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 8: Ravensbrück
Today we trained it up to Fürstenberg an der Havel to explore the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp. It’s pretty far away from Berlin – but three
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 7: Contrasts and Consequences
Today we successfully got to two very important places – the Sachsenhausen Concentration camp and the Wannsee Conference House. It was a full day –
2026 Holocaust Studies Tour, Day 6: Churches, Memorials, and a Very Impressive Museum
For many of us, our day started at the historic Berliner Dom for a morning worship service – it turned out to also include the