Many people know the name Torah in Motion, as it is a leader in Torah education for adults. Seven years ago Dr. Marc Shapiro, one of Torah in Motion’s teachers, and Rabbi Jay Kelman, the director of Torah in Motion, came up with the idea of taking the classes literally “in motion.” Thus was born the Torah in Motion Tours. The program was inaugurated by bringing over 40 travelers to Central Europe, beginning in Budapest and ending in Prague; the group toured major tourist sites and well-known and other sites of Jewish interest. In subsequent years Dr. Shapiro added three other summer tours, to Italy, Spain and Germany.

What makes these trips unique is the combination they provide of a serious Jewish history tour, including visits to sites off the beaten track, together with the best of general sightseeing with excellent guides, At every step of the way, Dr. Shapiro provides historical background for all the places visited, and participants get to see what it is like for Jews today living in these countries. Those who have come on the trips have commented that, among other things, they particularly enjoyed hearing about the accomplishments of the great rabbis who served previously and who currently serve in the various cities that the groups pass through.

In addition to Dr. Shapiro’s four tours, Dr. Shalom Berger leads a tour to Poland. While the Holocaust is of necessity central to any tour to Poland, the Torah in Motion tour spends much time focusing on Jewish life in Poland before the Holocaust and the resurgence of Jewish life happening today.

For a number of years now Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin has been leading the Torah in Motion African Safari. But this is not just a trip to see amazing animals in their natural habitat. Rabbi Slifkin is able to bring to life the connection between the Torah and the animal kingdom in a way that no one else can.

This year Torah in Motion is adding a new Caribbean tour, to many of the important Jewish sites in the United States and Curacao. Accompanying this tour are two outstanding scholars of American and Caribbean Jewish history, Dr. Zev Eleff and Dr. Laura Arnold Leibman.

In addition to the wonderful camaraderie and excellent guides and scholars-in-residence, all of the Torah in Motion tours stay in wonderful upscale accommodations and provide three delicious meals a day. More information is available at www.torahinmotion.org/travel or 416-633-5770.