Auschwitz-Birkenau
Bearing Witness Retreat
November 17 - 23, 2024
Since Bernie Glassman, Jishu Holmes, Eve Marko and Andrezej Krajewski began the annual Bearing Witness Retreat at the old site of the death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oświęcim, Poland in 1996, the Zen Peacemakers have been returning for over twenty-five years to continue to bear witness to oneness in diversity, in the place that became a mythic symbol of humanity’s tendency to intolerance. Much has been written about these annual retreats; at least half a dozen films have been made about them in various languages. Not confined to Buddhists, Zen Peacemakers members, or only those who have been affected by the place and the narrative surrounding it — the retreat at Auschwitz-Birkenau is open to all, is multi-faith and multinational in character, and has a strong focus on the Zen Peacemakers’ Three Tenets: ¹Not-Knowing, ²Bearing Witness, and ³Taking Action that arises from Not-Knowing and Bearing Witness.
Most of each day is spent sitting by the train tracks at Birkenau, both in silence and in chanting the names of the dead. We walk through the vast camps, perform vigils and memorial services inside the barracks. Participants meet daily in small Council groups designed to create a safe place for people to share their inner experiences, and evening programs are specifically designed to address the needs of the whole.
Throughout the years the Auschwitz Retreat, Zen Peacemakers’ flagship annual event, has become the gathering place of Zen Peacemakers from all around the world.
Testimonial
Koho Mello
Registration Information
To register, please (Click Here) and fill out the Auschwitz Participation Form. This form provides important information when purchasing your Retreat Ticket. Once submitted you can proceed to payment options.
Retreat Fee: $1195.00 (USD)
Early Registration ($100 Discount before April 1st): $1,095 (USD)
The retreat fee finances the administrative and logistical costs of the retreat such as transportation, lodging, food, tour guides, and travel of staff, as well as towards the year-long administration of the retreat by ZP staff. It contributes to honorariums and travel costs needed to bring select guests, scholarships for local participants, those of diverse backgrounds and those with limited means.
For Travel Purposes:
TRANSPORTATION: The Retreat Fee includes all transportation to and from Oświeçem (post retreat drop off includes Krakow airport, train station and main square).
LODGING: The Retreat Fee includes room and board while in Oświęcim (Monday through Friday). Your dormitory room at the Dialogue Center in Oświęcim, where we will stay during the retreat, is fully included in your fee. You will have an option to upgrade to a Double or Single Room for an additional cost.
The Retreat Fee does not include travel to/from Krakow or lodging in Krakow. Participants will need to make reservations for Sunday, 17th of November or after the retreat (Saturday, 11/23).
In general, Bearing Witness Retreat Fees pay for:
- Accommodations and meals during the retreat
- Transportation during the retreat
- Honorariums, travel and lodging costs of key figures and presenters
- Scholarships for potential leaders at future bearing witness retreats and those with limited means
- Pre-retreat planning and development
- Logistical and administrative costs of international staff (some staff work as a volunteers and are unpaid)
Zen Peacemakers encourages everyone to fundraise their participation by reaching out to close ones and friends and by that to include others in what otherwise may be a very personal journey. You will also raise awareness for whatever causes or issues attending this retreat will address for you.
2,500 years ago, it was the practice of the lay congregation to support monks through donations of food and clothing. Shakyamuni Buddha led his monks each morning in the practice of begging for their daily food. Each day’s offering was received with thanks regardless of its nature or size. In this way the Buddha encouraged simplicity, the generosity of both giving and receiving, and undiscriminating appreciation.
We continue this begging practice by raising support for our work by assembling a mala, or beads that are strung together and worn like a necklace. Each bead represents a person who supports that member’s vision and work, and the entire mala represents the Member’s community of support.
This is a practice of giving and receiving. By asking for support from family, friends, and associates, we acknowledge that as individuals, we are limited in what we can do. We depend on the generosity of others to increase our membership, train more peacemakers, and develop and support more programs. This is one more way in which we bear witness in the interdependence of life.
Another important aspect of mala practice is the incorporation of the ministry of money in our program. The assembly of malas ensures that money management and fundraising are not seen as foreign to peacemaking work; instead, the give-and-take of money is the compassionate, unobstructed flow of energy that nourishes and transforms our activities.
Mala practice also gives us the opportunity to share our work with our families, friends, and associates. Most of us lead professional work lives and have families. By raising money for our Socially Engaged Buddhist work, we publicize its activities, and most important, our own commitment. By wearing the beads we have assembled, we take our supporters with us in our peacemaking endeavors and on Bearing Witness retreats such as at Auschwitz, thus making family and friends an intimate part of this peacemaking journey.
Assemble a mala (not from your personal funds) consisting of 18 small beads and one Buddha (large) bead or one of 108 beads and dedicate each bead to each of your donors. Beads from individuals or from groups or families are equally appreciated. When they offer a bead, they will be working, training, studying and traveling with you wherever you go.
If the retreat is canceled by Zen Peacemakers International (ZPI), the retreat fee will be fully refunded.
If it is canceled by the registrant after July 1st and before October 1st, the fee can be refunded after the $100 administrative fee.
If it is canceled by the registrant before October 15th, the fee can be refunded after the $300 cancelation fee.
The Retreat Fee becomes non-refundable if it is canceled by the registrant after October 15th.
All refunds are normally processed within 60 days of the notification of cancellation.
Please be reminded that if you requested an upgrade to your room reservation, the upgrade fee may not be refundable after a certain date. Please check with ZPI staff at retreats@zenpeacemakers.org.
Three Tenets
ARRIVAL: Please arrange to attend the Arrival Registration in Krakow, Sunday November 17th, between 6:00 – 7:00pm. All Participants will need to book their own hotel room for November 17th (see below for options).
DEPARTURE: Please make travel arrangements to leave from Krakow Airport (KRK) or train station no sooner than 12pm on November 23rd. Shuttles will take all wishing participants from the retreat’s site and drop off 1st at Krakow airport, 2nd at train station and 3rd at city center by 12pm (booking your flight after 1pm should be enough time).
Travel Encouragement:
Arrive a few days before to adjust after your travel, explore beautiful Krakow and leave at least a day later to allow integration of your retreat experience before returning home.
When you participate in a Bearing Witness retreat, you enter a carefully crafted container held by various teams:
Spirit Holders learn and listen to the pulse of the retreat during the retreat, and adjust the schedule accordingly. This role is specific to the retreat they have been chosen for. They review the retreat structure and schedule and make recommendations for changes. The Spirit Holders include (1) individuals whose lives are deeply infused with the place and theme of the retreat, (2) Zen teachers or Masters with extensive experience in the practice and teaching of the Three Tenets and (3) Those with a particular role, such as Head of Logistical Staff and Head Council Trainer.
Staff serves the needs of the retreat and its participants by translating the direction of the spirit holders into action. Our staff consists of local people and highly trained ZPO members.
Council Facilitators lead the daily council groups- sharing circles that give space for sharing one’s experience of the retreat with others.
Elders are past retreat Spirit Holders who have transmitted their role to another and hold years-worth of insight from experiencing, practicing and leading at ZPO Bearing Witness retreats. They participate informally and offer the retreat administrators and current spirit holders feedback on the flow and pulse of the retreat. They are available to everyone as a resource before, during and after a retreat.
The Administration Team develops, plans and manages the budget, marketing and schedule for each retreat from its inception to the actual start of the retreat. They continuously evaluate and determine whether a retreat is financially feasible.
Dialogue Center Staff maintains our lodging facilities, prepares and serves our hearty and healthy meals.
Celebration of diversity has been a hallmark of the Zen Peacemakers Bearing Witness Retreats and in particular at Auschwitz-Birkenau, once a symbol of extreme intolerance towards others. Through the years the Zen Peacemakers have hosted countless nationalities, faiths and ethnicities on the retreat. Donations can be extended towards those from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the multifaceted experience of the retreat. Donations will also ensure the attendance of those challenged financially to gather the cost of tuition.
Scholarships are available to individuals on a personal basis, are reviewed by ZP Staff. If you are interested (or require) a scholarship, please email info@zenpeacemakers.org for details.
Memorial Candles are available for suggest donation of $18 per candle. During the retreat, there will be a dedicated time to receive and present your candle.
Donations can be made at the time of registration or online on our Donation Page. Please add ‘Candle & Diversity Fund’ in the comments.
Zen Peacemakers, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization for your tax purposes.
Three Tenets
Not Knowing, Bearing Witness and Taking Action that arises from Not-Knowing and Bearing Witness. These are the principles of the Zen Peacemakers and the foundation for the Auschwitz/Birkenau Retreat.
This optional workshop is an experiential introduction to these principles, led by the retreat staff. This is a rare opportunity to explore together with seasoned practitioners and their years of experience in plunges and bearing witness retreats.
It will take place at the Hotel Kazimierz I, in Krakow on Saturday, November 16th, from 10:00am till 4:00pm (with a break from noon to 2:00pm). The cost of this one-day workshop is $200. Your fee supports the expenses of the retreat and contributes to scholarships available to those of limited means. Registration for the Three Tenet Workshop will be an option during Event Payment. You may register for this event separately until November 14th.
Zen Peacemakers
Core Trainings
Kraków
Hotel Kazimierz will be the central home-base for our retreat in Krakow and we recommend you stay there. Participants are responsible for paying their own bill before departure from the hotel.
Hotel Kazimierz
ul. Miodowa 16
phone: +48 12 433-97-95
https://www.hk.com.pl/en/kazimierz-hotel-1/
Other Hotels:
Hotel Campanile Krakow
34 Saint Tomas Str.
phone: +48 12 424 26 00
http://www.campanile-cracovie.pl/pl
Aparthotel
13 Grodzka Str.
phone: 0048 662 099 640
http://www.aparthotel-cracow.com/
Hotel Pollera
20 Szpitalna Str.
phone: 0048 12 422 10 44
http://www.pollera.com.pl/pl,kontakt.php
Hotel Polski pod Białym Orłem
17 Pijarska Street
phone: 0048 12 261 38 30
http://www.donimirski.com/hotel-polski
Hotel Wenzl
19 Main Square
phone: 0048 12 430 26 64
http://wentzl.pl/pl/contact.html
Cafe Młynek B&B
7 Plac Wolnica, Kazimierz District
phone: 0048 12 43 06 202
http://cafemlynek.com/
Budget Lodgings:
Goodbye Lenin Revolution Hostel
9 Dolnych Młynów Street, Kazimierz District
phone: 0048 12 421 20 30 or 0048 12 341 46 66
http://goodbyelenin.pl/
Trzy Kafki Hostel
29 Aleje Slowackiego
phone: 0048 12 632 94 18
www.trzykafki.pl
Jewish History Path – 1 day tour, but if you do not have much time you can just visit the most significant places (marked in bold )
A map of these locations can be found HERE
Kazimierz District:
1. The Old Synagogue, 24 Szeroka Str.
2. The Small Synagogue (Popper Synagogue), 16 Szeroka Str.
3. The New Synagogue (Remu Synagogue, the only active synagogue) with the old Jewish cementery, 40 Szeroka Str.
4. The new Jewish cementary, 55 Miodowa Str.
5. The Temple Synogogue, 24 Miodowa Str.
6. Jewish Square (Plac Żydowski) take Estery Street
7. The Kupa Synagogue, 8 Warszauera Str.
8. The Izaaka Jakubowicza Synagogue, 16 Kupa Str.
9. The High Synagogue, 38 Jozefa Str.
10. Galicja Jewish Museum, 18 Dajwor Str.
Take: Saint Wawrzynca Str., Gazowa Str. and Podgorska Str. to 11
11. Kladka Bernatka Bridge, Podgorska Str.
Podgorze District:
12. Plac Bohaterów Getta – Square of the Heros of the Ghetto
Take Jozefinska Str. and Targowa Str.
13. Museum “Apteka pod Orłem” – The Pharmacy under the Eagle
18 Plac Bohaterów Getta
Take street: Na Zjeździe, Kącik and Lipowa to
14. Schindler’s Factory Emalia – Museum, 4 Lipowa Str.
Testimonial
Eve Marko
Resources
and Contemplations
Ka-Tzetnik 135633, Shivitti: A Vision (A must read – recommend by Bernie Glassman)
Primo Levi, Survival in Auschwitz (also published as If This Is a Man)
Elie Wiesel, Night
Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life: The Diaries of Etty Hillesum 1941- 1943
Charlotte Delbo, Auschwitz and After
Claude Lanzmann, Shoah – An Oral History of the Holocaust
Jean-Francois Steiner, Treblinka
Wladyslaw Szpilman, The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man’s Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945
Ka-Tzetnik 135633. Kaddish
Rudolf Hoess, Commandant of Auschwitz: The Autobiography of Rudolf Hoess
and Contemplations
Primo Levi, The Drowned and the Saved
Jean Amery, At the Mind’s Limits: Contemplations by a Survivor on Auschwitz and Its Realities
Helen Epstein, Children of the Holocaust: Conversations with Sons and Daughters
of Survivors
Lawrence L. Langer, Admitting the Holocaust: Collected Essays
Lawrence L. Langer, Holocaust Testimonies: The Ruins of Memory
Simon Wiesenthal, The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness
Kathleen Battke (ed.), Pearls of Ash & Awe. 20 Years of Bearing Witness in Auschwitz w/Bernie Glassman & Zen Peacemakers
Laurence Rees, Auschwitz: A New History
Literary Works
Tadeusz Borowski, This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen
Yaffa Eliach, Hassidic Tales of the Holocaust
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
Nicole Krauss, The History of Love
Bernhard Schlink, The Reader
Ursula Hegi, Stones from the River
Son of Saul (László Nemes; Hungary 2015)
Schindler’s List (Steven Spielberg; USA 1993)
The Pianist (Roman Polanski ; Poland, France, Germany, UK 2002)
Elle s’appelait Sarah (Sarah’s Key) (Gilles Paquet-Brenner; France 2010)
La vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) (Roberto Benigni ; Italy 1997)
Lore (Cate Shortland; Australia, Germany, UK 2012)
Au revoir les enfants (Goodbye, Children) (Louis Malle; France 1987)
Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (The Final Days) (Marc Rothemund ; Germany 2005)
Nuit et brouillard (Night and Fog) (Alain Resnais ; France 1955 – documentary)
The Labyrinth (Jason Schmidt 2010 – documentary)
Memory, art and hell collide as an Auschwitz survivor finally confronts the horrors of his past after 50 years of silence.
Covid Information
We support our attendees’ concern for security and safety and we require all those registering to provide a photo image of their Covid vaccination card. We will, of course, follow the Covid regulations in place at the time of the retreat on site as well. Every country may have different regulations and types of certificates needed for entry/exit/re-entry at different times. For example, some countries have required proof of testing negative (with a an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)) 3 days prior to re-entry. This may change; however, participants are asked to be aware of the regulation updates for their destination. Please be advised that the testing fees are not included in the retreat fees. Although costs will be covered personally, we will assist in making this service accessible.
Please keep abreast of the travel restrictions due to Covid-19 and make your travel arrangements wisely, purchasing either a fully refundable ticket, a travel insurance policy, or both.
Questions regarding retreat program: lilli@zenpeacemakers.org
Questions regarding retreat registration and payment: info@zenpeacemakers.org
