Question From My Heart: Visiting Jewish Remembrance Sites in Europe

Hello – First time poster on this sub, thank you for your time.

I (55F) will be visiting Europe for the first time next year. I will be there for two months and my itinerary includes Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Croatia, Sorrento, Rome, Venice, Chur, Heidelberg, Amsterdam, Bath, and Edinburgh.

I, myself, am not of Jewish ancestry. When I was 14 years old, I did a year-long project for school on Holocaust survivors. I visited in person with more than a dozen survivors living in my local retirement homes, etc. and it had a profound impact that is very much still with me today.

I plan to visit Schindler’s factory, the Dutch Resistance Museum, Anne Frank house, and several Jewish cemeteries and old “ghetto” neighborhoods throughout my trip. — I very respectfully say, my motivation is a deep emotional connection, on a spiritual level. Because of that, I am choosing to visit sites that honor the lives lost and the lives of people who fought against oppression. While immensely important on a global platform, I’m having trouble (emotionally) visiting the sites (camps) where millions were slaughtered… as if my gut were telling me, in no uncertain terms, do not disturb.

I have read the general advice and proper etiquette for visiting cemeteries and synagogues with respect and awareness.

Here are a few questions for the community:

1) Whenever I visit a cemetery, as a rule, I pause before I enter – and again just before I leave – and thank the residents for allowing me to visit, and wish them peace/light/love. Is there a brief Hebrew blessing I can learn to appropriately convey that sentiment?

2) Other than the DRM in Amsterdam, I haven’t found many sites that honor resistance fighters… I didn’t think I was bad at Google, but it’s possible. Any recommendations?

3) We’ll be in Europe September/October. I am advised not to visit certain sites on Shabbat or the first day of a holiday, which I will honor. Would you kindly advise of holidays during those months I would likely be unaware of?

4) What are the sites – especially lesser known ones – that YOU feel are especially meaningful to visit? Could be a park, an historic restaurant that was a clandestine meeting spot, a house, an underground press… anything that could be under my radar…

5) How may I best honor the existing Jewish communities while visiting? Are there appropriate offerings when visiting synagogues, donations for cemetery upkeep, continuing education, or the like?

Thanks for your patience, and I look forward to hearing back from you.