October 14 - 21, 2001

In order to secure limited hotel space and make other long term plans and reservations, the OCRP needs to have your commitment to join the tour as soon as possible.

You will be asked to make two deposits, one by August 8th and the other by the end of August. These combined deposits will be used for the bus, tour guide, hotels, meals, tips and some miscellaneous expenses for the 8 day tour. A special, commemorative gift - a silver mezuzah incorporating the elements of the Janikow sandstone (the same stone that was originally used for the Ozarow matzevos and is now being used as a building material for the new cemetery wall) will also be included in this package. This mezuzah (two disctinct examples of the mezuzah are shown below) which was designed by Andrzej Omasta has the actual dimensions of 13 x 3 cm. Additional mezuzahs can be purchased by the OCRP's tour participants at a cost of $50 each (for up to four mezuzahs), $45 each (for 5 to 9) and $40 each (for 10 and above). This introductory offer is available to the tour participants only. Please place your orders when registering for the tour. Non-participants in the tour will be able to place orders for the mezuzahs directly with Andrzej Omasta at: artsilv@poczta.onet.pl, however the priority will be given to those participating in the OCRP tour. The prices for non-participants will be higher than those posted above, due primarily to the additional cost of shipping and handling.

By modifying the tour itinerary, in particular, by moving our hotel base from Sandomierz to Kazimierz and, most importantly, by arranging a special group rate for the entire tour, using a friendly travel agency in Warsaw, we were able to significantly lower the overall cost of the tour as compared to the estimate originally posted on our website. The present estimate of the average hotel cost outside of Warsaw is about $50/night (including tax) per person, based on the double occupacy. For participants travelling alone, the cost will be somewhat higher (the single person supplement is ca $15/night). As far as the hotel in Warsaw is concerned we strongly recommend, based on the price of the hotel and the proximity to the Jewish center (the synagogue and the kahal), the Mercure Fryderyk Chopin hotel (telephone # from the USA/Canada: 011-48-22-620 0201, fax: 011-48-22-620 8779) offering a preferential weekend group rate for the OCRP tour participants in the amount of $95, $110 and $150 per night for a single room, a double room and a suite, respectively. The latter one consists of two rooms and can accomodate up to three people. You will be resposible for making your own reservation with the hotel (your reservation will be guarantied with your own credit card). Please make reference to the OCRP tour when making your reservation. The cancellation policy stipulates a "no cost" cancellation for up to 21 days prior to arrival and a full "first night" payment thereafter. The latter penalty applies also to the "no shows". Since the tour starts and ends in Warsaw on two consecutive Sundays (October 14 and 21), you will have to make reservation for those two days. Those arriving in Warsaw earlier than Sunday, October 14 are eligible for the preferential weekend rates at the Mercure also on Friday and Saturday (October 12 and 13). Please note that the preferential rates offered by the Mercure on the weekdays (Monday through Thursday) are somewhat higher, namely $140 and $155 for a single and a double room, respectively (the latter rates represent a 25% discount as compared to the regular rates on the weekdays).

For purposes of estimating total costs in Poland for the 8 day tour, use $950 US each for two participants rooming together, and $1150 each, for single participants (this includes two nights in Warsaw at the Mercure). Since certain expenses are equally shared by all the tour participants (e.g., the costs of the guide, the bus and the driver), this estimate is strongly dependent on the number of people participating in the tour. Not included in these estimates are: travel to and from Poland and personal expenses, for example, transportation to and from airports and other transportation to meet up with the tour, meals outside of the tour plan, telephone, etc.

We have found that the lowest airfare (including airport taxes) during the month of October for the round-trip from Toronto to Warsaw is only CAD $655.00 = USD $425.00 (with LOT Polish Airlines). Similarly priced flights from the New York City to Warsaw are being offered by Sabena (Belgian Airlines).

Please note that while the U.S. citizens are allowed to travel to Poland without a Polish visa, Canadians must obtain Polish visa prior to travel to Poland (the cost of the Polish visa in Canada is CAD $89.00). The citizens of other countries - please inquire with the local Polish Embassy/Consulate whether a Polish visa is required.

To secure your place with the tour, an initial deposit is required of $250 US, paid no later than Wednesday, August 8th. Those registering late will be accepted only if there is still space available. Please make out your deposit check to "Norman L. Weinberg". On the front face of the check in the memo line, write, "OCRP TOUR". These deposits will be held in a separate account.

If you cancel before Friday August 31st, your deposit will be fully refunded. After August 31st you will forfeit your deposit.

By Sept.1st a second deposit will be required. The amount of this second deposit, yet to be determined, will cover the balance of your share of the estimated tour costs (including a commemorative mezuzah), hotels and meals (i.e., all the costs except for the hotel cost in Warsaw which will have to be arranged and paid individually by each participant, albeit at the preferential group rates negotiated with the Mercure). The total must be paid IN FULL, and is non-refundable after that date. There will be a substantial extra charge for late payment of the second deposit. The travel agency we are using in Poland requires a substantial downpayment, which is due at the beginning of September, and therefore no exceptions to this rule will be made.

We will accept a limited number of participants who wish to do a partial tour with us, with preference going to those who plan to go on the full tour. In this case we will need to know well in advance the details of your itinerary, so that we can estimate your costs. The initial deposit of $250 is still required by August 8. If we are overbooked on partial tours, your deposit will be refunded in full.

If you are unwilling or unable to decide on joining the tour by August 8, you are certainly free to make your own arrangements for hotels, transportation, food, etc. Of course, you will be more than welcome to attend the Dedication Ceremony in Ozarow.

Along with your first deposit, please send me your name, contact information (mailing address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address); if you are sharing a room (include name and contact information of other person); and, special meal requirements (for example, strictly kosher or vegetarian - we will try to accommodate your needs as much as possible).

We would much appreciate additional information that would be useful to the OCRP and of interest to the tour group. Please send me a brief note on why you are participating in this event; your family connections, if any, to Ozarow; places you would also like to visit on the tour that are not mentioned in the itinerary; possible interest in family genealogy; and any other information that you would care to share with us.

The OCRP is NOT a travel agency. We are performing the organizational work for the tour simply as a convenience for our participants.

You are responsible for your own travel, health and accident insurance costs. The OCRP is not responsible for situations beyond its control, such as cancellations due to strikes, bad weather, closing of certain sites to visitors, etc. The OCRP will do whatever it believes is reasonably possible to help ameliorate such situations.