Becoming American:
The Jewish Experience
with Professors Marty Shichtman and Jeff Bernstein
New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. | May 19 - 25, 2016
Like most immigrant groups, Jews came to the United States poor, seeking refuge from terrible situations. As a whole, they have
flourished here. And yet, even in their success, a certain flavor of the immigrant experience persists. For a group that has basically “made it,” why do Jews continue to vote as if they have not? For a group that is at home in the highest echelons of society,
why do Jews continue to feel as if anti-Semitism remains a factor holding them back? Why do Jews continue to struggle with the
question of when, and whether, they belong? Our trip will take us to locations central to Jewish-American identity, and we will
meet with cultural and political leaders responsible for both maintaining and re-imagining that identity. By exploring the Jewish
journey in American life, we hope to better understand what it means to “become American.”
Itinerary
Meal Inclusions: R=Reception, D=Dinner
Lecture/Discussion #4 at hotel: “The Jewish Tradition of
Praying for the Host Country” (Jeff)
Before We Travel
Monday, May 23
We will schedule a night in which we get together and watch
the movie Hester Street, to be followed by a discussion of the
film.
Thursday, May 19 (D, R)
Flight from Detroit Metro to New York LaGuardia
Visit Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Lecture/Discussion #1 on Ellis Island:
“God Bless America” (Marty)
Return to hotel to freshen up
Dinner and Welcome Reception at Sardi’s
Friday, May 20
Lecture/Discussion #2: “Perspectives on Jewish Immigration,
from Alan Dershowitz to Phillip Roth” (Jeff and Marty)
Tours of the Tenement Museum & Eldridge Street Synagogue
Meetings with Jewish political and/or communal leaders
Dinner and evening on your own
Saturday, May 21
Tour 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Lecture/Discussion #3 at hotel: “9/11: Terrorism Comes
Home” (Jeff and Marty)
Dinner and evening on your own
Sunday, May 22 (D)
Motor coach transportation to Philadelphia
Tour National Museum of American Jewish History, with
side-trip to Liberty Bell
Tour of Jewish Philadelphia
Group dinner
Motor coach transportation to Washington D.C.
Walking tour of Memorials in the Tidal Basin region (e.g. MLK,
FDR, George Mason, Jefferson)
Meetings with Jewish political and communal leaders
Dinner on your own
Evening excursion to see the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial at night
Return to hotel for Lecture/Discussion #5, and for Bedtime
Stories with Marty and Jeff: “FDR, MLK, and the 20th
Century Jewish-American Experience” (Jeff and Marty)
Tuesday, May 24 (R)
Tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Presentation by Holocaust Survivor
Lecture/Discussion #6 at Holocaust Museum: “America and the
Holocaust” (Marty)
Meetings with Jewish political and communal leaders
Dinner on your own
Evening reception at Old Ebbitt Grill – sponsored by Eastern
Michigan University Alumni Association
Wednesday, May 25
Optional early morning walking tour of memorials (e.g. WWII,
Korea, Vietnam, Lincoln)
Return to hotel for Lecture/Discussion #7: “As the Old Saying
Goes: Why Do Jews ‘Earn Like Episcopalians and Vote Like
Puerto Ricans?’” (Jeff)
Meetings with Jewish political and communal leaders
Depart for airport for flight back to Detroit Metro Airport
Faculty Lecturers/Hosts
Professors Marty Shichtman and Jeff Bernstein—the Frick and
Frack of EMU Jewish Studies—have been at EMU for a long time;
Shichtman since 1984, Bernstein since 1997. Award-winning
faculty members, they have been friends and collaborators for
years, creating classes and building programs.
Jeffrey L. Bernstein is Professor of Political
Science, Interim Director of the Master of
Public Administration Program, and Affiliated
Faculty in Jewish Studies at Eastern Michigan
University. His areas of interest include public
opinion, campaigns and elections, and the
scholarship of teaching and learning. Bernstein
is editor and contributing author of Citizenship
Across the Curriculum (Indiana University Press, 2010), as well as
over twenty journal articles and book chapters. He regularly
teaches and lectures on Jewish political behavior in the United
States. In the last year, Bernstein has won the Alumni Association
Teaching Excellence Award, the Honors College Faculty of the
Year Award, and the William Fennel Faculty Mentor Award.
Dr. Martin B. Shichtman is Director of Jewish
Studies and Professor of English Language
and Literature at Eastern Michigan University.
He has been a fellow at the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum and at Brandeis
University’s Schusterman Institute for Israel
Studies. He received of a Mellon Partnership
grant with Smith College for Jewish Studies
programming, has directed several National Endowment for
the Humanities Summer Seminars for School Teachers, and an
NEH Focus Grant, teaming teachers from EMU with teachers
from Detroit’s Mumford High School. For five years he directed
a summer seminar for school teachers at the Holocaust
Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus in Farmington Hills.
Dr. Shichtman has authored two books, edited two collections,
and published thirty-five scholarly articles. He has presented
more than 100 papers at international, national, and regional
conferences. He is the recipient of EMU’s Distinguished Faculty
Award for Teaching and the Eastern Michigan University
Alumni Association Award for Teaching Excellence.
Tour Pricing
Per person. Does not include airfare.
Double Occupancy: $2,299 | Single Occupancy: $3,219
Trip Inclusions:
• Lectures/Discussions with faculty Marty Shichtman and
Jeff Bernstein
• Six nights’ first-class hotel accommodations in New York
(3 nights), Philadelphia (1 night), and D.C. (2 nights)
• Welcome reception and dinner at Sardi’s
• Alumni Reception in Washington D.C.
• Tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary
Not Included:
Airfare; airport transfers; items of a personal nature; travel
insurance; meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
Accommodations
New York Marriott Downtown
Located in the World Trade
Center, your hotel is only steps
from some of the city's important
landmarks, including the 9/11
Memorial and Museum, World
Trade Center and Wall Street.
Grab a cup of coffee at
Starbucks in the comfortable yet elegant lobby, or fuel up at
Bill's Bar and Burger open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Other amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center with
Matrix equipment and complimentary WiFi in the lobby and
public areas. Room amenities include iron/ironing board, hair
dryer, safe, coffee/tea maker, and mini-refrigerator.
Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District
The hotel is situated in the desirable and celebrated neighborhood of Old City Philadelphia.
Located one block from Market
Street, and a five-minute walk to
many of the city’s iconic American
Revolution landmarks – including Independence Hall and the
Liberty Bell, this spacious hotel in Philly is a top choice for
business and leisure travel. Take advantage of the seasonal
rooftop pool, fitness room and onsite dining at Coin’s Pub and
Grill, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room amenities
include iron/ironing board, hair dryer, coffee maker, and
complimentary WiFi.
Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Washington D.C.
A true architectural gem,
Washington D.C.’s Hamilton Hotel
is a AAA 4-diamond luxury property. It is proudly present on the
National Register of Historic
Places, and is a member of the
prestigious Historic Hotels of
America. Designed by French-born architect Jules-Henrí de
Sibour, the Hamilton was completed in 1922. Blending elements of the Beaux Arts and Art Deco styles, the impressive
façade and beautiful lines evoke classic European builds, but
with a distinctly American presence. Just as stunning inside as it
is out, the structure stands as an impressive testament to industrial age ingenuity. Located right in the heart of Washington
D.C., the Hamilton is just minutes from all the best our nation’s
capital has to offer. The Smithsonian, the White House, the
National Mall and countless other cultural and historical monuments are within walking distance of the front door. Onsite
dining options include 14K Restaurant and Lounge offering
daily breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as a
Starbucks. WiFi is available in public areas and guest rooms
and is included in your stay. Room amenities include plush
seven-layer bedding, luxurious bath amenities, hair dryer,
coffee/tea maker, iron/ironing board and more.
ASSOCIATION DISCLAIMER
Eastern Michigan University and the Office for Alumni Relations is not
the Tour Operator. Neither Eastern Michigan University nor the Office
for Alumni Relations is responsible for changes of flight times, fare
changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or car-rental reservations, delays,
losses, injuries, inconveniences, cessation of operations, airline or tour
operator bankruptcies, acts of God, or any event beyond our control. Eastern Michigan University and the Office for Alumni Relations
act only as an independent contractor and not as a principal, agent or
joint venture for the airline, hotel, car-rental company, cruise line
and/or tour operator named in brochure. As a result, Eastern Michigan
University and the Office for Alumni Relations are not responsible for
their acts or omissions. Eastern Michigan University and the Office for
Alumni Relations act only as agent for the participants with respect to
travel services, and it shall not be responsible for changes of flight
times, fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or other reservations,
injury, damage, loss of baggage, accidents or for the acts or defaults
of any person or entity engaged in conveying participants or in carrying out other arrangements of the tour. Further, Eastern Michigan
University and the Office for Alumni Relations shall not be responsible
for losses or additional expenses of the participant due to sickness,
weather, strike, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, quarantine, acts of God,
or other causes beyond its control. Eastern Michigan University and
the Office for Alumni Relations shall not be responsible for alteration in
the itinerary as deemed necessary for carrying out the tour and the
right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar quality. The right is further reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure, in which case the
entire payment may be refunded without further obligation on its part.
The right is also reserved to decline to accept or to retain any person
as a member of the tour should such person's health, actions, or general deportment impede the operation of the tour or the rights or welfare of the other participants. No refund will be made for the unused
portion of any tour. Applicants for participation on this tour accept in
full all of the conditions set forth above.
CONLIN TRAVEL TERMS & CONDITIONS
CANCELLATIONS: Individual cancellations must be made in writing
to Conlin Travel. All cancellations for any reason whatsoever will be
subject to a $150 per person cancellation fee. Cancellations from
90-61 days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to
50% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received
within 60 days prior to departure will result in forfeiture of 100% of
the published tour cost.
INSURANCE: Comprehensive cancellation, personal and baggage
insurance is strongly recommended. For information on insurance
through EMU, please call (734) 487-0250 for more information.
RESPONSIBILITY: Conlin Travel, Inc. acts only as a booking agent
for the the travel conveyance, transport, accommodation or other
service and has no responsibility in whole or in part for any delays,
delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections,
cancellations, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, war, terrorism, quarantine, criminal activity, accident, sickness, death, injury (physical, mental or emotional) to
person or property, or mechanical defect, failure or negligence of any
nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommoda- tions,
restaurant, transportation or other services or for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment, with or without notice,
or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather,
flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to
spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel,
transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused
portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations.
Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The right is reserved to
decline to accept or retain any person as a member of this tour at
any time. By forwarding the deposit, the passenger certifies that
he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for himself/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. Passengers requiring
extraordinary assistance must be accompanied by someone who
can and will be totally responsible for providing all required assistance. No revisions of the printed itinerary or its included features are
anticipated; however, the right is reserved to make any changes,
with or without notice, that might become necessary, with the mutual
understanding that any additional expenses will be paid by the individual passenger. Minimum participation is required in order for tour
to run as published. Conlin Travel, Inc. reserves the right to increase
the tour price in the event of cost increases due to currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges and and/or below-minimum tour participation,
and all such increases are to be paid by the tour participant upon
notice of such increases. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances. Prices quoted are based on fares in effect at the time of
printing and are subject to change prior to departure. Upon payment
of a deposit, tour participants indicate acceptance of the above terms
and conditions. CST# 1012274-10. Washington Seller of Travel No.
602-431-730. Florida Seller of Travel # ST-36744. Others on file.
Reservation Form
Becoming American • May 19 - 25, 2016
(Please print all information. No P.O. Boxes please.)
Legal name(s) (as it appears on government issued photo ID)
(1)
Title
First
Middle
Name on badge:
DOB:
(2)
Last
First
Last
________________________________________________________________
Title
First
Middle
Last
Name on badge:
DOB:
First
Last
Address:
City:
State:
Phone: (Home)
ZIP:
(Cell)
E-mail:
Emergency contact name/phone#:
Are you an EMU Alumni? Yes  No.
If yes, name if different than above?:
Are you celebrating a special occasion during this trip?:
Special dietary and/or accessibility requirements?:
If traveling with someone not on this request form, please indicate name(s) here:
TOUR OPTIONS
# OF PERSONS
COST/PERSON
Double Occupancy
$2,299
Single Occupancy (limited)
$3,219
TOTAL $
$309
Optional Group Air & Transfer
(Round trip Detroit/LaGuardia)
GRAND TOTAL $
 I/we prefer two beds (cannot be guaranteed)
Enclosed is my deposit of $
($500 per person required).
Accept my check made payable to Conlin Travel.
Charge my deposit to
 MasterCard
Card #:
 VISA
 American Express
Expires:
Name as it appears on credit card
Authorized Signature
Reservations are on a first come, first served basis and are subject to availability.
Reservations will close December 31, 2015. Final payment is due February 1, 2016.
Note: Tour requires minimum participation.
 I/we have read all Terms & Conditions and do accept and agree to their provisions.
Authorized Signature:
Mail a COPY of your completed form to:
EMU NY, Philly & DC Tour
3270 Washtenaw Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Or fax your form to: (734) 677-1428
For more information, please call Sharon
Derrig at Conlin Travel at (888) 426-6546
or email sderrig@conlintravel.com.