Yochanan Gordon
Just a couple of weeks ago on a sunny Shabbos afternoon I looked up at the sky and noticed a fleet of birds heading south. While at that moment in time I felt perfectly comfortable with the weather still in the high 60’s to the low 70’s it seems that the birds begin to anticipate the frost of winter well before it actually arrives. Now, as we make our way into the month of November and then December we will wakeup day in and day out to a sheet of frost, perhaps even a little snow covering our car mirrors and windshields at which point we wish that we could follow the seniors to their condos down south.
While most of us cannot getaway for the entire winter season the good news is that for the week or so that we could getaway – Kosherica is going to the Caribbean. In order to accommodate all of our disparate schedules Kosherica is embarking on a total of five cruises, four of which leave on different dates, beginning with 12/26/10 (which is nearly sold out), then on 1/16/11, 1/23/11 (one Norwegian and one with Celebrity Solstice) and finally an all new cruise on the 25th of February 2011.
The Kosherica family has been committed to excellence, setting new standards in both cruise and on-land getaways for over a decade and a half. Anyone who has traveled during that time with Kosherica is hard pressed to pinpoint exactly what about the overall experience they enjoyed most. It is their constant attention to the details and their consideration to the thoughts and suggestions of their clientele that continues to bolster and solidify their stellar reputation until this very day.
In an interview with Offy Shifman one of the founders of the Kosherica Company, Mr. Shifman said that Kosherica creates each and every cruise vacation with their customers in mind. While most people would be satisfied with the basic amenities found aboard any of the world-class cruise liners, there are some who join to partake specifically in the intellectually stimulating lectures, symposiums and workshops, or to enjoy a series of shiurim from world renowned lecturers and orators in a laidback environment. It is precisely for this reason that Kosherica goes to great lengths in inviting new and exciting personalities on each and every getaway.
On that note, Offy was excited to inform me that they have just reached a deal with Alan Dershowitz who will join the January 16th cruise to the Caribbean. Alan Dershowitz is an American lawyer, jurist, political commentator and Mid East Analyst. He is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Dershowitz is known for his career as an attorney in several high profile cases and as a commentator on the Arab Israeli conflict. He has spent most of his career at Harvard University, where at the age of 28, he became the youngest full professor of law in its history.
It is precisely Alan Dershowitz’s expertise in the Arab-Israeli conflict that Kosherica has commissioned him to this coming Januarys cruise. At a period in time where this conflict is as heated as it ever has been and with anti Israel sentiments being broadcast and printed just about wherever we turn, Dershowitz is sure to shed some keen commentary and profound insights and most importantly, truth behind this dizzying dispute. Also joining Dershowitz as a scholar in residence is Rabbi Levi Shemtov of Washington DC. Rabbi Shemtov has acted as a liaison of sorts carrying Jewish awareness to the White House. In fact it is Rabbi Shemtov who is responsible for the famous Chanukah Menorah lighting on Capitol Hill each and every year.
In addition, the 1/16/10 cruise is Koshericas all famous Jewish Music festival at sea featuring the Jewish Worlds most exciting entertainers such as Avraham Fried, Dudu Fisher, Lipa Schmeltzer, Cantors Chaim Adler, Ben Zion Miller father and son Naftali and Netanel Hershtik, Yaakov Motzen, Yaakov Stark and so much more. If you are an amateur singer looking to make inroads for yourself into the industry, ‘The next Kosherica Idol competition is your opportunity to be heard by the most talented vocalists and musicians of our time.
Coinciding with the Yeshiva mid-winter break, Koshericas Eastern Caribbean seven night cruise embarks on January 23, 2011. The entertainment for this cruise features Cantors Yitzchak Meir Helfgot and Shlomo Simcha along with world renowned cantorial accompanist Daniel Gildar. Unique to this Yeshiva break cruise, for a limited time only, is a starting rate of $1299.00 as well as no charge for the 3rd and 4th child cruisers. In addition the Norwegian Cruise-line Kid’s Crew has a program of activities to keep the little ones occupied; places to go and kids to meet. It’s like recess, only longer. Sleep-away camp, only better. Your children won’t get homesick, but they also won’t get underfoot. You can enjoy a massage while they’re on a treasure hunt. Play roulette while they’re camping out, or head for the Chocoholic Buffet while they’re having a pillow fight at a pajama party.
Every minute they spend in Kid’s Crew is carefully supervised by a staff of youth counselors from leading universities and organizations. Prior to coming aboard, they attend a special training course on team and confidence building, communication skills, safety and working with children who have special needs. Together they’ve come up with an impressive bag of tricks for your kids.
There are circuses, crafts, parades, sports, games, stories, parties as well as Camp-outs with flashlights and tents. There is T-shirt painting, face painting, treasure hunts and sand castle competitions on our private island. And even shore excursions designed just for families. Of course we promise we’ll give them plenty of time to spend with you, too. Shoot some hoops at the basketball court. Take them to the magic show. Let junior beat you at table tennis. (Or maybe try hard not to.)
Take the whole gang bowling at our three-lane bowling alley at sea. Play a game of pick up on the sports deck. Play Wii™ on a two-storey screen or a video game in the arcade room. Scale the huge rock climbing wall even play a game of darts, pool or foosball. There’s always something going on for the entire family to enjoy and with this much to do, they’ll be begging for another hour before bed.
Leaving also on the 23rd of January is a cruise featuring Scholar-in-residence Rabbi Eliezer Shusterman of Share Torah Congregation of Pittsburgh, PA. Rabbi Shusterman is a dynamic speaker who engages audiences of all ages and backgrounds speaking on topics from Tefila, to Jewish Mysticism as well as Judaism for beginners. This year Kosherica has decided to extend its winter cruise season, adding another cruise on December 25th to the Eastern Caribbean region on the Holland America Cruise Line. As do all the others, this cruise lasts seven nights and will make ports of call in some of the most exciting destinations such as, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Antilles and the Bahamas.
Truth be told, it’s been a very long Yom Tov season and it seems that a brutally cold winter is lying just ahead of us. We all, kids and adults alike, deserve to get away and there is no getaway fitting for both adult and child as a Kosherica mid-winter cruise. Pick up the phone and call today 877 Sail Kosher or visit them on the web at www.kosherica.com to reserve your space today. If you have cruised before and you think you know what to expect, Kosherica has added many features to catch you off guard and if this is your first cruise with Kosherica be prepared for this to be the first of many.
Ur family down under 🙂
bring on 8th day or Benny Friedman, and i’ll go. love Shemtov, he brings a “shem tov” for lubavitch in the Capitol.
They say “maritime Kosher.” I have never heard of that hashgocho though. Do some research…
GO YOCHANAN!!!
see ya shabbos.
He should come with his brother from Uruguay, they would make an excellent duo.
There is no mention of the Kashrus agency that gives their Hashgocho on these cruises. Who gives the Hashgocho?