Are the airlines charging too many extra fees?

Anyone that has flown recently has noticed that extra fees are piling up from the airlines. Whether it's a fee for an extra piece of luggage, a pillow, a headset or a meal, almost every major airline is nickel-and-diming its customers. How do you feel about these extra charges? Head over to the New York Times to see people's reactions.

Cruising in Europe

Unfortunately for Europe and the rest of the world, the old continent is undergoing a financial crisis similar to the recent recession in the United States. For Americans, this is good news on a personal level, as the dollar has never been stronger against the Euro and other currencies. Now is the perfect time to book a kosher cruise to the Mediterranean or Northern Europe. Although the general economy is down, the cruise industry is still thriving. The cruise passenger capacity for 2012 for ships sailing in Europe is approximately 5.7 million, up 5 percent from 5.4 million in 2011, compared to a 9 percent increase from 2010 to 2011.

Whether it's a kosher cruise to the beautiful Greek Islands, an historic journey to Stockholm, St. Petersberg and Copenhagen, or a cruise along the French Riviera, it's an affordable and fun option for individuals, couples and families. Our customers love the fresh kosher food available on each cruise as well.

Check out the different choices today!

Dr. Mendy Ganchrow named a Scholar in Residence

We're happy to have the famed Dr. Mendy Ganchrow as our scholar in residence on the Baltics and Russia kosher cruise, departing July 31! A little about Dr. Ganchrow:

Mendy Ganchrow, M.D. is a retired colo-rectal surgeon, served as president of the Orthodox Union from 1994 through 2000. He served as chairman of the board until 2002. The Orthodox Union is the world's largest Orthodox Synagogue group and consists of over 1000 synagogues.

In 1968, while serving as an army combat surgeon in Vietnam, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and promoted to major. Upon the death of a Jewish chaplain, in light of his education at Yeshiva University and Orthodox upbringing, he was pleased to volunteer to serve as acting Jewish chaplain.

Civilian life lead him to a surgical practice in Rockland County, NY. As his practice grew, he simultaneously became deeply involved in the community. He served as president of his synagogue and local day school among his many different communal responsibilities.

In 1962, he organized the Hudson Valley Political Action Committee, which for a time was the largest local pro-Israel PAC in the US. He served as its president for 21 years.

During this time, he was extremely active in AIPAC on behalf of a strong US-Israel relationship.

He is former Chief of Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern NY. He was a clinical associate professor of surgery and wrote 19 surgical papers. He has served on many boards and commissions.

In addition to his 3 books, he has written numerous Op-Eds on political, religious and general themes. His Op-Eds have been published in many newspapers. A few samples are reprinted at the conclusion of his latest book, "Journey through the Minefields." His newest book COMING OF AGE-VESHINANTEM LEVANECHA-VEDIBARTA BAM an anthology of Torah thoughts for Bar-Bas Mitzvah will be published March 2012.

Mendy is a well known public speaker and scholar-in-residence at synagogues throughout the US, Canada and other countries.

Book today!

The cruise of a lifetime

Join Kosherica this winter on the cruise of a lifetime! See a good portion of the world on our Panama Canal cruise - departing from San Diego, California, one of our most popular kosher cruises heads all the way down Mexico through Central America.

One of the highlights is the intricate crossing of the Panama Canal, where the beautiful ms Statendam will be raised through a series of locks up to the world's most famous canal. From there, we'll cross the entire continent and emerge in the beautiful Caribbean Sea and continue up the coast, eventually ending up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This epic journey will be shared among your family and friends for a lifetime - the cruise sells out every year so book today!