If You're Going to Italy, Go to Venice

Venice is a city synonymous with love and beauty. Millions of people discover or rediscover its romance every year. And cruise ships are no strangers to its bustling port.

The incredible architecture of the city seems to float on the surface of the canals. It is ancient and has been an important and powerful city since its founding. As a crossroads between the Byzantine and Roman worlds, Venice developed a unique culture and style that remains visible today.

The Jewish community in Venice began as a collection of refugees. Jews from Germany and Central Europe created the Ashkenasi community, Spanish and Portuguese refugees the Sephardim, and the Levantines came in from Constantinople. Many became money lenders helping to finance the Palazzos and acting as a vital cog in the city's booming economy.

Venice was home to the world's first Jewish ghetto, established in 1516. The word ghetto is derived from the Italian word getto (foundry). The ghetto is located on an island, separated from the rest of the city per Pope Paul IV's strict segregation rules. Two large gates closed off the area after curfew and the hinges of those gates are still visible. The ghetto residents were marked by yellow rounds on their chest or yellow hats.

Despite impossible to assimilate conditions the Jewish community thrived becoming both wealthy and highly educated. Many important figures emerged including doctors responsible for treating royalty, Kabbalists, Talmudists, Gnostics, Alchemists, politicians and poets.

At last count there were approximately 500 Jews living in Venice, only a few of whom continue to live in the Ghetto. Musea Ebraica (Jewish Museum) has an extensive collection of Judaica objects from intricately carved silver. The entrance includes a visit several synagogues counted among the most beautiful in Northern Italy.

For anyone planning a tour of Italy, Venice is a stop not to be missed.

Jewish History in the South of France

France has been a sometimes haven for Jewish refuges since the days of the Roman Empire. Life in the region has been a mixture of struggle, perseverance and adherence to belief. Added together these elements have created a fascinating history.

Israelites arrived following the destruction of the Temple of Herod and the conquest of Jerusalem. The tragedy at Massada occurred in the same time period forcing a Jewish diaspora throughout the Mediterranean. The South of France became one of the main areas of refuge. Most of the exiles were merchants, slave-dealers, tax collectors and physicians. And most lived in the Phoenician Marseilles area. During the Middle Ages, Jews in the region were expelled and allowed to return on several occasions. In 1384, 100,000 Jews living in the South of France were forced to relocate, most ended up in German speaking areas.

Instability did not hinder prosperity. The 11th century was a time of intellectual and cultural awakening for Franco-Jewish thinkers and artists. Iiturgical poetry, interpretations of the Bible and Talmud commentaries came to light. Including the daring and depth of Ashkenazi genius Rabbi Rashi. It was the start of a scholastic tradition that established the area as a center of Jewish learning.

The first exile was not the only exile. The Jewish population in Southern France grew with the expulsion of all Jews from Spain and exiles from Eastern Europe, Tunasia, Algeria and Morocco.

The Jewish communities in the region have produced intellectual, financial and artistic luminaries like Rashi, James Mayer de Rothschild, Sarah Bernhardt and many more. Today France has the 3rd largest Jewish population in the world behind only Israel and the United States. Most live in Toulouse, Marseilles, Lyon and Paris.

The natural beauty in the South of France is legendary and nestled within that beauty you will find ancient synagogues, museums depicting Jewish life and some of the best kosher restaurants anywhere. It is the perfect destination for a Kosher tour!

Jewish Ghetto in Rome. A Story of Tragedy and Triumph.

Rome is one of the great cities of the ancient world.

Rome is one of the great cities of the modern world.

You know the names; Pantheon, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Sistine Chapel. You should see them. You should take pictures and enjoy the experience. You should also go past them into the ghetto.

The Jewish ghetto, first established in 1555, has been the site of deplorable persecution and awe inspiring resilience. All Jews from the poor to the wealthy and influential were forced to live within its walls. Most were poor and all were forbidden to practice medicine. The living conditions were subhuman and if that weren't degrading enough residents were required to wear yellow hats or yellow stripes to identify their marked status. The curfew was dusk at which point the entire community was locked in behind three massive gates. Not even faith was left untarnished. Residents were forced to attend Catholic services on the Sabbath. During the Black Plague the community lost almost a quarter of its population. The list of abuses and tragedies goes on and on. But, so do the tales of perseverance and community strength no matter how daunting the obstacles.

Most of the Old Ghetto was torn down in the 19th century, however, many old stores, museums and interesting relics remain to give you a glimpse at the heartbreaking history of the Jewish people in Rome.

Thankfully attitudes have changed in modern years. Today the neighborhood is one of the most charming and vibrant areas in Rome. The streets have been widened and lined with great Kosher restaurants, Jewish owned shops, and a beautiful synagogue that has a trying history of its own. The neighborhood is small enough that you can easily cover it on foot.

Cruise the Mediterranean in luxury. Enjoy every part of Rome from the ancient to the modern. But, take a few moments longer to appreciate this tiny neighborhood that has survived so much and gotten so much better with age.

Rembrandt: From the Jewish Quarter to the Grand Palace

The Jewish Hermitage museum is housed in one of the finest architectural sites in Russia: the grand palace. Walking through the opulent halls and decadent rooms of the palace is a magical and humbling experience. And that is before you notice the world-class art hanging on the walls.

The palace collection was started by Peter the Great an enthusiastic but unfocused collector. The true champion was Catherine the Great (Catherine II). She commissioned the construction of the palace and began buying art on a large scale. She acquired the Gotzkowsky Collection in 1763 and followed that with the addition of more than 2000 works of art; many of which came from the greatest artists to ever hold a brush--Rembrandt among them.

The Rembrandt collection consists of forty-three paintings. That number, however, is up for scholarly debate. There are some who believe that certain examples, although beyond capable, are the work of his dutiful students. Whatever the true number, Rembrandt's gift as a master storyteller is evident. And it is clear from his body of work that he drew inspiration from Jewish people and Jewish traditions.

Rembrandt was known to select his models from the Jewish population of Amsterdam. One such model can be seen in the painting above. An immortal work called "The Jewish Bride." And you can see scenes depicting the Old Testament in "The Sacrifice of Abraham", "The Blinding of Samson," and "David and Uriah" amongst many others.

On an interesting biographical note, Rembrandt and his wife chose to rent a spacious home in what was then Amsterdam's up and coming Jewish Quarter. He brilliantly incorporated real life observations into his biblical subject matter. He used what he saw in the movements and gestures of Amsterdam's Jewish population to bring a spark of life to his depictions of sacred stories.

Seeing his genius in person is indescribable. He opens a window into our past. He allows us to see our ancestors and to feel their love, struggle, will and hope.

We visit the Grand Palace and the Jewish Hermitage every time we schedule a kosher cruise through The Baltics. We hope that next time, you'll join us!

Dreaming of Europe. Dreaming of the High Seas.

There is nothing better than positive customer feedback. A comment on Facebook, a quick email, photos from your kosher cruise; no matter what the format we love to hear about your experiences. Every so often we get an email or a letter that just makes our day, week, month. Like this recent gem:

"I had always dreamed of sailing off to Europe. With limited time a cruise that visited multiple countries seemed like the perfect choice; luxury combined with shore excursions to the canals of Venice, the ruins of Rome, the grand museums of Spain, Portugal and France; not to mention the warm Mediterranean sun! 

But, admittedly I am not an easy traveler. I was particularly concerned about finding good Kosher fare. I am very cautious about my diet and being a modern orthodox, I stick to Glatt Kosher only. I've taken too many flights that served inedible Kosher meals and I couldn't stomach the idea of being stuck at sea with that kind of food.

And then an answer came in the mail. The pamphlet was from a company called Kosherica and it showed people laughing and smiling and enjoying generous portions of exquisite food. I was thrilled to discover that the food was Glatt kosher, even 'Chalav Yisrael' and supervised by Rabbis!  

That was all the information I needed to sign-up. A life-long dream come true.

The cruise was all I could have hoped for. I felt like a queen! The meals were amazing and often had a Mediterranean flavor. The wide variety of kosher food was paired with excellent kosher wine from Isreal, which as I learned on board, is starting to compete with best vintages coming out of France and Napa Valley.

Off ship we visited ancient synagogues and historic Jewish cemeteries. I felt a new connection to our past and the history of our people. On the days we stayed on the ship we were treated to a choice of religious studies with well-known and clearly brilliant Rabbis.

Being a bit of a picky eater I was especially excited about the Jewish cooking lessons. And of course I spent plenty of time lounging by the pool and luxuriating in the spa.

I made countless new friends and enjoyed every minute of the entertainment. I can honestly say this was the best travel experience I've ever had.

Thanks Kosherica!!"

Kosherica's PGA Passover was an Entertainment Extravaganza!

Our recent Passover vacation at PGA was a runaway success with stellar entertainment. The wide variety of acts included, fire acts, wild life shows, magicians, ventriloquists, comedians, casinos, musicians and so much more!

The across-the-board skill was so inspiring. I was particularly impressed by Edon from America's Got Talent. At only 14 his future is ultra bright. If you ask me he puts Justin Bieber to shame. The crowd was on their feet, mesmerized by his voice and passion. My favorite songs were the original renditions of Elton John songs.

Ventriloquist and America's Got Talent favorite John Pizzi was also a big hit. His set was both funny and edgy.

And I have to mention Fire and Ice Night. It was so great! I'm going to skip trying to put it into words. Take a look at the clip below and imagine yourself sitting close enough to feel the flames!

Splendid Eats at PGA Passover

The food! The food! The food!

Another amazing PGA Passover is behind us. The event was brought together by Kosherica, Leisure Time and Foremost Caterers. The buffets were gorgeous, pure sensory overload, filled with seemingly endless platters of fresh fruit, vegetables and salads. True indulgence and that was just breakfast and lunch!


The dinners were just...wow. There were entrees to fit every palate; meat, chicken, fish and vegetarian. The portions were huge even by cruise standards. Every meal was an event in itself. Families gathered together to enjoy the food, the service and the company of new friends. Is there anything better than that?

I suppose if there is a cherry on top of that sundae it's the nightly tea rooms. After the exceptional and bountiful dinners, guests were treated to dessert masterpieces on display in four distinct rooms that were designated as the "tearoom." The smell of chocolate wafted throughout the hotel. Following that delectable smell guests entered the tearoom to find crepe stations, fondue, gelato, cakes and hundreds of chocolates and fruit extravaganzas. The rooms were a perfect mixture of dreamy indulgence and creativity. One evening the tearoom was designed to resemble the tastiest candy, nut and fruit shop you've ever seen. Perfection!

We just experienced another great PGA Passover! The food was majestically  brought together by the excellent partnership of Kosherica, Leisure time and Foremost Caterers.  The buffets were extravagant feasts, elegantly assembled to make your eyes and taste buds water. They were filled with copious amounts of the freshest fruits and vegetables and the salads were incredibly well thought out. Each buffet had action stations that gave new meaning to indulgence. And that was just breakfast and lunch.
The dinners were AMAZING! We were offered entrees for every palate. Meat, chicken, fish, vegetarian. The portions were bountiful and beautifully designed.   Each evening was an event that the whole family waited for. Nothing is as  as satisfying as a delicious meal, great company and incredible service. All elements lined up each night.
The secret surprise was the extravagant nightly tea rooms. Everyone waited with baited anticipation to see the dessert masterpieces that were on display in a 4 rooms that were exclusively designated as the "tearoom". One could smell the Choclate throughout the entire hotel. Each night the tearoom had crepe stations, fondue, gelato, cakes, 100s of varieties of Chocolates and fruit masterpieces. The rooms were  jaw dropping masterpieces. I never saw anything so extravagantly elegant yet wonderfully indulgent...btw. We also had a day tearoom that resembled walking into the yummiest  candy, nut and fruit  shop. It was awesome!
- See more at: http://www.kosherica.com/kosher-cruise-blog/details.asp?a=PGA-Passover-Feasts!-&blogID=13#sthash.cZ2CJkZM.dpuf

We just experienced another great PGA Passover! The food was majestically  brought together by the excellent partnership of Kosherica, Leisure time and Foremost Caterers.  The buffets were extravagant feasts, elegantly assembled to make your eyes and taste buds water. They were filled with copious amounts of the freshest fruits and vegetables and the salads were incredibly well thought out. Each buffet had action stations that gave new meaning to indulgence. And that was just breakfast and lunch.
The dinners were AMAZING! We were offered entrees for every palate. Meat, chicken, fish, vegetarian. The portions were bountiful and beautifully designed.   Each evening was an event that the whole family waited for. Nothing is as  as satisfying as a delicious meal, great company and incredible service. All elements lined up each night.
The secret surprise was the extravagant nightly tea rooms. Everyone waited with baited anticipation to see the dessert masterpieces that were on display in a 4 rooms that were exclusively designated as the "tearoom". One could smell the Choclate throughout the entire hotel. Each night the tearoom had crepe stations, fondue, gelato, cakes, 100s of varieties of Chocolates and fruit masterpieces. The rooms were  jaw dropping masterpieces. I never saw anything so extravagantly elegant yet wonderfully indulgent...btw. We also had a day tearoom that resembled walking into the yummiest  candy, nut and fruit  shop. It was awesome!
- See more at: http://www.kosherica.com/kosher-cruise-blog/details.asp?a=PGA-Passover-Feasts!-&blogID=13#sthash.cZ2CJkZM.dpuf

PGA Program: It's Not Just for Adults

Our recent PGA program was incredible! Since it is not a ride we can restart we'll just have to wait (impatiently) for the non-stop entertainment, stimulating lectures, shiurim and kids programming to return.

My little one loved Kosherica/Leisure day camp. Every morning she pulled at my sleeve begging me to go. The majority of the counselors were young New Yorkers. They gave my daughter about a million hugs and got her excited about the fun games and activities they had planned for her. Each day depending on chol hamoed or Tom tov featured rock climbing, water slides and carnival rides. At 4:30 every day there was a kids show with magicians, animals, clowns and jugglers. It was like a Kosher Disneyland!

This was the first Pesach I felt truly comfortable leaving my child in camp so that I could have a little bit of mommy me time. In my case this meant attending lectures by M. Gary Neuman, Oprah's go to therapist, who discussed how to create better relationships. Additionally, Rabbi Mordechai Shifman proved to be a brilliant rabbinical scholar. He made the most difficult concepts seem easy to grasp. And Professor Mark Shapiro gave a wonderful lecture on Judiac studies. No wonder his classes always have a wait list!

I didn't study the whole time. I also went to my version of Disneyland-esque day camp: the spa! The deep tissue hot stone massage at the 5 star spa was dreamy. Walking from treatment to treatment in a plush robe made my worries melt away.

Bookmark this blog if you haven't already. Next week I will review the wonderful entertainment at the PGA Passover program!

Great Travel Photography Apps

Photo Credit: images.businessweek.com

A close friend of mine spent years travelling the globe in search of that one great picture. In my opinion he captured thousands of pictures worthy of that title--photos that express mood, emotion and richness of culture. But, it took him a long time and left him with a bad back compliments of the heavy equipment he had to lug around.

Luckily we live in the future. Nowadays all you need to capture great travel photos is an adventurous spirit and the right apps!

Camera+ is an app I love. It has fantastic features that allow you to tweak the color and framing of each picture. Plus, you can give your photos a complete style make-over. My personal favorites are toy camera and 70s.

Halftone is another fun app. It allows you transform your pictures into cartoon versions with captions and stock sayings. It's great for a laugh and it's easy to use. Photoshop wizardry is not needed!

What are your favorite photo apps? Post suggestions on our site or Facebook page!

Kosher Cruise to the Baltics!

Photo Credit: traveldk.com

The Baltics have a wealth of Jewish history. On our Baltic Kosher cruise you can soak it all in while reveling in luxury and enjoying exciting entertainment options. The cruise starts on Wednesday, August 14th and ends on August 23rd. Stops include Stockholm, Helsinki and St. Petersburg.

In St. Petersburg you'll have a full two-days to explore the local culture and thriving Jewish community. We will be giving VIP tours of Catherine's Palace, the great Synagogue, the Hermitage, Peterhoff Palace, the main shopping district and incredible canal rides. Over these two days we'll delve into the rich history of St. Petersburg to help give you a deeper understanding of this historic Baltic city.

At every port you will have access to knowledgable tour guides who will take you around to the most important Jewish cultural and historic sites as well as general interest stops.

Natural beauty, deep cultural history, great food and fun entertainment--you'll have to leave when it's over, but you won't want to!

Have you traveled to the Baltics before? What were some of your favorite experiences?

The Magic of Greece on a Jewish Cruise

Photo Credit: travelinstyle.com

Azure seas. Craggy cliffs. White washed buildings with bright blue roofs. A horizon that seems to stretch on forever. The images of the Greek Isles and their Mediterranean splendor are iconic. But, the images do not prepare you for the wonder of sailing into port with a warm breeze on your face and the smell of spices and food in the air. Of all our Jewish cruise destinations few can compare to sensory experience of Greece.

A stop on the island of Kataklon will give you the opportunity to experience Greece at its slow, timeless best. Rent a scooter and visit nearby villages and secluded beaches. Stop for lunch at a quiet cafe atop the cliffs. Venture up the hill to browse the goods sold by the local merchants.

If it's history you are after Greece is full of it, including Jewish history. Athens has a long Jewish history. And the ancient city Dubrovnik is the site of one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. On our last trip we were able to arrange a private Jewish tour guide to give us a tour of the synagogue and fill us in on the history of the synagogue and its place in the local community.

Additionally, this particular cruise sails round-trip from Venice, Italy one of the most unique cities in the world. Venice has a diverse Jewish community led by Rabbi Rami Banin. For a culinary experience the Gam-Gam restaurant is an excellent choice. They prepare delectable Italian dishes as well as Shabbat meals.

Greece is a magical place. And what better way to experience that magic than on a cruise ship surrounded by fellow Jewish travelers?

Introducing the Amazing Breakaway!

Photo Credit: coolcruisenews.com

We have a new ship in our fleet. It's called Breakaway. And it is a stunner.

Starting this summer we will be sailing on NCL's newest cruiseship. Breakaway is a wonderland of activities for both adults and children--the perfect vessel for families.

Let's start at the very beginning--the dock. Breakaway leaves from New York. How great is that? Once on board you will have so many great options it will be tough to decide where and how to spend your cruise time. But, imagine if you will...

You start your morning with an incredible breakfast. The sun is shining and the air is warm. The kids are bouncing with excitement because they know what's coming. Aqua park! The waterslides and pools in the park are a blast and will keep your kids entertained for hours. By the time afternoon rolls around they will be worn out and ready for a siesta.

If your kids aren't waterbugs, Breakaway has a sports complex with a rock climbing wall, ropes course and mini-golf. At kids camp they can watch movies in the kids theatre, do arts and crafts or test their gaming skills on PlayStation and Wii.

We know what you're thinking, "What about me?" Well, for moms and dads the spa will be an ideal escape while the kids are in camp. This is not your everyday spa, it's a state-of-the-art facility with more than 50 treatments.

At the end of each amazing day at sea you will be able to return a beautifully designed and comfortable cabin.

We can't wait to see you in NYC, ready to board our exciting new ship!

Rabbi YY Jacobson wows on Jewish Sea Cruise

Kosherica was thrilled to have Rabbi YY Jacobson participate in our Jewish Music Festival Cruise. He kindly gave lectures and shiurum on a broad range of topics that greatly boosted the program. In fact for two straight Friday nights we had unforgettable Fabrengens that lasted into the wee hours of the morning!

Rabbi Jacobson's topics covered Shalom Bayis, educating children and finding a real and lasting spark in every Jew. We were amazed by Rabbi Jacobson's ability to bring all of these topics together in his closing lecture during the final Shabbat.

"This was the best cruise I've ever been on," remarked Joseph Schwartz. "The food was magnificent, the singers were amazing and Rabbi Jacobson is a star. I couldn't have imagined a greater experience."

Kosherica and Giving

Kosherica is proud to give donations to over 40 charities a year!

Since Kosherica's inception over 20 years ago, we have made a commitment to being a charitable organization. Giving back to the community is part of our company's motivation to excel. Our company is a family run organization that values chesed. Each day we ask ourselves, how can we positively impact the world?

Kosherica feels blessed that organizations like the Make A Wish foundation gives us the opportunity to create some good in the world (we feel especially blessed if it's creating happiness in a child's life!) There is nothing more wonderful then seeing a child's eyes light up when they realize a dream of theirs is coming true. There is nothing like seeing hope exude from their being. Those children give us motivation to keep our commitments to the community. They are our inspiration!

Below is a link to the Aleph Institutes' new auction. Kosherica is a yearly sponsor. Please join us in helping them and please remember that we are all citizens of this world and the smallest effort can greatly impact others for the better.