Kosher Travel

We’re already on our 26th year of hosting Passover hotels in Israel, and each year we pinch ourselves because it’s hard to believe how lucky we are to be doing this with our amazing guests. Not that you need to be convinced, but here are our favorite reasons for being in Israel for Passover. We’d love to hear yours in the comments below!

10. Seven days instead of eight days. One seder instead of two. ‘Nuff said.

9. While in most countries Jewish communities set up discrete locations to burn the last crumbs of chametz on the day before Passover, in Israel it’s a series of street parties. Just follow your nose to that bonfire-like smell. You’re bound to find more than a few in every neighborhood.

8. Passover in Israel features gorgeous spring weather, which is why it’s also named “Chag Ha’aviv”. The trees sing; the flowers bloom. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the hills and valleys which are now painted with flowers in every color of the rainbow, as you breathe in fresh air and enjoy Israel’s great outdoors.

7. With practically the entire country on vacation for the week of Passover, a myriad of entertainment options are available – including free museum days and fun festivals. See our Chol Hamoed activity list for ideas.

6. Bananagrams in Hebrew for your seder, as per Laura Ben-David’s article in the Times of Israel on making the seder fun and interactive. That, and other Israeli inventions to make the seder more exciting for the kids (and some grownups, too).

5. The current conversion rate for Israeli currency is 1 dollar to 3.73 shekels. That means you get more bang for your buck on food, hotels and everything you need for a fantastic family holiday.

4. Not only do you get a good conversion rate, but spending time in Israel means directly supporting Israel’s economy. With boycotts galore and tourism being one of Israel’s major sources of income, the money you anyway spend on Passover is better spent here than anywhere else.

3. Kosher for Passover restaurants spring up throughout the country, giving everyoen a much-needed break from all that seder cooking. It’s a unique adventure to go restaurant-hopping and see the creative dishes that can be produced on the limited kosher-for-Passover diet.

2. Think restaurants are an unusual perk of Passover in Israel? Wait until you see the luxury Passover hotels. They will blow you away with their amenities and warm chag atmosphere. Families and friends look forward all year to relax at these spas and resorts as their children and grandchildren spend quality time together.

And finally,

1. This year in Jerusalem. We’ve said this before, but there’s really nothing like celebrating the festival of our freedom in our homeland. Imagine recounting the narratives of the haggadah – Avraham being gifted with Canaan; the birth of Yitzchak; the journey of Yaakov going down to Egypt; the sages in Bnei Brak and many others – on the very land in which the stories took place. Let this be the year you get to witness the miracle of our survival firsthand, together with you family and all the pleasures of modern-day Israel, in the Holy Land.

What are your favorite reasons to celebrate Passover in Israel?

Raise your hand if the announcement, “Mommy, I’m bored!” makes you cringe. Yeah, we’re waving our hands, too. That’s why we prepare fun lists of things to do on Chol Hamoed for guests at our Pesach hotels in Israel. Here we share some of them with you:

Rosh Hanikrah and the Arch Cave – Rosh Hanikra is located on the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, on the Lebanese border. Descend the mountain in a cable car and walk through natural grottos while experiencing the sounds and sights of the waves crashing into the mountain. A short walk to the Arch Cave offers a stunning view of the Western Galilee and Mount Carmel.

Bees and Honey – Moshav Mishmeret in the tel Mond area offers guided tours of bee hives, an animal farm and orange picking
(Tel:09-7961260 ).

Winter Pond Park – The Winter Pond Park is made entirely of wood and includes entertainment and sports facilities for children.

Snir Water Hike and Shar Yashuv Memorial – Nachal Snir National Park is a short family hike through the Snir River, also known as the Hatsbani River, a tributary of the Jordan River. The walk takes you through the water, over stones and tree roots, past waterfalls and rushing water. From there you can visit the unique architectural experience of the Shar Yashuv memorial to the 73 fallen soldiers in the 1997 helicopter crash.

Tzfat Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah – Visit the mystical city of Tzfat, one of the four holy cities in Israel, and a spiritual center of the Jewish world. Explore the alleyways, synagogues, artists’ galleries and small guest houses. The Citadel park at the top of the city features ruins dating back to the time of the Crusaders and the Mameluks.

Jeeping in the Golan Heights – Get your engines going with an off-road exciting and fascinating jeep tour in the Golan Heights. Ride along dirt roads, see amazing views of the Golan Heights to the other side of the Kinneret and pass some historical and archeological sites.

Dona Gracia Museum in Tiberias – Step back in time to the Sixteenth Century and learn about this amazing Jewish woman and her history. The Dona Gracia Hotel and Living Museum tells the story of Portuguese-born Beatrice de Luna, the lady who made use of her fabulous wealth to rescue hundreds of Jewish refugees from the perils of the Spanish Inquisition. At the museum you can enjoy a guided tour of the exhibits and a chance to dress up in period costumes.

Kinneret Cruise – Spend a day on the lake with a refreshing cruise on the Kinneret. It offers wonderful views of the beautiful landscape and historic sites that surround the shore line. If you want to be adventurous, rent water sports equipment and have some fun with rafting, tubing, banana boats and jet skis.

Jerusalem Ropes Course – Enjoy a series of outdoor training activities that encourage bonding and teamwork. Activities include acrobatic rope walking, tree snappling (rappelling), rope ladder climbing, sky swing and omega ziplining. There are plenty of shaded areas for family members to sit and watch the activities, although most activities include all group members. Plan your day here.

Jerusalem Ice Festival – This year’s ice festival will end April 30, so make sure to go before it’s over. Activities include acrobatics and gymnastics on ice – a one hour show, huge slides, mazes, rainforests, snowstorms, bridges and more. Get tickets here.

The Israel Museum – Ranked among the world’s leading art and archeology museums, the Israel Museum houses encyclopedic collections of nearly 500,000 objects. The children’s wing is the most interactive section of the sprawling 20-acre museum, with special activities for kids during Pesach vacation. More info can be found here.

Still not sure what to do? Pile the family in a car and head to the beach. Wherever you are, you’re probably not too far away for a day trip, so give the kids a chance to dig their toes in the sand and frolick in the water. What better way to enjoy the land we left Egypt for?

Plan your Pesach in Israel at one of our luxurious Pesach hotels and let us do all the work. See it all at www.koshertravelers.com.

What are YOUR Chol Hamoed suggestions for Pesach?

As the winds howl and temperatures drop, our minds begin to fantasize about sunny days and lazy weather.

Here are five destinations to look for when planning your summer getaway this year:

1. Morocco
Morocco is an initiation into the magic of the Islamic, African world of medinas, minarets, desert and mountain, and yet retains a European patina. While Fez offers a stunning array of medieval buildings, the world-famous souk of Marrakech sells a bewildering array of goods, Casablanca highlights a thriving commercial center, and Rabat reflects its modern French origins. The snow-capped Atlas Mountains lie inland and beyond them are the fringes of the parched Sahara. Whether scaling distant ridges, haggling for exotic artifacts, gazing at ancient wonders or marveling at the pink of a desert dawn, in Morocco, you will be mesmerized.

2. Alaska
In June, July and August, Alaska’s brutal winter makes way for a milder climate and longer days. As you navigate this wondrous region, you will experience the grandeur of Alaska’s colossal glaciers and majestic mountain ranges. Explore iconic Alaskan frontier towns and come face to face with its wild beauty. One cruise to Alaska is all you need to understand why so many flock there every year.

3. Norwegian Fjords
On July 14th, 2005, the West Norwegian Fjords were included in Unesco’s World Heritage list. The landscape, considered to be among the most scenically outstanding fjord areas on the planet, was inscribed in the list due to its unique natural quality and beauty. Numerous waterfalls and rivers characterize the area, as they cross the rugged mountains and forests on their way down to the fjords. Beautiful villages with a sustained cultivated landscape, featuring remainders of old farms and mountain pastures with unique cultural monuments, give an extra dimension to the dramatic natural landscape.

4. Southern Spain & Portugal
Andalucía, Southern Spain, is an eternal wellspring of intense beauty, festive spirit and cultural richness. Nowhere else in the world, other than in our own Jerusalem, does one see the collision of three monumental cultures so clearly and to such dramatic effect. The Muslims, Jews and Christians all contributed to a vital, if ultimately tragic, history. Andalucía is a land of pretty white villages, fabulous cities and undiscovered National Parks. From there you can travel to Portugal, home to 200,000 Jews, or 20% of the country’s population, during its Golden Age of Discovery. It is now a land of romance and beauty with alluring palaces, idyllic towns, museums and historic Jewish communities.

5. Amalfi Coast
Heard of Vietri pottery? See it at the source when you stop at Vietrisul-Mare and visit one of the few remaining makers of real wood inlay in Sorrento. Visit elegant Positano and Amalfi, capital of the Italian coast. Climb up the hills to enjoy the grandeur of hilltop Ravello, famous for its concerts, villas and gardens. Then there’s Pompeii. August 24th will never be the same again after you hear from a fascinating guide what happened in 79 C.E., the year Mount Vesuvius erupted. The area boasts 3 of the best preserved Greek temples in the world at Paestum. And let’s not forget a boat-ride to Capri, with the sun on your face and sea breeze in your hair, to prepare you for a few hours of magic on that most romantic island, where a chair-lift to heaven is just one of the ways to enjoy the island to the full. On the way back you’ll see what all the fuss
is about as you experience the magnificent views of the Amalfi coast from the sea.

Ready to plan your summer getaway? Visit www.koshertravelers.com for more sensational summer destinations with delicious kosher meals prepared for you. Call 646-240-4118 (U.S.) 972-2-992-9801 (Israel) or email david@eddiestravel.com and we’ll help you design your trip.

Have you been to any of these destinations? Let us know about your experience.  Where are you hoping to travel this summer?

With all the gadgets and gear available nowadays, kosher travel is becoming easier and easier. There are so many ways to make your vacation more entertaining, more comfortable and stress-free…and we’ve been noticing the difference over the years we’ve been involved with Eddie’s Kosher Travel. Here are a few things we reach for when we pack up the family for a trip:

Luggage scale – This is a must, because it takes all the guesswork out of making sure your suitcases are not overweight and you don’t pay hefty airline fees. Bring one along to make sure the souvenirs you purchased along the way don’t give you trouble.  This one by Magellan is under $12.

Adaptors and chargers – When it comes to electronics and international travel, it’s best to buy multi country adapters. Pack chargers in a ziploc bag in your hand luggage so you can repower in airports or rest stops along the way if needed. Before you check out of hotels, remember to remove all chargers from outlets before you leave the premises. In a bind, some hotels do have spare chargers (from lost and found) if you ask.

Tablet and entertainment – On our last trip we downloaded some shows and movies on our tablet and were able to pleasantly pass the time while waiting for connecting flights on a long trip. Load it up with Jewish videos your kids can watch so they won’t be bored. This is a great gadget to have with you.

Travel pillow – Snuggle up and get some shut-eye during flights and car rides with a comfy travel pillow. Lots of cozy ones can be found with a quick online search. Who says you have to get a stiff neck when you travel?

Kosherclock3 – Here’s a kosher travel clock approved by rabbis…does that mean you could eat it? Well, not really, but the Kosherclock3 has a weekday mode, Shabbos mode and travel mode to make sure you’re on time wherever you are – even on Shabbos overseas. Check out the features and you’ll see why you need it.

Bonus: Handy Apps

Do you have a smartphone? Of course you do. Click into your phone’s app store and download these winners:

TripIt – “TripIt drags traveling kicking and screaming into the 21st century.” That’s their tagline. It turns all your flight, hotel and rental car confirmation emails into simple, mobile travel itineraries just by hitting forward.

FlightTrack – Track flights with this zoomable app that simulates the plane progressing towards its arrival airport. It’s easy to use and it provides departure and arrival information, plus gate and baggage-claim information, all refreshed every five minutes. It also works with TripIt.

Kosher GPS – Find nearby kosher restaurants, mikvahs and minyanim wherever you are. Kosher GPS has daily updates and thousands of locations, and it even offers free discount coupons.

Shabbat & Holiday Times – This app from Chabad.org shows you candle lighting times as well as when Shabbat and holidays end. It also provides quick access to more information on the upcoming parsha and Jewish holidays from their huge database. Times are automatically selected based on your current location or you can choose to show times for other locations.

Siddur – A siddur app takes the weight out of your luggage and dissolves it into your sleek phone. App stores offer siddurs for all kinds of styles and nusachs, so pick your choice. Just remember that if you’re traveling somewhere without a minyan, you can’t use it on Shabbos so bring a real siddur with you!

What are YOUR go-to travel gadgets?

Travel is an exciting opportunity to get away from the humdrum of everyday life and show your children the great big world around them. Whether you’re going with Bubby and Zeidy or just the immediate family, there are so many exciting discoveries and treasured memories your children will keep for the rest of their lives. Make your trip smooth and fun with these helpful tips for traveling with little ones:

• New clothing? – It’s fun to travel to a new place all decked out in new shoes or a new outfit. Just make sure kids have at least one pair of comfortable shoes they can wear in case the new ones give them trouble. And be sure to pack extra sweaters for cold nights or overzealous air conditioners, even if you’re going to a warm place.
• Changing – Stock up with more underwear and socks than you think they need, unless you have a way to do laundry while on vacation. You don’t want to be stuck without these basics for your kids. Keep an extra change of clothing for each child handy in case of spills or accidents en route.
• Comfort – Sitting in a car or plane doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Load up on favorite pillows and stuffed animals that will make kids feel cozy and at home.
• Activities – Need activities to keep the kids busy during the ride? Bring along reading books, coloring books, crayons, handheld games, a dvd player, playdough, dolls…even homework. Each child should have his own stash so there’s no bickering over who gets what. A good trick is to give each child a surprise gift on the day of the trip that will keep them excited and busy for longer.
• First aid – Navigating your way through a pharmacy in foreign territory can be daunting, so it helps to be prepared. Pack basic medications such as band aids, cough syrup, pain relievers and chewable travel sickness pills. If you have any liquids, it’s always wise to pack them in sealed zip lock bags to avoid spills.
• Earplanes – If you’re flying, there’s an inexpensive little gadget called Earplanes that relieve ear discomfort, clogging and popping during flights. These are a big relief for anyone who’s traveled with a screaming baby. They come in both adults and kids sizes. Dramanine is another thing we swear by to help the little ones sleep during flights (some prefer melatonin).
• Keeping clean – Bring plenty of baby wipes, even if you don’t have diapers to change. They are great for cleaning sticky hands and faces on the go. And bring plastic bags for trash or soiled clothing – they don’t take up much space but are lifesavers when you need them.
• Food – It’s probably redundant to say this to Jewish parents, but just in case: make sure you have enough food. Hungry children are cranky children. Prepare individually wrapped snacks like crackers, veggies, chicken strips…anything that is easy to eat on the go. Keep the food on top of other items so it’s easily accessible whenever you need it.

Whatever happens, the main thing is to stay calm and relaxed, with your sense of humor safely secured. Surprise detours and unexpected discoveries are one of the great benefits of travel. As long as you smile and take everything in stride, your kids will long remember the laughs and good times you had together on family trips.

What are your tips for traveling with kids? Please share them in the comments below.

Until next time, Nesia Tova!

Have you ever heard of Bahia? How about Salvador? Not El Salvador, or San Salvador, but Salvador, the capital of Bahia, the largest of Brazil’s twenty-six states.

Well, neither had I, until about five years ago, when my husband and I established a Chabad House and Jewish center in Salvador serving the Jewish residents as well as thousands of Jewish tourists who come to visit the region’s idyllic beaches and fishing villages, Salvador’s Pelourinho Old Town and enjoy practicing Capoeira martial arts. Many of the Jewish tourists join the millions who throng to Salvador for the world’s largest Carnaval celebration every February.

Life here is like nothing we have experienced before. For a nice English girl like me, the weather alone presents enormous challenges. The thermometer never dips below seventy-eight degrees, and usually hovers around a hundred. Homeschooling our children, the non-existence of a mikva, and the lack of privacy due to our open home present difficulties. Interestingly, the one thing I thought would be hardest – feeding my family and guests a strictly kosher diet while living over twelve hundred miles from the nearest kosher shop – is not so difficult after all.

Living in bustling cities with strong Jewish culture, one cannot imagine existing without a kosher grocery, a butcher, a restaurant or two, and a take-out place nearby. I dreaded the logistics of having to plan my meat consumption three months ahead of time, ordering it from Sao Paulo, and arranging to have it trucked north for four days by refrigerated truck, then unloading it all and storing it in our industrial-sized freezers. I thought eating defrosted yogurt and cheese and UHT milk* would be unbearable. I thought doing without ice cream, pizza, bagels and gourmet cakes would be a real sacrifice. I was sure my husband, four small children and I would suffer from the lack of kosher amenities.

But, we are not suffering. Not remotely. I have learned to bake bread, bagels, pizza and gourmet cakes, using simple ingredients from the local supermarket that do not need kosher certification. My children know that the ice cream we eat is different from the ice cream they have on the infrequent occasion when we visit cities in which kosher exists; but it is ice cream nonetheless.

Absent from my kids’ diet are the endless bags of fried, salted, sugared, preservative-laden snacks kids everywhere eat. Our consumption of fresh and cooked vegetables has doubled, and a mango-papaya-maracuja (passion-fruit) shake is a treat for my children; no sugar, no cream, just fruit. When they get twenty stars on their good-behavior charts, there are no chocolate bars. We take a walk down the road to the nearest coconut vendor, and the lucky winner gets a freshly perforated coconut, ice-cold, with a straw inside to suck out the delicious, naturally sweet and vitamin-laden agua-de-coco (coconut water).

One of my children was recently diagnosed with celiac-sprue disease, a condition where the villi in the intestines cannot absorb gluten, shrinking away to nothing when gluten is introduced in to the system, thus endangering the body’s absorption of other vital vitamins and minerals. Since gluten is a protein found in all products made with wheat, barley, rye, and most oats, keeping to a gluten-free diet is extremely challenging. In the literature available on the subject, much space is devoted to discussions of the self-control needed (and often lacking) to stay away from these products. While reading this, I smiled. To the kosher-conscious (especially one living in Salvador) such self-control is par for the course.

My three-year-old knows when she walks up the candy aisle in the supermarket, that she cannot have even one item on the shelves. My children don’t even bat an eyelid when the ice-cream man rolls his cart down the street, shouting “Picole, picole!” When my four and six year olds recently attended a friend’s birthday party, they took bags of homemade cookies along, and refused even a lick of the spectacular Hot-Wheels birthday cake served. (I know because the birthday boy’s mother, amazed at their self-control, told me!)

The thousands of Jews who crowd into Salvador to attend the world-famous Carnaval (a weeklong outdoor festival) are amazed. Who would have thought you could buy a kosher schnitzel and potato salad within earshot of the samba beats? Who would believe that you could obtain a Shabbos meal with challah and chicken soup a hundred yards from the trio electricos (music trucks)? Our Chabad House, so close to the Caranaval offers kosher options for the thousands of Jewish revelers.

When we moved here, our new friends here told us it couldn’t be done. Keeping kosher in Bahia was an impossibility, and people predicted that it would take six months for us to start compromising. (They said this about my long skirts and my husband’s beard and black coat, as well). Four and a half years later, we have proven that keeping kosher in the land of Capoeira and Carnaval is a matter of making up your mind to it. I am inspired by the families that have jumped on the kosher bandwagon, and have taken steps towards bringing G-d’s blessing into their homes.
So – kosher Salvador? Absolutely!

*UHT milk is long life milk which doesn’t need refrigeration and lasts a few months. However, it tastes very different to regular milk found in supermarket shelves.

As seen in the Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller Magazine (Bitayavon- Winter 2011) – Subscribe Now.

Venice is generally considered to be the most romantic city on earth. It is where people fly to declare love, propose marriage, or spend their honeymoon.  But if you arrive in the height of the tourist season, the crowds can turn your dream into a nightmare and make you wish you had stayed home.

However, away from the main drag you can still find plenty of quiet alleys to wander, where you can lose track of time.  Surprisingly, one of Venice’s best-kept secrets, which still maintains its quiet and charm, is the old Jewish quarter.  The Ghetto of Venice was the first in the world, instituted in 1516 by the Venetian republic as a means of isolating and controlling its Jewish inhabitants. However, while Jews were harshly persecuted in the rest of Europe, Venice was a safe haven where they were able to practice their faith openly.

The first groups of Jews to settle in Venice were Ashkenazi Jews. The Ashkenazim were later joined by Italian Jews arriving from Rome and the South, and by Jews on the run from the Turks. After the expulsion in 1492, Spanish and Portuguese Jews also arrived (including the famous Don Isaac Abarbanel). By the 16th century the ghetto of Venice was a crossroads of peoples and cultures, and an international center of Jewish printing.

Mozzarella in Carroza - Fried Mozzarella Sandwich

The Jewish ghetto in Venice included a theater, an academy of music and literary salons, and the fame of grammarian Elia Levita, Rabbis Leon Modena and Simone Luzzatto, and the poetess Sara Copio Sullam reached far beyond its gates. As the Jewish population increased, there was nowhere for them to expand, so they built vertical additions on top of existing buildings to form “tower houses.” These were unusually tall buildings for Venice with very low ceilings.  They were called the ghetto “skyscrapers.”  against this extraordinarily varied and cosmopolitan background, a unique cuisine also evolved. Jewish immigrants from Turkey and Sicily introduced different rice dishes, the use of spices such as saffron, and the combination of pine nuts and raisins in savory recipes. Spanish and Portuguese Jews brought baccala’ (salt cod), frittata, and marzipan pastries. Besides goose, which became a staple (roasted, cured, or as a fat for cooking), the Ashkenazim brought gefilte fish and bread dumplings. The fusion of these different cuisines produced such brilliant results that the two ‘signature’ dishes of general Venetian cuisine, Fish in Saor and Bigoli in Salsa, both boast Jewish origins.  Ravaged by the Great Plague, starting in 1630, and bled dry by its wars against the Turks, Venice started its slow decline in power starting from the second half of the 17th century. As many Jews emigrated in search of fortune, the community began to shrink.

The demolition of the ghetto gates by the troops of Napoleon in 1797 marked the end of segregation. Jews even played an important role in the fight for the Italian unification that followed, which culminated with the annex of the Veneto (one of the twenty regions of Italy in which Venice belonged) to the new Kingdom of Italy in 1866. After this date, the destiny of the Jews of Venice was joined to that of communities throughout the country. Unfortunately, tragic events were to befall the country with the Racial Laws, the German occupation, and deportations.

Aafter the end of WWII the community counted 1050 people; while the ghetto shrank even further in numbers (450 members), the efforts made to reconstruct what had been destroyed have given it such energy and vitality that the ghetto often became the center for the cultural life of the entire city. Every year, for example, there is an international conference on Jewish Studies. Exhibitions and seminars are also held regularly in the ghetto. The 16th century synagogues are still home to orthodox services on Shabbat and the weekdays.

Fritters with Pine Nuts

Meanwhile, Torah, Talmud classes, and courses in Modern Hebrew, are organized for both children and adults. The facilities include a kindergarten, a nursing home, a kosher bed and breakfast (“Giardino dei Melograni”), and a kosher bakery, along with a Museum of Jewish Art and the renowned Renato Maestro Library and Archive.  However, the rich and diverse history of this community is also reflected in everyday things: around each holiday, the little dark streets that lead to Campo del Ghetto, where someone still almost expects to run into ancient merchants and rabbis, fill with the fragrance of freshly baked pastries made with the same recipe that was used a hundred years ago.

When Hanukkah comes delicate fritters filled with pine nuts and raisins – some are also made with pumpkin or rice – fry in the bubbly olive oil, while the flickering light of the menorah casts its shadows on the water on the canal, reminding us in a familiar way of our unique past.

As seen in Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller Magazine (Bitayavon Winter 2011) – Subscribe Now

This winter, enjoy wine country and the wonder of California’s coastline—kosher style

Sunday:
Fly into Oakland, Sacramento, or San Francisco.
All three cities are located within an hour of Napa Valley.

Monday morning:
You’re finally in wine country. If you want to swallow that wine—and not spit—it’s best to leave the rental car at the hotel and take a tour bus or limousine to Napa Valley’s kosher wineries. Your first stop is at the Hagafen Winery on Silverado Trail, which is parallel to Highway 29, but a mile inland. Savor the wines in the tasting room and join the 11 a.m. tour to see winemaking in progress. Call ahead.

Monday afternoon:
For an extraordinary wine tasting experience, stop at Covenant Wines, located within the historic Larkmead Vineyard, also in Napa Valley.  Call ahead and you could nab an invitation for a personal winemaking demonstration.

Tuesday:
The interstate is faster—but we recommend taking the scenic route down the California coastline and through the Santa Cruz mountains. Take a charter boat from Monterey Bay to go whale watching. The winter is prime time for spotting the Gray Whale as they migrate through the bay. Chances of sighting are 90%.

Wednesday: Gasp as you go hiking through the rugged valleys of the Big Sur and climb up the ridges for superlative views
of the coastline. Drive a few miles inland and through the coastal redwood forests, where trees measure over 360 feet in height.

Chicken Filled Brik

Wednesday evening: Cap your day of adventure by feasting at Tierra Sur at the Herzog Wineries in Oxnard California, and enjoy gourmet dishes like these Moroccan Brik by exemplary chef Todd Aarons. Be sure to make reservations! Stay the night
in Oxnard.

Thursday morning:
Tour the Herzog winery and see wine being made, processed, and bottled. At this time of year, the wine made during harvest
season, from late August to early November, may have finished fermenting and will be moving into barrels. The tour begins daily at 10 a.m.

Thursday afternoon:
Fly home through LAX or continue on to enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling city—a sharp contrast to your week
spent with nature.

Before you go, Try the Special Edition Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon and the Reserve Late Harvest Chenin Blanc.

Have you been to Napa? Let us know in the comments below.

Contributed by Gary Landsman this article was originally published in the Chanukah 2011 issue of Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller, Subscribe Now.

I was fortunate enough to spend three weeks in Israel on a trip with the organization Aish Hatorah. Any time I had been to Israel before, it was a toss up between pizza, falafel, shwarma, or a salad from Sambooki. On this trip, however, I consumed fewer than three dairy meals, and my meat (fleishig) meals could only be described as “abundant.” We ate in a meat restaurant in Metula in the north, where waiters served us endless tabletop grills with chicken, beef kabobs, grilled vegetables, and steak. At the Dan Panorama, where we stayed for most nights, we were treated to buffets loaded with a variety of meat, chicken, and fish dishes, as well as a stocked salad bar (a la Israel), carving station, and a variety of soups and side dishes. And of course, our shnitzel lunches were always hot and crispy, topped with sesame seeds and served alongside hummus and what Israelis call “ketchup.”

On that note, here are some of my observations about the current state of food in Israel.

1. The meat is almost there. I distinctly remember my first memory of eating meat in Israel, and understanding why most people stick to chicken. My parents had always told me that Israelis served chicken instead of meat because red meat in Israel is so expensive. However, as my palate developed, I provided my own answer to this question: red meat is not worth the money. Of course, hamburgers and expensive entrecote steaks in restaurants are delicious, but in terms of home cooking, stick with chicken. You can’t go wrong with a fatty batch of pargiyot (boneless dark meat chicken). Nevertheless, the quality of the meat (amount of fat and silver skin, as well as overall flavor) has improved some, as long as you cook it right. And I can’t tell you what “right” is yet, because I only tasted it once or twice.

2. Condiments. Ketchup is still a thicker version of sweet tomato soup; avoid if you can. Mustard is alright. When eating in restaurants, you will most likely get either Thousand Island or Honey Mustard salad dressing, in which case I recommend going for plain olive oil and lemon juice. The oil and juice in Israel is fresher than in America, so take advantage. Additionally, when it comes to sandwiches/burgers/wraps/salads, pile on the garlic mayonnaise! I have no idea why America hasn’t stolen this genius concept yet, but it makes everything taste better. While you’re at it, throw on some sweet chili as well. It’s like BBQ sauce, ketchup, duck sauce, and hot sauce all in one perfectly balanced condiment. MMM! And for those who are curious, spots like Burgers Bar offer other condiments like pesto, chimichurri, hot sauce, tahini, and all of the aforementioned sauces and condiments.

3. Say Cheese! Of all types and all origins: cow, sheep, goat, lamb; brie, camembert, feta, Bulgarian, hard cheese, soft cheese, yellow cheese, salty cheese; smoked, cured, aged, fresh. On one Thursday afternoon, I spent an hour cheese shop-hopping in the Shuk (Machaneh Yehuda) by myself to find the best lamb’s milk feta cheese, and had the time of my life. Throw in a bottle of Reisling (which is Kosher nearly everywhere!), some Osem whole grain crackers, and fresh red grapes from the shuk, and you have a great Shavuot Kiddush (which I did).

4. Produce availability. Unfortunately, I was unable to get my hands on any pomelos or persimmons, which just proves the quality of the fruit in Israel. You won’t be able to find anything that is out of season; therefore, the fruits and vegetables that you can find in the Shuk are of the highest quality. Purchase according to season and you will not be disappointed!

Bubble and squeak is a traditional English recipe made with the shallow-fried leftover vegetables from a roast dinner. The main ingredients are potato and cabbage, but carrots, peas, Brussels sprouts, and other vegetables are often added. The dish got its name from the bubbling and squeaking sounds during the cooking process.  Cold chopped vegetables mixed with meat and mashed potatoes are all fried together in a pan and it is often made with leftover meat and veggies, served alongside and pickles or brown sauce, another infamous British condiment.  This is one of those meals that take me back to the smells and tastes of childhood.

For many, rain is depressing, lonesome and brings down the mood – but when I think of Bubble and Sqeak, my memories are cast back to a happy childhood, and the comfort food we would enjoy when the rain came down.  You see, the heavens would open in all seasons when I was growing up, and rather than rain stopping play, we’d take our fun indoors and continue to enjoy the day.  Sometimes guests stayed longer to wait out the weather, other times our visits were extended so not to walk back in the rain.  It’s all about perspective – as is this dish.

Leftover mashed potato, yesterdays meat, might sound odd to you – especially if you’re not one to re-heat or re-purpose your food – then again, to me, chicken and waffles sounds like a corrupt take on dessert.

The British aren’t always thought of fondly for their food, but their comradery and “chin-up” mindset can make the rainiest days with leftovers into a childhood memory that never fades!

I was inspired for this recipe by Jamie Oliver.  Jamie Oliver first raised his head in 1997 with the bit BBC series, The Naked Chef.  Instantly, he grabbed the heart of British TV watchers with his open kitchen and chatty nature.  Over in the US, his colloquialisms made him an instant celebrity and his crusade against processed food and obesity is a cause that I support wholeheartedly.  Things are done a little differently in England, especially when it comes to the culinary art of “dinner” and Jamie has a handle of this art, taking the mundane and elevating it, without complexity, so it’s fit for the Queen.

So in the spirit of London 2012, I share with you the classic British Comfort Food, Bubble and Squeak, inspired by Jamie Oliver and adapted by This American Bite.

Don’t miss this recipe for another British classic, Yorkshire Pudding.

If I say “British Food” you’re either thinking bland pub food with room-temperature Newcastle Brown, or your mouth is watering at the thought of melt-in-the-mouth fish and chips enjoyed with the smell of salt sea air.  If you’re going to London for the 2012 Olympics and keep a kosher diet, I can all but promise you that neither of these images will come alive for you.  London has always had plenty of fine dining options, from the classics that I remember as a child, to the near culinary delights to hit the scene and I intend to help you make sure you have a taste of the best when you get to Her Majesty’s land.

Central London has fewer kosher options than Golders Green, Edgeware and Boreham Wood, but for the best salt beef (corned beef to those of us in the US) on rye with Coleman’ss mustard and latkes large enough to share, I beg you to visit the West End and stop at Reubens (79 Baker Street, W1U 6RG).  The smells and sounds of this Zagat-rated deli make it so much more than just a place to eat.  Reuben’s is a place to dine, to people watch, and to experience part of Jewish London that hasn’t changed since 1973.  One similar culinary adventure that brings a smile to my face is Blooms, unfortunately they closed their doors in the summer of 2010.  If you’ve heard of Blooms from friends or family, the experience you will enjoy at Reuben’s will stay with you forever.

If you’re staying in Golder’s Green or Hendon and want an authentic taste of the Middle East, visit Solly’s (146-150 Golders Green Road, NW11 8HE).  For years, I swore the shwarma I would get at Solly’s was better than the shwarma I could get in Israel.  Family owned, and Israeli-run, you can order in English or Hebrew.  As well as providing a filling, and flavorful lunch or dinner, the decor of this restaurant is unique and adds to the experience too.

Also in Golder’s Green, Carmelli’s Kosher Bakery (126-128 Golders Green Road) close their doors only on shabbat and chagim.  If you’re itching for a donut, pastry or bagel with lox and cream cheese at 3am, this is the place to find it.  Just a short walk from Golder’s Green Tube station and no more than one block away from Solly’s, be sure to pick up some treats to enjoy while at the Olympics.  Be warned, they get busy on a Saturday night, especially as the other eateries near-by, kosher and non-kosher alike, start to empty out.

If you are still in London on August 5, be sure to check out Kosher Roast.  Inspired by Amy Beilin, a fellow foodie that missed the smells and taste’s of a Sunday roast lunch, Kosher Roast is a one of a kind “pop up restaurant”.  Pop up restaurants, perhaps like supper clubs in the US, offer restaurants and chefs the chance to test run new concepts.  By the same token, would-be chefs and restauranteurs can get a taste of the business.  During the Olympic celebrations, Amy will share her British classics like the scotch egg and mini chicken and leek pies with a Kosher Roast event.

If you are a foodie, the best part of travelling is the food.  It doesn’t matter whether you take a plane or a train, you can be a food explorer right in your own backyard.   Jamie spends most of her vacations in New York City where she can enjoy the many great kosher restaurants and tourist sites that residents often take for granted.  I usually need to leave the continent to feel like I am on vacation.  I have adventure in my soul and I love to travel — even with the kids.

When my first child was about 18 months old we were looking to a take a winter vacation.  Since it’s cold in Europe and we didn’t want to go too far, we decided on South America.  When we learned that Buenos Aires, Argentina was not only a great place to stretch the dollar, but overflowing with kosher restaurants we were sold.

Our winter is Argentina’s summer, so it is the perfect winter destination with barely any time difference, which helped traveling with a small child.   The Jewish people first came to Buenos Aires when fleeing persecution from the Spanish Inquisition and more Jews followed from all over Europe during the early part of the 20^th century.  Although many have since left to Israel or North America, Argentina still has the largest Jewish community in South America.

Kosher McDonald's in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina is the only place outside of Israel where you can find a kosher McDonald’s.  Despite the fact that I probably wouldn’t go to a Mcdonald’s back home even if I wasn’t kosher,  I knew that we would have to take my son for his first and possibly only McDonald’s, if only to make his future preschool friends jealous.  We actually had to go twice to get a decent picture because my son had a meltdown the first day that even a Happy Meal couldn’t fix!

A highlight of Buenos Aires is the ridiculous platters of meat we ate at every restaurant.  Argentina is known for grass fed beef and as you can see they set down a mini grill with smoldering hot coals on the table.  All you need is some chimichurri and French fries with garlic and parsley.  I didn’t see many other vegetables aside from salad, but it was vacation.

Argentine Chimichurri Marinade and Sauce

Since that trip I’ve adopted a number of Argentine flavors into my repertoire, although I haven’t yet managed a mini grill on the kitchen table.  Chimichurri sauce is an herb and lemon or vinegar blend that complements grilled steak and meats.  This recipe is simple but is so versatile it can really be made with any herbs you have on hand and spiced with chliis for an added kick.  I also love to add fresh chopped garlic and parsley to my roasted potatoes or baked potato fries.

My trip was too long ago to share actual restaurant reviews, but I loved El Galope and Mama Jacinta.  Check out Dani Kelin’s article for a full restaurant guide.  http://yeahthatskosher.com/2010/06/buenos-aires-argentina/

Have you been to Buenos Aires or anywhere else in South America?  Let us know all about your trip.

Main Image – Chimichurri Beef Kabob

A couple of months ago after my trip to Italy I met up with friend and kosher Italian food blogger Alessandra Rovati for a tour of Arthur Avenue.  Arthur Avenue is known as the “real” Little Italy in New York.  Since it is only ten minutes from home, I had to see what all the fuss was about. Alessandra was happy to be my tour guide and since we can’t eat at the restaurants, the main focus of our trip was the Arthur Avenue Retail market.   The market is filled with Italian meats, cheeses, dry goods and produce.  If you’re kosher, the produce and dried goods are worth the trip (at least if you live as close as I do).

Alessandra frequents Eataly, the gourmet Italian market in New York City founded by Mario Batali in 2010 to highlight imported Italian goods you can’t find anywhere else.  Eataly is a large market with specialty dried goods, amazing produce and a hefty price tag.  The same 00 flour I was looking for my homemade pasta was available at Arthur Avenue for half the price of Eataly.  Eataly has an impressive  selection of gourmet Italian products, many with kosher supervision (or not requiring one), but for the basics, Arthur Avenue is the place to shop.

Alessandra and I had a fun time searching through the dry goods for hechshers and looking up the  Italian kosher food guide to see which cookies we could buy.  In the end, I mostly bought dried beans, flour and a few dried pastas as well as some fabulous produce.  Now it’s pasta making time.

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Before I moved to Israel five years ago, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what was considered to be the “national food” of Israel.  Even though I grew up in the United States, far from the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, I remember my mother telling me that falafel was sold on almost every street corner in Israel. She described it as being similar to the hot dog vendors I would see on every corner in New York City, or the soft pretzel vendors you would see on the streets of Philadelphia.

What my mother didn’t tell me was that Israeli falafel was NOTHING without its “partner in crime”, hummus. Even in the fanciest of restaurants or the most unusual events here in Israel, hummus somehow becomes part of the menu.   From hummus served with meat, at the Basarim restaurant in Tiberias; to hummus with mushrooms at Marvad Kasamim (The Magic Carpet) in Jerusalem; to the local hummusiyah (hummus vendor/restaurant), the flavor of hummus is ubiquitous in Israel.

So what is this hummus stuff anyway?

Hummus is a thick paste of chickpeas (“hummus beans” here in Israel!), garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and sesame paste called “tahini”. The earliest incarnation of hummus appears in 13^th-century Egypt. Back then hummus consisted of chickpeas mixed with vinegar and pickled lemons, instead of the garlic or tahini we use today.

Hummus as we know it today was first documented as part of a recipe in Syria in the late 19^th-century. It is unknown when hummus first appeared regularly at dinner tables throughout Israel.

Ok, so hummus tastes good, but is it good for me?

Hummus is a great source of iron and vitamin C.  It also contains amounts of folate and vitamin B6. As the main ingredient of hummus is the chickpea, it’s a great source of protein and fiber. Besides being a common “salad” found on Israeli tables, it’s also a staple of both vegetarian and vegan diets.

So what does hummus have to do with Purim?

A friend called me up shortly before I was going to write this article to ask me for my hummus recipe. She didn’t explain what she was going to pair it with, but she decided to include it into her Misloach Manot. I hope she serves it with falafel or carrot sticks – two favorites in our household!

How do you make hummus?

Joy of Kosher has all sorts of hummus variations, but click to see my “top secret” hummus recipe.

Ideas of what to pair hummus with for Purim:

• Carrot/vegetable sticks
• Homemade pita chips
• Falafel
• Pretzels
• Crackers
• Pickles

New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) is a city steeped in history and influenced by Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond.  It is known for gumbo, late night Jazz, historic neighborhoods and amazing festivals throughout the year.  Mardi Gras is one of the most well known celebrations in New Orleans that will be celebrated on February 21 this year.  It is just a few weeks before the Jewish holiday of Purim, often referred to as the Jewish Mardi Gras, and can be a great theme for your Purim seudah.

Jewish life in New Orleans is complicated.  Legend has it that an unknown Jewish peddler came to New Orleans many years ago.  While there, his horse died, so he decided to stay and that was the beginning of Jewish New Orleans.   History tells us that there were three waves of Jewish immigration to Louisiana.  The first Jews came in the 1700s and were Spanish and Portuguese traders.  The next wave came in mid-19^th century mostly from Germany and Alsace-Lorraine.  The final wave came in the late 19^th and early 20^th century consisting of mostly Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews.  Still, the Jewish community remains small and by 2005, there were 10,000 Jews in New Orleans, the smallest Jewish population of any major city.

After hurricane Katrina, New Orleans lost 25% of the Jewish population.  Since then, Jews from all over the country rallied to help the beleaguered city.  Homes were opened for displaced families; monies were raised to replace ruined Torahs; and, a recruitment call went out to Jews everywhere to help revitalize the Jewish community of NOLA. Over 2,000 Jews responded, and have now relocated to New Orleans. They form a vibrant and significant part of the contemporary New Orleans Jewish population,

Mardi Gras is a busy time for the city and should you find yourself in New Orleans looking for Kosher creole food, you are in luck.  They have two kosher restaurants in NOLA and one of them, Kosher Cajun serves gumbo and jambalya.  You can also enjoy the world renowned beignets at Café Du Monde since they received kosher certification in 2008.

If on the other hand, you want to celebrate Mardi Gras style in the comfort of your home we have the kosher recipes to make your party a hit.  Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Beignets

Gumbo

Jambalaya

Photo Credit – Flickr – Andy Castro