The kosher traveler has more opportunities than ever to visit remote ports, luxury resorts and exotic destinations than ever before. Thanks to the creativity and imagination of native Australians David and Chana Walles who made aliyah in 2008 and shortly after purchased the well-known Eddie’s Travel and Tourism, every year offers more exciting travel opportunities to couples and families looking to celebrate milestone occasions such as bar/bat mitzvahs, special birthdays and anniversaries and the Jewish holidays, the most popular being Pesach and Sukkot. Over 30 years ago, Eddie Freudmann, z”l, introduced the concept of Pesach and Sukkot programs in Israel for Anglos. While never compromising the Five-Star amenities being provided, the cost of the Israeli programs are significantly lower than those in the US.
This year marks the first time that David Walles, general manager and CEO of the newly branded Kosher Travelers will be visiting five locations in the U.S. to personally present the numerous and innovative travel options they have been developing for the kosher traveler over the past 12 years. Walles, together with Ari Bick, his business development manager and brother-in-law, will be presenting an open house in Teaneck on Thursday, November 14, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Zwebner home. Come and hear about the upcoming six Premier Pesach Programs in Israel and the inaugural Five-Star Pesach Program in Rhodes, Greek Isles. Hear about the summer and winter deluxe cruises and exotic trips to the Italian Alps, Japan, China, India, Morocco the Galapagos Islands and the ever-popular African Safari. Consider joining one of the January 2020 week-long Jewish Heritage tours, including yeshiva week, to Havana, Cuba, while there is still room. There are a few places still available. Shabbat before and after the trip will be spent in Miami.
Kosher Travelers is excited to present its roster of Pesach destinations in Israel: The Elma Luxury Hotel in Zichron Yakov, The Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem, The Ramada Suites in Netanya,The Hacienda Forest View in the Upper Galilee, Nof Ginosar on Lake Kineret and Neve Ilan in the Judean Hills. Every location offers elegant glatt kosher cuisine prepared by professional chefs, fantastic accommodations and the provision of all of your Yom Tov needs. Shiurim and topical lectures will be provided throughout Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed. Among the noted scholars-in-residence at the programs are Rabbi Doron Perez of World Mizrachi, and Rabbi Reuven and Dr. Yael Ziegler, noted Torah scholars and educators.
According to Chana Walles, who serves as the marketing manager and director of Passover programs, Chol Hamoed will be filled with a myriad of activities on the grounds of these picturesque venues. Special programming for children under mature supervision will be available as will exciting programs for teens. Programs to delight female guests, such as Zumba and mother/daughter activities, are planned. Nightly entertainment for the whole family will be presented. Trips to nearby sites of interest will be facilitated.
Walles takes great pride in his programs, as in addition to providing a high-end, boutique experience at an affordable price, they offer a unique opportunity to families whose members hail from different locales and often varied lifestyles to come together and celebrate a meaningful and highly enjoyable Yom Tov all together. “What sets us apart is that each hotel is personally hosted by our professional hosting staff. Also, Chana and I visit each of the sites over Chol Hamoed,” offers David. “We truly offer an atmosphere whereby each of our clients is unique and we take the time to meet them all. We truly enjoy what we do and are passionate about it.”
Kosher Travelers is delighted to offer their exotic Pesach destination out of Israel—the Elysium Hotel in Rhodes on the Greek Isles. The hotel will be fully taken over for the duration of the chag. A new addition to the Pesach destinations this year, the five-star, deluxe hotel offers a magnificent backdrop of the Aegean Sea. The hotel facilities are state-of-the art, offering high aesthetics in its public as well as sleeping areas. It is located just eight kilometers from ancient Rhodes where one can visit the ancient synagogue of Rhodes, which was home to a thriving community of Jews from the time of the Spanish Inquisition. A nearby Holocaust memorial pays tribute to the 1600 Jewish residents transported to Auschwitz. Other ancient and modern sites of interest on the island will be available for touring during Chol Hamoed. The flights from Athens to Rhodes and Tel Aviv to Rhodes are less than two hours and the hotel is a short distance from the airport.
The sumptuous cuisine in the Rhodes program is glatt mehadrin, no kitniyot and non-gebrochts, and is under the supervision of Rabbi Nechemia Rottenberg of Vienna. Scholars-in-residence are Rabbi Laibl Wolf, acclaimed psychologist and expert in mindfulness and meditation, joined by Rabbi Dovid Gottleib, formerly of Baltimore, now rav of Ganei Ha’ela in Beit Shemesh and Ra”m at the Gush.
Spread the word to your friends and family about the Kosher Travelers open houses around the country including Motzei Shabbat, November 9, in Seattle; Monday, November 11 in Beverlywood, Los Angeles; and Wednesday, November 13, in Woodmere. Kosher travelers will also be available to speak with you at Kosherfest in New Jersey on Tuesday, November 12.
To RSVP for Kosher Travelers’ Teaneck open house, email [email protected]. All attendees will be entered into a raffle for a kosher cruise raffle at a value of $3000. For more detailed information about Kosher Travelers offerings, visit www.koshertravelers.com.
By Pearl Markovitz
�
