January is a month of resets: a return to work, refreshed intentions and a renewed commitment to healthier habits. Dry January – a month-long pause from alcohol – is one way to support that last goal.
Dry January does not have to be a dull January. These mocktails are festive and celebratory, whether you’re marking Shabbat, unwinding after a long day or enjoying a meal with friends.
“As an avowed cocktail lover and drink recipe developer, mocktails still embrace everything I love about cocktail making,” Jessie-Sierra Ross, author of “Seasons Around the Table,” and founder of Straight to the Hips, Baby, told The Journal. “Because we’re pushed to create drinks that can live up to their cocktail counterparts, the flavor layering and mixology techniques are really accentuated in a great mocktail recipe.”
Nonalcoholic drinks are also a great way to welcome more people to the table.
“Those who are living sober and/or celebrating Dry January, or simply don’t like the taste of spirits or wine, can still enjoy a fantastic festive drink with friends,” she said. “As a bonus, you can indulge in a couple of tasty mocktails without any repercussions the next morning!”
Alcohol Free Cherry-Lime Rickey
Makes two 8 ounce drinks or one very large 16 ounce drink
6 fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and roughly chopped
2 ounces fresh lime juice
2 ounces cherry infused simple syrup *see below*
chilled club soda
Ice
1. In a cocktail shaker or large glass, muddle together the fresh cherries and lime juice.
2. Next, fill 2 good sized tumbler glasses (or one very large glass, if a single serving) with ice, and place a small sieve on top.
3. Strain the lime and cherry mix into the glass, and discard the cherry remnants. (We tried keeping them, but they always plug up the straw, and make drinking a challenge.)
4. Now, add the cherry simple syrup and top with the club soda.
5. Stir gently, and garnish with a lime round or a cherry.
6. This drink benefits from resting for a few minutes before enjoying.
Cherry Infused Simple Syrup
Makes 8 ounces
1 cup of granulated white sugar
1 cup of water
1/2 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries
1. Combine all of the ingredients into a medium saucepan and give it a quick stir.
2. Place over medium-high heat and allow to come to a low (small bubbles) simmer, while stirring occasionally.
3. Once at a simmer, cook for 8-10 minutes, until all the sugar has dissolved and the cherries have softened.
4. Remove from the heat and let stand for five minutes.
5. Next, smash the cherries in the pan with a potato masher and then strain over a sieve set over a medium sized bowl.
6. Allow to cool completely. Transfer to a covered container (I like using an old jam jar) and chill.
7. Simple syrup keeps for 7-10 days.
“My 450-pound ad-man dad was obsessed with every product he marketed,” Dawn Lerman, nutritionist and the author “My Fat Dad: A Memoir of Food, Love and Family, With Recipes,” told The Journal.
“During Dry January, when he was assigned the Taster’s Choice campaign, he built it into his mornings, his nights and his diet,” she said. “(He was) guided by a single belief: you don’t quit what you love, you find new ways to use it”
He made this coffee-infused martini a staple in his dry January ritual.
“He also turned the slogan for the mocktail – ’Times like this were made for Taster’s Choice’ — into an iconic campaign,” Lerman said.
1 ounce oat milk or almond milk (plus a little extra to foam for the top)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cacao powder (plus more for garnish, optional)
Ice
1. Brew the coffee and allow it to cool completely.
2. Add the coffee, milk of choice, vanilla extract, cacao powder and ice to a shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds until very cold and lightly foamy.
4. Strain into a chilled glass. Add a little more milk to the shaker till you get a nice foam; pour it into the glass over the coffee
5. Dust lightly with cacao powder.
Hilary Sheinbaum’s French 89 is a Taylor Swift-inspired twist on the French 75. The French 75 is a bubbly cocktail, typically made with gin (but sometimes cognac), lemon juice and simple syrup, along with champagne or sparkling wine. Her version uses nonalcoholic alternatives.
Sheinbaum is founder of GoingDry.co, an N.A. events and menu curation company and author of “Going Dry: A Workbook: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More” and “The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month.”
Sheinbaum has been sober-curious, and a dry month participant, since January 2017.
The French 89
Courtesy of Hilary Sheinbaum
1 ounce non-alcoholic gin
1/4 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
Lemon rind to make a lemon twist
3 ounces chilled non-alcoholic sparkling wine
1. Build the drink by adding the nonalcoholic gin, lemon juice and simple syrup in a glass. Stir.
2. Pour into a Champagne Flute or coup. Add the nonalcoholic sparkling wine.
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held Jan. 11 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, featured several Jewish winners and nominees across television, film and music.
Actor Noah Wyle won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his role in “The Pitt.” Wyle portrays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a Jewish emergency room physician whose identity is made explicit in the series. In one episode during the first season, the character recites the Shema following a particularly difficult shift.
“I was raised in a family that put a high priority on art and on curiosity and on service,” Wyle said. Wyle’s father, Stephen Wyle, was an electrical engineer descended from Russian Jewish immigrants, while his mother was raised in the Episcopalian faith.
Later in the ceremony, “The Pitt” also received the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama.
Comedian Seth Rogen earned his first Golden Globe, winning Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for “The Studio.” The Apple TV series, which Rogen created with Evan Goldberg, also won Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
Seth Rogen attends the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
The show satirizes Hollywood’s fixation on trophies and award shows, and included a storyline that stages a fictional awards ceremony that seems to be inspired by the Golden Globes. Rogen made sure to reference that in his acceptance speech.
“This is so weird,” Rogen said. “We just pretended to do this and now it’s happening. I thought the only way I would get to hold one is to create a whole show to give myself a fake one.”
In the film categories, Timothée Chalamet won Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for “Marty Supreme.” Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a Jewish shoe-store employee pursuing a career in professional table tennis. The character is loosely inspired by real-life Jewish table tennis player Marty Reisman.
Timothée Chalamet, winner of the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Award for “Marty Supreme” (Photo by Brianna Bryson/Getty Images)
Songwriter and composer Mark Sonnenblick was part of the team that won Best Original Song – Motion Picture for “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters.” Sonnenblick is also known for his work on “Saturday Night Seder,” the pandemic-era fundraising event that raised millions of dollars for COVID relief.
Three days before the awards ceremony, the Golden Globes expanded their programming with the debut of the Golden Eve Awards, a new primetime special introduced as part of a broader “Golden Week” of events. During the Jan. 8 broadcast, Sarah Jessica Parker received the Carol Burnett Award for lifetime achievement in television.
“Oh God, I love you so deeply and admire so much the people you are becoming that every day at home and at work I want to make you proud,” Parker said. “Once again to Carol Burnett, to the Golden Globes, and all my friends and colleagues gathered here this evening and at home, I humbly thank you for being such an integral part of an inconceivable life.”
As in previous years, the Golden Globes did not include a formal In Memoriam segment. The broadcast did, however, feature a tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner near the end of the ceremony. Host Nikki Glaser, who is not Jewish, wore a “Spinal Tap” hat in reference to Reiner’s work.
Several Jewish nominees did not take home awards but remained part of the evening’s broader story. Actor Adam Brody was nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for “Nobody Wants This.” “Marty Supreme” also received a Best Screenplay nomination for Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein.
Political references during the ceremony were limited, though a few moments drew attention. Actress Hannah Einbinder, nominated for Best Supporting Female Actor on Television for “Hacks,” appeared wearing an Artists4Ceasefire pin. The red enamel badge has been associated with a campaign launched by members of the creative community calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The design of the pin has been the subject of dispute. Some critics have argued that the imagery resembles photographs from a 2000 lynching in Ramallah, in which two Israelis were murdered and the attackers displayed their bloodied hands to a crowd.
The issue surfaced again in the Best Non-English Language Film category. “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a film centered on the death of a Palestinian child during the war in Gaza, was nominated but did not win.
Creative Community for Peace, a nonprofit advocacy organization that works with entertainment professionals, criticized the film following the ceremony. “‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ presents a one-sided and misrepresented account of a Palestinian child’s tragic death. … Her life deserves dignity, and the truth of how she died matters. By omitting critical context, the film turns tragedy into political propaganda. That is unacceptable, and it should not be rewarded as serious, responsible filmmaking.”
In separate posts on social media, the organization also commented on political signaling during awards season. “All Eyes on Iran. Let’s see how many of these celebrities actually cared about human rights …” the group wrote in one post. In another, it added, “Let’s see how many celebrities who proudly wore the ‘blood hand ceasefire’ pin will show up at the Golden Globes with a Free Iran message. We’ll be watching.”
One week after its release in Israel, “Hostage” by Eli Sharabi became a national bestseller, selling more than 20,000 copies. The book repeated that success in the United States following its release on Oct. 7, 2025, quickly climbing The New York Times’ bestseller list. Sharabi is the first hostage taken by Hamas to publish a book, and though the subject matter is difficult, the book itself is a compelling read, grabbing readers from the first page all through the last.
From the very beginning, readers carry a devastating knowledge that Sharabi himself did not have while he was in captivity: that his wife and two daughters were murdered in Kibbutz Be’eri on the day he was abducted. That painful gap — between what the reader knows and what Sharabi continues to hope for — casts a shadow over every page.
Yet the book is not only a chronicle of loss, it is a powerful story of resilience, survival and the triumph of the human spirit when all seems lost.
Sharabi takes readers with him as he is dragged into Gaza, first held in the homes of his captors and later in the dark, terrifying tunnel network below ground. He writes about his experiences in stark, unflinching prose, describing both the cruelty of captivity and the fragile bonds formed among the hostages. Among them is Alon Ohel, with whom Sharabi developed an unbreakable, father-and-son-like bond. Throughout the narrative, Sharabi reveals how his faith sustained him, giving him the strength to endure brutal conditions and overcome profound mental anguish.
Until Oct. 7, 2023, Sharabi was a happily married man living in Kibbutz Be’eri with his British wife, Lian Brisley. The two met in 1995, when then 20-year-old Brisley was volunteering at the kibbutz. They married five years later and had two daughters, Noya, 16, and Yahel, 13. On that day, Brisley and their two daughters were murdered. Sharabi’s brother, Yossi — who was also abducted — was later killed in captivity.
Once he was captured, Sharabi made a decision: “There is no more regular Eli. From now on, I’m Eli the survivor.”
Sharabi recounts being taken first to a mosque in Gaza, where terrorists interrogated him and accused him of being a soldier. He denied the accusation, but they refused to believe that he was 51 years old. He was later transferred to a private home belonging to a middle-aged couple and their three sons. Fluent in Arabic, Sharabi was able to communicate with the father, and the two even reminisced about their grandparents’ childhoods in Jaffa. At times, Sharabi played card games with the family and taught the children basic economics.
Though not a professional writer, Sharabi was able to beautifully depict his 491 days of ordeal, both the painful ones and the emotional ones and there were plenty of both. In one of the chapters he described how he was once allowed to stand with his captor by a window and breathe in the sea air and feel the breeze on his face. “We stand like friends, like brothers. Like something that can’t be defined … As if he’s not a religious extremist. As if he doesn’t hate my people,” he writes.
However, Sharabi didn’t delude himself into thinking they were truly friends. He understood the reality of his situation: if he had even attempted to escape, the man would have shot him in a heartbeat.
Yet for every fleeting moment of connection or beauty, there were repeated reminders of his captors’ control and cruelty. Sharabi also described the repeated humiliation he endured whenever he needed to use the bathroom. His captors would then grab him and lead him to the bathroom where they would “pull our boxers down so we can relieve ourselves,” he writes. “It’s humiliating. You’re standing there, exposed, blindfolded, hands tied, legs bound, performing the most basic, private act after someone has stripped you down, knowing his gaze is fixed on you.”
Still, despite these sustained efforts to strip Sharabi and his fellow captives of their most basic humanity and dignity, they found small ways to resist. When they spotted an unopened bottle of Fanta lying on the floor of the tunnels, for example, they seized the moment, snatching it while the terrorists weren’t paying attention and quickly drinking it. When their captors later suspected the hostages had taken it, they denied it, feigning innocence as Hamas flew into a rage. The act itself was insignificant, but the defiance behind it was not. For hostages who had been deprived of everything — their freedom, privacy, autonomy and control over their own bodies — it was a rare moment of quiet victory, a reminder that their will had not been fully broken.
Throughout his captivity, Sharabi’s body bore the marks of constant abuse: his ribs were badly broken, he was starved, and he lost 66 pounds. By the time he was released, he weighed just 97 pounds. Yet Sharabi emerges not as a victim defined by physical collapse, but as a man of extraordinary inner strength.
Eli Sharabai on the day of his release. Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
His body may have been broken and deprived of food, but his determination to survive remained intact. One example of this astonishing resolve was an evening ritual he initiated among the hostages, in which they were encouraged to share the “good” things that had happened that day. Sometimes, that meant celebrating having gone an entire day without being beaten, being given an extra half piece of pita, or simply knowing that the cruelest terrorist hadn’t been around for a few days.
When Sharabi was released on Feb. 8, 2025, his return was broadcast around the world. Gaunt and visibly weakened, he stepped out of captivity and back into Israel — only to learn that the family he had been waiting to return to no longer existed.
Since that day, Sharabi has refused to retreat into silence. Even as he continues to heal, he has taken on a public role few could imagine enduring — speaking openly about his captivity and using his voice to press for the release of those being held.
On Oct. 13, he was finally able to mark a long-awaited moment of hope: the release of Ohel, who had spent 738 days in captivity. The two men, who had shared imprisonment underground, were reunited in a moment captured on camera, embracing tightly, a wordless expression of survival, loss and the bond forged in captivity.
In recent months, Sharabi has traveled across the United States, addressing communities and leaders alike, and leaving audiences deeply shaken — not only by what he survived, but by the strength, composure and moral clarity with which he tells his story. A true survival story.
Finales of hit TV shows come weighted with heavy expectations. “Stranger Things,” the Netflix hit which ended its run on New Year’s Eve, had a large loyal following. Matt and Ross Duffer, the show’s creators, likely felt pressure to deliver a satisfying finale for a show whose final and fifth season reportedly had a budget of $480 million with more than a dozen characters who get screen time. It’s also one of the most popular shows of our time.
The series focuses on a group of teens in a small Indiana town, rocked by the sudden disappearance of two of them and the emergence of a girl with superpowers named Eleven, played by Milly Bobby Brown.
They discover what they suspect is an alternate world called “The Upside Down” that is dark, dangerous and contains past memories. They were horrified to see a faceless monster with sharp teeth known as a Demogorgon and they learn the one who controls them is a monster named Vecna, who also takes human form as Henry. Eleven and others have been treated harshly and been experimented on by Dr. Martin Brenner (a captivating Matthew Modine) who is at times sadistic and other times can be nurturing.
The best moment of the finale is when we see full details of the villain’s origin story. The adult Henry watches his memory of himself as a young boy. In a cave, he beats a man with a stone, who warns him about the danger of the mysterious objects he takes out of the man’s briefcase. British actor Jamie Campbell Bower is one of the best villains you will see, with piercing eyes and an ability to be both handsome and haunting. In the finale, he takes the form of Mr. Whatsit, who looks innocent wearing glasses and a sweater, but actually has nefarious intentions. Sadie Sink, the best actress in the show, dazzles as Max, a female student who skateboards, is good at video games, and feels guilty that she wished ill against her brother because he was abusive, and then was killed by the monster.
Actress Sadie Sink is the standout performer in the show as Max, a student dealing with a monster’s murder of her abusive brother and fights for her life.
Jewish actor Noah Schnapp (who was criticized on social media for making Zionist statements) shines in the last episode as Will, who in the previous episode gives a moving speech about being gay and wanting to maintain the support of family and friends. Having newly discovered he has superpowers and can get inside the mind of the monster, he steps up to try and help. Winona Ryder, who identifies as Jewish, puts the show on solid ground as Will’s mother, Joyce, who people think is crazy when she thinks she hears her son in the wall of their home. She straddles the line between wacky and likeable.
Ryder has superb chemistry with David Harbour, who plays Hopper, a police officer who takes care of Eleven and treats her like a daughter.Two actors of Jewish descent who were raised Christian are Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, a leader of the friend group who is reluctant to tell Eleven he loves her, and Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin Henderson, a tech-savvy and hilarious kid, who in many ways is the soul of the show. Brett Gelman (who spoke at events in support of Israel after Oct. 7) shows jaw-dropping comedic skills here as investigator Murray Bauman.His role is one for the ages. He does karate chops, pretends to be a crazed Russian pilot named Yuri and artfully gives suggestions to young men, saying they should be more proactive with the women they want to date. Though Jewish comedian Paul Reiser doesn’t have a comic role, as Dr. Sam Owens, he is the show’s moral compass. He argues that Eleven should not be treated as a prisoner and should have the choice to do what she sees is correct.
Jewish actor Brett Gelman has karate chops and comedic chops in the final season of “Stranger Things” and blows stuff up in the finale.
Many fans wondered if the Duffers would end the series on a cliffhanger or give concrete resolution. Would Mike and Eleven move away to a place with waterfalls? Would they even survive the battle against Vecna? The finale was controversial for two reasons. First, it left the fate of one major character up to interpretation, which some may find unsatisfying. In addition, the biggest emotional pull of the show was the romance between Mike and Eleven, yet the finale only had a quick scene between the two that felt rushed and forced, while more screen time was given to characters of little importance. The strength of the show was an ability to get you to care about so many characters, but in the finale, you have to go with your bread and butter, not the buffet.
The visuals, performances and sound are top notch. The show that deals with racism, homophobia, the 1980s, the Cold War and bullying, delivers a mostly satisfying ending. It’s also brilliant to use Prince’s “When Doves Cry,” not only due to the song being great, but because it fits since innocent people are murdered by the monster, with blood coming down their eyes like tears.
Though love triangles have become cliché, I like how the Duffers handle the relationship between Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) in an unexpected fashion.Maya Hawke, the daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, is fine as quirky young woman who is at times purposely annoying.
“Stranger Things” is one of the most addictive shows around. It will thrill almost everyone, as long as you’re a fan of shows that deal with fantasy or the supernatural.
“Stranger Things” is a rare show that people of all ages can enjoy. And in 2026, the idea of monsters coming from the sky doesn’t sound as strange as it used to.
One of Hollywood’s up-and-coming actresses is Odessa A’zion, a Jewish actress who was born and raised in Los Angeles to actress Pamela Segall Adlon and German director Felix Adlon. After steadily building her career since her early teens, she’s now stepping into major roles that are turning heads in both film and television.
She stars in Josh Safdie’s film “Marty Supreme” as Rachel Mizler, a married Jewish woman who has an affair with her childhood friend Marty, and in the new HBO series “I Love LA” as Tallulah Stiel, a chaotic, self-centered yet loyal influencer whose reappearance disrupts the life and career of her former best friend, Maia (played by Rachel Sennott). Tallulah serves as a force of disruption, navigating her own ambitions in Los Angeles while often unintentionally hurting those around her.
The past year has been especially busy for the 25-year-old actress, and it likely marked her biggest one yet, as she appeared alongside some of the industry’s biggest names, including Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher and Rachel Sennott.
Although she began acting at 15 on “Better Things,” a series created by and staring her mother, A’zion remains humble and genuinely thrilled about landing a leading role in a Safdie film. “It wasn’t like they came and presented it to me and said, ‘Hey, do you want to do this?’ I had to send my tape, do an improv and then do an interview and then another tape,” she said. “If I had to do one scene only, I would be happy to be a part of it. I was beside myself that I even got to audition for it. Then, when I was able to read the script, I was like, ‘OMG, this is insane. Timothée is such an incredible actor, I was beside myself that I even got to audition for it.”
The A24 film had a strong opening during the Christmas weekend, setting records for the studio with a limited debut, projecting strong overall numbers against major releases like “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” revealing it as a major hit for the holidays. On its opening day, “Marty” took in $9.5 million, including $2 million in Wednesday previews.
“I grew up Jewish; I didn’t know what day Christmas was until this movie and only then learned that it falls on December 25 because that’s the date the film opens. I thought it falls on December 22 and because Hanukkah is celebrated on a different day every year, I thought that it’s the same with Christmas.”
Adlon, A’zion’s mother, is an award-winning actress who began her Hollywood career with a role in “Grease 2” and has since appeared in television series including “The Big Bang Theory” and “Young Sheldon.” A’zion’s older sister, Gideon, is also an actress.
Both of A’zion’s grandfathers were involved in filmmaking. Her maternal grandfather, Don Segall, was a writer-producer, while her paternal grandfather was New German Cinema director Percy Adlon.
Speaking about her two recent roles, A’zion said they could not be more different from one another. “Even though Rachel and I are very different people, I really related to her. She felt very personal to me — almost like my kid or my sister — and I wanted to protect her. I understood why she was doing what she was doing. With Tallulah, it was harder in a way because she is so different from me. She pushed me out of my comfort zone, from the clothes she wears to being such a girl. They’re completely different characters, but I loved doing both.”
How do you usually approach a character?
“I feel like I’m, like, not a real actor. I just go and see what happens, you know?I think just bouncing off of the people around you and the energy around you and seeing what they do, and then just trying to make it work altogether, at least for me. Maybe one day I’ll go into it with like, okay, this is exactly what I’m going to do. There’s definitely sometimes where before you do the scene, there are moments that, at least for me, that I want to hit.I hope it worked.”
You’ve played very different roles, and each one feels distinct. How do you look at the range of work you’ve done so far?
“I’m really grateful for all the work I’ve done — it’s how I got here. Every job matters because it leads you to the next one, even the ones you take just to keep working. I’ve learned something from each experience about what works for me and what doesn’t. You don’t always get to choose, but I’m excited to show up and do the work, and I’m especially happy to be part of ‘Marty.’”
Marty is very determined to succeed in the ping-pong world, did you relate to his drive?
“I always feel a little weird talking about it, but definitely. I think everyone has a goal in their mind and dreams big. I could relate to that — maybe I’m not as loud about it as Marty is. Definitely not as loud, but I do have that feeling in me. I know this is what I want to do, so how do I get there? What do I do to make it happen? How can I push myself, or convince the people around me, so I can stay on a path I really care about.”
Does it feel like you’ve gotten there with this role of Rachel?
“Yeah. I’m just happy that I was able to do the movie.I feel like I won with that.I don’t need to do anything else ever.”
Both “Marty Supreme” and “I Love LA” are so tied to their cities — New York and Los Angeles. Since “I Love LA” takes place in the city you grew up in, what do you love most about LA?
“I love the weather and the palm trees. It’s beachy, cozy and there is space. I also love New York but I can’t cram myself into a shoebox apartment, I’ll feel way too claustrophobic and it’s so expensive, the price that you pay for a little shoebox. Here you get a lot more space. and I have a giant-ass dog who needs a backyard.He’s 135 pounds.”
What’s next for you in 2026?
“Our show [‘I Love LA’] was picked up, which I still can’t believe — just after the third episode. I also landed another project that I’m really excited about but can’t share yet, and there’s one more in January that’s a very quick shoot. Other than that, I have most of the year open, and who knows? I’d love to work on more projects — whatever Josh and Ronnie [Ronald Bronstein, co-writer of ‘Marty Supreme’] want to do next, I’m there if they’ll have me. I’m like, take me, I’m yours.”
For many, many years, on Friday nights, my mother-in-law Becky would walk into our Los Angeles home carrying her yellow Dutch oven. The heavy pot was tightly wrapped in a towel and inside sat her red rice. She would look at Neil and say, with quiet pride, “El arroz salió uno por uno,” meaning the rice came out grain by grain. To this day, those words bring a smile to his face.
Becky’s cooking belonged to a Sephardic Los Angeles that has largely disappeared. Her mother was born in Rhodes and her father in Bulgaria. Founding members of Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel and the Sephardic Hebrew Center, they first settled in South Central and later the Crenshaw District, when those neighborhoods were Ladino-speaking and deeply Sephardic. Food, language and synagogue life were woven together, passed from kitchen to kitchen.
Becky Sheff
Every month, Becky filled our freezer with boyos and burekas, each one perfectly shaped. There were biscochos coated in cinnamon sugar, roscas, reshas and her leek patties, keftes de prassa, for the holidays. She always counted everything. “I made 62 boyos and 76 burekas,” she would say as she handed me the bags. I never understood this need to count, until years later, when she could no longer bake and I took over. Without realizing, I heard myself say to Neil “I made 64 boyos and 72 burekas.” We both laughed out loud and in that moment, I knew I had joined the club.
Cooking was the way that Becky carried her history. Her father ran a small French food counter at Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles, where he fed hungry workers. During the Second World War, often there were soldiers who couldn’t afford even a few cents and he gave them credit. Later, he taught Becky how to cook dishes like sweetbreads and veal.
Becky lived a long and resilient life. Widowed young, she returned to her job at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while raising Neil on her own. She held fast to her opinions and her independence, driving well into her 90s and reading the newspaper every day until her eyesight failed. She loved Los Angeles deeply,its music, its culture, its scenic drives and its once-great department stores. She would lunch at Bullock’s Wilshire and watch the fashion shows in the main dining room. The shoe salesman at Saks had her number and would call to inform her of upcoming sales.
Becky passed away two weeks before turning 102; she was still deeply herself.
Nowadays, when my daughter Rebekah (Becky) and I bake boyos or burekas, we count them. When the rice comes out “uno por uno,” I’m not just cooking, I’m holding onto a Sephardic world I knew through Becky. A world shaped by tradition, generosity and recipes passed hand to hand.
Over the years, we have shared many of Becky’s recipes with you, dear reader. Spinach quajado has always been a favorite. Becky would make them for festive brunches and dairy Shabbat lunches. She always made a few extra and we would freeze them for future meals. I soon realized that quajado is an easy recipe and now I am able to whip one up in ten minutes.
This past month, I served quajado at the shiva for my father and now my mother-in-law. Through my sadness, I knew I still had to feed family and friends. This dish is so very simple to make, always delicious and extremely comforting.
I look forward to preparing it for the coming simchas in our family.
—Rachel
Quajado de Espinaca
(Spinach and Feta Souffle)
6 large eggs
½ cup cottage cheese
1 tsp baking powder
16 Saltine crackers, crushed or 1/2 cup matzah meal
1/2 cup milk
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 1/2 lb fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, then add the cottage cheese, baking powder, crackers, milk, Parmesan and feta cheeses and combine.
Add the spinach and mix well, ensuring that the spinach is thoroughly coated.
Grease a 9×13″ ovenproof dish and place in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour the mixture into the hot dish.
Bake for 30 minutes, until the top and sides of quajado are dark brown and crispy.
Cut into squares before serving.
Freezes well for up to 3 months, defrost in refrigerator and warm at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Emquies Sheff have been friends since high school. The Sephardic Spice Girls project has grown from their collaboration on events for the Sephardic Educational Center in Jerusalem. Follow them on Instagram @sephardicspicegirls and on Facebook at Sephardic Spice SEC Food. Website sephardicspicegirls.com/full-recipes.
January is Veganuary, a time where people are encouraged to try out a vegan diet; perfect for those healthy eating New Years’ resolutions. It is also National Soup Month, a holiday started by Campbell’s in 1984, touting the benefits of soup, especially during the colder winter months. The following recipes combine these two “celebrations” to give you delicious, nutritious and warm options to try out.
At the Culinary Judaics Academy (CJA), they love to make hearty, warming soups this time of year. “They feed the body and soul,” chef-educator and CJA founder Danny Corsun told The Journal.
Corsun’s recipe for white bean soup isn’t just delicious, it comes with major Jewish connections. “In Judaism, white beans — mentioned in the Bible alongside lentils — represent nourishment and simplicity, staples of the ancient Israelite diet,” he said. “They later became central to Shabbat dishes like cholent, symbolizing comfort, preparation and the value of rest and sustenance.”
Enjoy!
Culinary Judaics Academy’s White Bean Soup
1 large onion
1 cup chopped carrots
3 celery stalks
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
16 oz dried large lima beans or Northern Beans (dried is far better than canned but the latter is an okay back-up – if going canned you’ll need three 16 oz cans)
32 oz. of veggie stock (either homemade or store bought; can substitute water)
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp garlic herb seasoning
1 tsp Cajun or blackening seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste
Optional: For added protein, you can add one 14 oz. brick of soft silken tofu and blend it into soup with other ingredients
If going the dried beans versus canned route: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add beans. Reduce heat, cover the pot and simmer beans until fork tender (about 30 minutes). Drain beans and set aside.
Dice onion, carrots and celery and sauté with olive oil in separate pot. Season with salt, pepper, garlic and Cajun spices. Once onions are translucent, roughly chop the tofu (if using) and add to the onion/celery mixture along with roughly chopped parsley. Continue to sauté for another 3 minutes.
FYI, the tofu provides incredible protein and once completely blended into the soup, it’s undetectable visually and taste-wise so it’s a great (and sneaky) way for parents to make sure children are getting the proper protein in their diet. It also serves as a thickening agent for the soup, if you like your soup hearty.
At this point, stir in ¾ of the cooked beans and then add stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Using a blender, blend the soup until it’s the texture you want. Stick blenders are great for a more rustic consistency. If you want a smoother soup, use a stand blender, but be sure to tightly hold the top down with a towel and be careful of the splattering hot liquid!
Once the soup is blended to a smooth and creamy consistency, return to the pot and add the remaining beans. Stir thoroughly and let simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Check for seasoning and then serve with a crispy baguette or parmesan crisp as a garnish.
Pam Stein’s roasted vegetable and lentil stew is the perfect recipe for this time of year: simple to prepare, deeply flavorful and built from wholesome ingredients. “What makes this dish special is its balance of textures and tastes,” Stein, founder of In Pam’s Kitchen, told The Journal. “Carrots, parsnips, potatoes and sweet potatoes are roasted until golden, bringing both sweetness and depth to the dish. Lentils provide a protein‑rich base, while onions, garlic and spices like smoked paprika and cumin add savory complexity.”
This hearty recipe is kosher, vegetarian and gluten-free. Pair it with crusty bread or cornbread for a rustic, comforting and delicious way to celebrate soup-centric Veganuary.
“It’s great for family dinners, potlucks or just a quiet night when you want something nourishing but don’t feel like fussing,” she said. “As a bonus, it freezes nicely, so you can stash a few portions away for those ‘I don’t want to cook’ evenings.”
Courtesy Pam Stein
Roasted Vegetable and Lentil Stew
Yield:Serves 4-6
1 cup petite baby carrots
1 cup parsnips, peeled and chopped
2 cups russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup leeks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, run through a press
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground cumin
1 cup dried green or brown lentils
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, do not drain
Crusty bread or cornbread, for serving
Optional: Feeling spicy? Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper along with the other spices
Preheat oven to 400°F.
In a large bowl toss the carrots, parsnips, potatoes and sweet potatoes with the salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
In a single layer, spread the vegetables onto a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes until golden and tender. Remove from the oven and set aside.
While the vegetables are roasting, in a large pot set over medium heat, warm remaining olive oil. Sauté leeks for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the parsley, thyme, smoked paprika, and cumin. Add cayenne pepper here, if using.
Raise heat to medium-high. Add the dried lentils, vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
Stir in the roasted vegetables. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Transfer to bowls and serve warm with crusty bread or cornbread.
On October 7, Hamas kidnapped 251 people from Israel. Soon after, the hostages’ faces were seen on posters that said “KIDNAPPED” throughout New York City. While it was comforting to see these faces at first, a battle erupted on city streets, with people tearing down the posters in defiance.
Now, that struggle is captured in the new documentary, “TORN: The Israel–Palestine Poster War on NYC Streets,” by Israeli-born, and now Brooklyn-based, filmmaker Nim Shapira. In it, he interviews 10 people – family members of the hostages, artists, and activists – and explores the themes of free speech, identity, and empathy in a time of deep polarization.
“Friends and colleagues were telling me the hostages were AI, or actors,” Shapira told the Journal. “And then people of every age group, every ethnicity, every background started ripping the posters down. It was surreal. Watching them come down was shocking, confusing, and painful — and yet I was fascinated by what the act revealed. People weren’t just ripping paper. They were expressing anger, denial, mob mentality, and in many cases, complete emotional shutdown. It felt like empathy collapsing in real time.”
“It felt like empathy collapsing in real time.”
– Nim Shapira
The 75-minute documentary is currently Oscar-qualified and under consideration for Best Documentary Feature; the Academy invited Shapira for a conversation and uploaded it to their official YouTube channel, which reaches millions. It was also recently licensed by PBS for national broadcast and international distribution.
Over the past year, Shapira has hosted more than 100 in-person screenings throughout the United States, including Ivy League campuses to Jewish community spaces to civic and interfaith organizations. Each screening was followed by honest and sometimes intense conversations with audiences.
“These discussions have become as central to the project as the film itself,” said Shapira.
Throughout the film, Shapira shows not only why the posters went up, but why people justified tearing them down. However, he said there was a common theme: “They all converged into one thing: erasing Jewish pain. The posters were being torn down, yes, but so was the social fabric of the city.”
The filmmaker, who has lived in New York City for 13 years, is cautiously hopeful about the situation there, he said, “not because things look good, but because the alternative is unlivable. New York is too diverse, too intertwined, too interdependent for permanent fracture. Our only path forward is learning to disagree without dehumanizing. Bridges aren’t built from agreement. They’re built from curiosity, humility, and the willingness to see someone else’s pain even when you don’t share it.”
While “TORN” is a snapshot of time in New York, its themes resonate across the U.S., as well as other Western cities grappling with division, antisemitism, and free speech issues.
“Antisemitism isn’t a Jewish problem, just like Asian hate isn’t a ‘problem’ for the Asian American community,” Shapira said. “These things reflect something much bigger and darker in the society we live in.”
With “TORN,” Shapira said he hopes to help people step out of their own bubble and see “the other.” He wants viewers to “question the narratives they know — and consider the possibility that multiple truths can exist at once. To disagree without dehumanizing. To hold complexity without shutting down.”
Already, the film has received positive coverage from liberal and conservative outlets, and from audiences that span Jews, Muslims, Christians, and more.
“I want ‘TORN’ to live in universities, community centers, synagogues, mosques, churches, and living rooms… anywhere people gather to try to understand one another,” Shapira said. “If the film helps even a few people pause, listen more compassionately, or rethink how they engage with people who hold different truths, then it’s already done its job.”
Diving into Courage: Strength at Depth with Lisa Niver, Author of BRAVE-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty1. What does being BRAVE mean to you?
Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared — it means you move forward with the fear. To me, bravery is choosing to stay present in the uncertainty of life. It shows up in the moments when we’re underwater and the world goes still, and also in the moments when we’re sitting alone with our own story, deciding whether we’re willing to tell the truth. Being brave is letting yourself be seen. Divers literally step off the edge into the unknown blue and trust our training, our buddy, and our breath.
“Bravery is the willingness to keep going when the outcome is not guaranteed. It’s choosing curiosity over comfort.”2. One of the most brave things is being vulnerable—and you did just that in your book, laying out personal stories. What was the scariest part of that process?
Honestly, every part was scary. It was hard to write the book. Turning it into my publisher and waiting for it to publish was a bit terrifying as well. When you’re underwater, you trust your training: your regulator will deliver air, your BCD will lift you. But in writing my story, there was no regulator, no gauge, no buddy check. It was just me and the truth, wondering how people would receive it.
The fear was: What will happen when people actually read this?
And then — the beautiful surprise — so many people said:
“Your story made me feel less alone.”
That’s when I knew the risk was worth it.
Sharing my truth meant releasing control over how others might react. The day BRAVE-ish came out, I thought, People are going to know all of this about me. But the notes I received were beautiful — people saying, “Your story makes me feel less alone.” That connection made every moment of fear worthwhile.
Diving Palancar Gardens in Cozumel with Punta Sur Divers, Photo by Catalina Velasco3. What does it mean to “continue,” not just to start, but to stay open, curious, and brave again?
Starting is exciting. Continuing is the work. Anyone can start something once.
But staying open—continuing to stretch, restart, return—that is where courage lives.
In diving, every descent is new — even if you’ve been to the site before.
Conditions change, currents shift, visibility evolves. We adapt.
Life is the same.
We keep showing up.
We keep practicing wonder.
We keep learning.
We keep choosing wonder over withdrawal.
We keep choosing to try again — even when it would be easier not to.
Lisa and Cris diving Palancar Gardens in Cozumel with Punta Sur Divers, Photo by Catalina Velasco4. If you could leave DEMA attendees with one thought about courage (both in diving and in life), what would it be?Have a buddy.
We understand this in diving, but we sometimes forget it in life. Courage doesn’t have to be solo.
In diving, we have buddy checks, safety signals, and shared awareness.
In life, we sometimes forget we’re allowed to ask for that same support.
Find your community — your underwater tribe, your creative circle, your people.
Courage becomes easier when we know we won’t have to surface alone. Let people help you hold the weight of the world when it feels like too much. And be willing to do the same for them.
5. Do you think courage can ripple outward? If bravery is contagious, what kind of ripple do you hope to start here at DEMA?
Absolutely. Courage creates echoes.
I recently spoke with the CHUM Scuba Club in Houston on Zoom, and it is powerful to share stories with people who understand the language of depth — literally and emotionally.
One diver says “I tried.”
Another says “Maybe I can try too.”
And suddenly, a wave moves through a community.
As BRAVE-ish celebrates its second birthday here in the Authors Corner at DEMA, my hope is this ripple:
Your story matters.Your voice matters.The ocean has room for you — exactly as you are.
If my being brave helps one other person take a step toward their own courage — then that’s a wave worth making. Courage is contagious. The diving community knows how to hold each other. We leap together. We learn together. That’s courage — shared.
RECENT DIVES:
Cozumel:
Beyond the Slopes, Southern California’s Refined Mountain Sanctuary. This guide is for couples, families, solo travelers, sports teams, and retreat leaders who want a curated Big Bear escape instead of a crowded, hit-or-miss weekend.
Many people get Big Bear Lake wrong. They arrive on a random winter weekend, book whichever cabin looks good online, (often disappointing) then spend the trip in traffic, waiting for tables, and paying peak prices for average conditions. Big Bear rewards strategy. The right timing, the right lodging location, and informed planning turn this accessible mountain town into one of Southern California’s most quietly refined winter escapes. From immersive alpine adventures to intimate lodge stays, from family-friendly snow play to solo midweek resets, restorative retreats and romantic weekends, the experience shifts with your choices. This guide shows you how to plan each version well.
In this issue.
Big Bear at a Glance.
What Big Bear IS (and Isn’t).
The Ultimate Long Weekend: When to Visit This Winter.
For Families: Stress-Free Mountain Fun
For Couples: Romance & Privacy
For Solo Travelers: Restoration & Reflection.
For Groups & Retreats: Shared Experiences.
Meet the new Big Bear High Altitude Training Center (HATC).
For Non-Skiers (And What If There’s No Snow?)
For Adventure Seekers: High-Adrenaline Experiences
Resort Comparison: Which Mountain is Right for You?
Getting there.
The Bottom Line: What Makes Big Bear Special
In the next issue: Accommodation recs, favorite shops and restaurants, how to book VIP packages (private chefs, wine tastings, ski delivery, personal training), and insider booking tips to level up your visit.
Big Bear at a Glance.
Drive Time: 2-3-ish hours from LA, San Diego, Central Coast
Peak Season: January-February for fresh powder | March-April for spring skiing Best Long Weekend: February 14-17, 2025 (Valentine’s Day + President’s Day = 4 days!)
California’s most authentic mountain escape sits just a few hours away. Refreshingly unpretentious. Utterly transformative. Before you know it, you will be soaking in a private hot tub with champagne chilled, surrounded by snow-covered… well everything, and a mountain community that knows exactly when to show up with impeccable service.
What Big Bear IS (and Isn’t).
Big Bear is an intimate mountain community that offers as much luxury and privacy as you desire, with as much warmth and connection as you need. Let’s be clear: You won’t find Olympic-scale ski runs or international resort glitz, and that’s exactly the point.
Craving an adrenaline rush? Hit the terrain parks and ziplines. Need slow mornings meant for sleeping in and casual strolls through The Village in search of good coffee and the occasional boutique find? That’s there too. Big Bear embodies “townsizing” – the latest micro-trend where travelers are redefining traditional vacations by choosing small towns over crowded destinations. It’s about the experience rather than checking boxes on an itinerary. Big Bear gives you permission to just be.
You’ll find private estates with chef’s kitchens and mountaintop dining with stunning lake views, but also local diners where the waitress knows everyone’s order. It’s that rare destination where you can have champagne in a hot tub at sunset, then grab beers at a honky-tonk bar where being ignored by the staff means you’ve officially become a regular.
Accommodations span the full spectrum: From newly renovated boutique hotels offering concierge service, daily housekeeping, and waterfront dining, to private cabins and mountain estates providing the autonomy of full kitchens and secluded hot tubs. Choose hotel luxury for a fully serviced experience, or cabin privacy for flexibility, however many properties blur the line, offering both resort amenities and residential-style space.
You will find:
Concierge services: Private chefs, freshly ground coffee and wine tastings delivered to your cabin, ski equipment drop-off and picked up, personal training, mobile spa services, Just ask your advisor for these VIP packages.
Flexible stays for all budgets: Ultra-luxe private estates for romance, families or groups (think bridal parties or showers with your besties, and/or wellness retreats), or budget-conscious cabins for those who want to experience Big Bear without the price tag.
Community that reads the room: Helpful when you need guidance, and respectful when you want solitude.
Accessible luxury: A few hours’ drive from LA, or a plane ride. Big Bear has it’s own high-elevation airport for private planes, not large commercial jets. Want to skip the drive? Let them know, they will come get you!
The Ultimate Long Weekend: When to Visit This Winter.
The 4-Day Escape:
February 14-17, 2025
Here’s the gift the 2025 calendar is giving you: Valentine’s Day falls on Friday, February 14, rolling directly into President’s Day weekend with Monday, February 17 off. This natural 4-day escape works whether you’re planning a romantic proposal, retreat, solo time, or family ski adventure.
Why mid-February is peak season: The mountain has optimal snow conditions, early-season ice buried under fresh powder, snow making systems at full capacity, temperatures cold enough for consistent quality. This is when everything clicks.
Book NOW: Most properties book 4-6 weeks in advance. Restaurant reservations fill 3 weeks out. Lift tickets should be purchased online immediately.
Also consider: MLK Weekend (January 18-20, 2025) for a great 3-day getaway with fewer crowds and lower rates than peak February.
Beyond the Holiday Rush: Create Your Own Long Weekend.
Prefer solitude over buzz? Any weekend can become your personal mountain retreat. Take a random Friday or Monday off, and suddenly you have the mountain largely to yourself. Lift lines disappear, restaurant reservations are easy, and accommodation rates drop 20-30%. Mid-week visits (Tuesday-Thursday) are even quieter.
For travelers who plan their travel around spring break and the Easter or Passover holidays, late March through early April offers a quieter, warmer version of Big Bear. Natural snowfall is lighter later in the season, and conditions depend on recent storms or snowmaking, but Big Bear still offers skiing, village time, wellness, and outdoor activities for every travel style. These months combine seasonal events, open mountain amenities, and lingering winter conditions into a softer close to the season.
For Observant Jewish Families:
Big Bear and the surrounding mountains have a welcoming Jewish presence that makes seasonal travel feel more inclusive. Chabad of Lake Arrowhead & Big Bear hosts community programming including the annual Menorah Lighting and Chanukah celebration in The Village, with festive activities, music, and family-friendly moments to mark the Festival of Lights each holiday season. While Big Bear does not have a full-time synagogue or large permanent Jewish community, Chabad serves locals and visitors alike and can help with holiday information, prayer needs, and guidance on kosher dining or services. chabadonthemountain.org
For kosher observant visitors, options on the mountain itself are limited, so plan ahead and consider packing or arranging meals before you arrive. For nearby kosher food and meal services within driving distance, you can source supplies or meals in the Los Angeles. Many families also arrange kosher catering or meal delivery from LA before their trip so that Shabbat, holiday meals, and everyday dining are covered while in Big Bear.
There are several vegan restaurants in Big Bear but none that are kosher specifically. In the next issue I will provide links to those restaurants.
If you are planning an event and need kosher catering, there are caterers who can accommodate that.
For Families: Stress-Free Mountain Fun.
Why Big Bear works for families: Kids progress at their own pace, parents can relax because learning slopes are visible from lodges, and if someone needs a break, you’re minutes from your cabin, not trapped on a mountain.
Your Experience:
Cabins with full kitchens (cook gourmet meals in sweatpants vs. 90-minute restaurant waits) or have a chef prepare them.
Private estates with multiple bedrooms and one central family room with fireplace for games and family time.
Snow Valley for beginner-friendly dedicated learning areas.
Snow Summit for mixed skill levels with stunning lake views.
Night skiing (starting Dec 26) at Snow Summit and Snow Valley.
A variety of activities throughout Big Bear for those who don’t ski or those low/no ski days. Scroll down for a list.
Pro Tip: Book accommodation with full kitchens and have your morning coffee on your private deck. Watching the sun rise over the lake, tops any restaurant experience, and gives you flexibility when kids have energy crashes. Book ski lessons for the kiddos while you take pics or book a photographer for those special memories!
For Couples: Romance, Privacy and Those Views!
Why Big Bear works for romance: Big Bear makes romance easy. Think panoramic lake views from 8,200 feet, snow-draped pine forests, and sunsets that set Big Bear Lake ablaze in coral and amber, creating proposal or wedding backdrops worthy of the moment! Naturally cinematic, no staging required. This is where you slow down, celebrate each other, with the only decision being champagne before dinner or after.
Your Experience:
Private cabins with hot tubs overlooking snow-covered hills.
Boutique lodges or hotels with French château vibes and heated pools.
Lakeside dining with live piano (book early for best reservations).
Mountaintop dining at 8,200 feet with lake views.
Scenic ski runs on Snow Summit.
Mobile spa services just for you.
The Proposal Moment: Time it for 5-6 PM on Valentine’s Day at Snow Summit’s scenic overlooks when sunset hits the lake perfectly. Book a photographer through your advisor or cabin host (they know the discreet pros). Bury champagne in a snowbank while you’re skiing for a perfectly chilled celebration or have someone keep it on ice.
Followed by dinner at a lake view restaurant with a pianist playing something jazzy, and by the time the first pour of Château Latour meets the lakeside breeze, your phone will be the last thing on your mind.
For Groups & Retreats: Reset, Wellness, Renewal or Team Building .
Why Big Bear works for groups:
Varied terrain for different skill levels for hiking or skiing, a huge variety of activities & resort options, different types of accommodations (hotels & cabins sleeping 8-14 or multiple connected cabins), and flexible budgets. Perfect for corporate retreats, wellness retreats, weddings, family reunions, and sports teams seeking high-altitude training and bonding time.
Your Experience:
Retreats centered around art, wellness, and nature with socially oriented amenities providing opportunities to foster connections or maintain solitude, your choice.
Accommodations with community rooms and massive fireplaces which serve as headquarters for group gatherings.
Night programming such as fire pit conversations, dinners together prepped by a chef so you don’t have to cook, game nights, or live entertainment.
Activities: Split mornings by skill level across different resorts, regroup for mountaintop lunch, scatter for afternoon adventures (slopes, spa, or Village exploring), then gather for evening rituals.
Meet the newBig Bear High Altitude Training Center (HATC).
Nestled in the picturesque mountains of Big Bear, California, there is a “one-stop shop” for physical excellence. HATC is a game-changer for sports teams, endurance athletes, MMA fighters, and wellness retreats looking to combine altitude training with a mountain getaway.
Elevation training benefits (7,000+ ft altitude)
Full-service gym, with specialized MMA/boxing training, yoga studio for mental and physical balance.
Advanced recovery tools such as cryotherapy,
A golf simulator.
Perfect for: College sports teams, professional athletes, corporate wellness retreats.
Nearby resort access for team building + training combo Proximity to resorts for after-training recreation.
Big Bear’s secret weapon: If snow isn’t cooperating or you’re not a skier, you’re not stuck. The resort’s powerful snow making covers 400+ acres even in low-snow days, but beyond that, the valley offers genuine depth.
Aside from the activities below, there are annual fun community events you may want to join in as well. Signature annual events include Oktoberfest, the Big Bear Turkey Trot, Polar Plunge, Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, the Big Bear Triathlon, Fourth of July fireworks, Christmas in the Village, and seasonal resort festivals and concerts.
For Solo Travelers: Restoration and Reflection or just Quiet Time to Work.
Why Big Bear works for solo adventures or nomads: The community is intuitive, authentic, never intrusive. You can be as social or solitary as you want and that choice shifts day by day without explanation.
Personal insight: I drove to Big Bear on the anniversary of my father’s passing, needing a place to write, reflect, and simply be. What I found was a transformative rhythm, evenings lost in my journal or a book, listening to jazz and the crackle of fire. Mornings restored by rekindling that fire with my coffee while the world slowly stirred. The mountain air cleared my mind and the community offered quiet compassion without intrusion. True luxury is finding exactly what your soul needs.
Your Experience:
Reliable Wi‑Fi in cabins and cafés so you can deep-focus by day and unplug by night.
Mountain homes with fireplaces, kitchens, and views that turn ordinary evenings into slow, intentional rituals.
Meditative morning skiing or snowshoeing through forest silence before the lifts and roads wake up.
Lakeside journaling spots at Boulder Bay where water and mountains meet in one still, grounding view.
Local coffee shops and wine bars where conversations start naturally when you’re ready to be social.
Wellness touches like customized facials and mobile spa treatments brought right to your door.
For Adventure Seekers:
Your Experience:
Bear Mountain: SoCal’s largest terrain parks with high-performance halfpipes
Advanced runs: Black diamond terrain at both major resorts
Night skiing (starting Dec 26): Ski under stars at Snow Summit and Snow Valley
Action Zipline Tours: Soar through pine forests
Big Bear Ropes Course: High-altitude challenge in the trees
Helicopter tours: Bird’s-eye view of San Bernardino peaks
Off-road ATV adventures: Bounce through national forest trails
Big Bear Speedway: Go-kart racing with mountain views
Resort Comparison: Which Mountain is Right for You?
Resort
Best For
Vibe
Terrain
Night Skiing
Snow Summit
Intermediates, families, scenic lovers
Relaxed, view-focused
20% beginner, 60% intermediate, 20% advanced
Yes (Dec 26+)
Bear Mountain
Advanced skiers, terrain park enthusiasts
High-energy, park-focused
15% beginner, 40% intermediate, 45% advanced
No
Snow Valley
Beginners, young families, first-timers
Supportive, non-intimidating
30% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced
Yes (Dec 26+)
Quick Decision:
Kids under 10 learning → Snow Valley
Want lake views → Snow Summit
Never skied before → Snow Valley
Live for terrain parks → Bear Mountain
Getting there. Road Update: All Routes to Big Bear Now Open
Highway 330 → 18 (Running Springs): White-knuckle switchbacks that’ll make your passengers grip the door handle, but the payoff is spectacular. When the 330 merges into the 18, the landscape opens up a little then comes that final sweeping turn where Big Bear Lake suddenly reveals itself, blue and endless against snow-dusted peaks. Worth every hairpin.
Highway 18 (Lucerne Valley): High desert drama meets alpine ascent. Stark Joshua tree vistas give way to granite formations and pine forests. Plus, you’re right on the doorstep of Southern California’s best hiking spots. The Pacific Crest Trail access, Holcomb Valley, Gold Mountain.
Highway 38 (Redlands/Angelus Oaks): The less stressful drive. Wind through orange groves into San Bernardino National Forest, with the tiny mountain hamlet of Angelus Oaks marking your entry into alpine territory. Softer curves, forest canopy, the most forgiving grade if altitude affects you.
Choose your route: 330 for drama, 18 for exploration, 38 for stress free.
Getting to Big Bear
The Bottom Line: What Makes Big Bear Special
Your alpine sanctuary sits just a few hours from everyday life. Big Bear does not try to match Tahoe’s scale or international resort status. It has become something more, an exclusive mountain community where where you choose your pace, your privacy, and your level of service. From fully hosted stays to simple, self-guided escapes, the experience adjusts to you. From private chefs and ski delivery to quiet days that need nothing at all.
Whether you are planning a proposal, a family ski trip with your children, a solo reset, or a group retreat, Big Bear offers a rhythm that rewards presence over performance.
Coming Up in Part 2. January 2026.
In our next guide, we’ll share:
Specific accommodation recommendations for every budget and travel style.
Favorite restaurants, coffee shops, and wine experiences with insider tips.
Best boutiques and shops worth your time in The Village
How to book VIP packages: private chefs, wine tastings, ski equipment delivery, personal training, mobile spa services
Exact booking strategies to secure the best properties for your vacation or weekend.
Hidden gems locals don’t want you to know about (but we’re telling you anyway)
If you need more info about Big Bear and cannot wait for the next edition, feel free to reach out to me at Contact@luxetravelpartner.com.
Ready to book your next travel adventure? Contact me today to craft your personalized experience. With exclusive local partnerships, insider itineraries, and seamless logistics handling, I’ll transform your destination into your next unforgettable reality. Reach out to me at the email below. Alternatively, complete the form with your dates and interests for your (and or your loved one’s) upcoming trip. These memories will warm your heart for years to come.
Complete the form below for more information about booking your trip, or email me at Contact@luxetravelpartner.com. You can also find more information about my agency at www.luxetravelpartner.com.
Why Big Bear works for groups: 
