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March 31, 2005
Pesach Trip Options Beyond the Ordinary
Passover travel once meant shlepping to Miami Beach, where great operatic tenors like Robert Merrill and Jan Peerce would conduct the seder at a fancy-schmancy hotel, or to the Catskills, which was more haimish but just as fattening.
But Passover travel options today have expanded to include experiences ranging from Disney World to the Caribbean to a dude ranch in Wyoming. And you can get some decent deals on Miami Beach, too.
Eat, Daven, Eat on the High Seas
Performing cantors, adventurous shore excursions and all-you-can-eat sushi are on the menu when Kosherica sets sail. The company\’s most recent run, departing Ft. Lauderdale for seven days in the Eastern Caribbean, was no exception. Dudu Fisher inaugurated a string of shows, well supported by a handful of maritime mashgichim, midnight buffets and even Shabbat services aboard the five-star Celebrity Millennium luxury liner.
Hawaiian Getaway on Road to Hana
Far from Kihei and Lahaina rests another side of Maui. A remarkably picturesque three-hour drive leads you into the heart of a rain forest, and an astounding number of bridges, waterfalls and lookouts punctuate the trip.
Known as the Road to Hana, the route is so popular it supports a small industry of audio tours that narrate the journey and serve up the island\’s history. The Hana Highway dates back to 1926, when much of it was constructed with cinders. It wasn\’t until 1962 that the state paved over it with asphalt, but countless potholes helped coin the phrase, \”I survived the Hana Highway.\” Only in the early 1990s did major upgrades make it a much more pleasant experience.
High Marks for Jewish Swimmers
\”Watermarks\” is a life-affirming documentary that celebrates the constancy of courage and grace, from youth to old age.\n\nIts setting is the waltz-loving Austria of the 1920s and \’30s, where the lithe young swimmers of the fabled Hakoah (\”the strength\”) Vienna sports club are beating their \”Aryan\” rival clubs year after year.\n\nFreestyler Judith Deutsch alone breaks 12 national records in 1935 and is the toast of the town, until she refuses to compete for Austria at Hitler\’s 1936 Olympic Games. As punishment, she is barred from competition for life and all her marks are erased from the official record books.\n\nAfter the Reich\’s takeover of Austria in 1938, the swimmers scatter to Palestine, the United States and England, marry and establish professional careers.\n\nSome 65 years later, Israeli director Yaron Zilberman decided to track down eight of the swimmers, now in their 80s, in their adopted countries.
At Method Fest, It’s All About the Acting
When it comes to film festivals, Calabasas is far off the beaten path for the Sundance crowd. But there\’s method to the madness of film lovers who beat a path to Calabasas in the first week of April.
The seventh annual Method Fest claims to be the nation\’s only festival that specifically celebrates actors and their performances. This year\’s lineup includes significant works with Jewish themes. There are films about the Holocaust, contemporary Jewish families and Israeli-Palestinian issues among the 25 feature films and 47 short films. The festival also features panel discussions, workshops and special events.
A Hard Rain
Weather has always been an important determinant in Los Angeles\’ history. The twin effects of floods and drought from 1861-1864 completely finished off whatever remained of the rancho way of life, where dons reigned over thousands of acres of land and huge herds of cattle.
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