Tribute to Shalit. Dudu Fisher during cruise
צילום: Dena Wimpfheimer
Jewish Music Festival at Sea attracts hundreds
Concerts during seven day excursion around the Caribbean feature some of the biggest names in Jewish music, popular cantors
The Jewish Music Festival at Sea which sailed around the Caribbean attracted over 700 guests from around the world, including over 60 from Israel. The seven day excursion featured some of the biggest names in Jewish music including Broadway star Dudu Fisher, Avraham Fried and Lipa Schmeltzer along with one of the largest collection of popular Jewish Cantors, most from Israel.
The cruise, which sailed from January 24th through the 31st was designed to coincide with the traditional Torah reading of Az Yashir, the Song of the Seas. “It is such a pleasure to have created an event of such musical talent, especially on such a special weekend,” said Yehuda Shifman, President of Kosherica.
All food was prepared on board the ship by award winning chefs from some of the best hotels in Israel. “This cruise signals an important development in the world of Jewish travel by showing that kosher observing consumers don’t need to settle when it comes to a quality travel option,” said David Walles, CEO of Eddie’s Travel, marketing partner of Kosherica Cruises.
Ports of call included St. Thomas, Grand Turks and Puerto Rico with land excursions to Jewish sites and culture in the area. In addition to the musical highlights, one being Dudu Fisher singing the famous ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables dedicated to captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, the program featured regular addresses from Rabbi Stevel Weil, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union and Rabbi Shlomo Lipsker, well known lecturer and founder of the Alef Institute which were attended by hundreds of passengers.
With a staff of 50 working in the kitchen and 100 in the dining room, this was the largest size Kosher group to ever go on a cruise. Over 100 kilograms of meat were prepared daily to serve the guests in addition to all breads and cakes baked fresh, according to the chefs.
“This was our first cruise,” said Helen Goldmunz from Jerusalem, on board with her husband, Menachem. “We would love to go on another one, perhaps to Alaska.”
