Comments

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  Buzzy Gordon November 19, 2011 at 4:05am

  Award for Jewish Heritage project

  The Old Synagogue (http://alte-synagoge.erfurt.de) in Erfurt, Germany has been named as the best new European tourist project for 2011.

  The historic synagogue was recognised with this prestigious award at the British Guild of Travel Writers Annual Awards Dinner at the Savoy Hotel, London.

  'Lost' for centuries, the 'Alte Synagoge' was rediscovered a decade or so ago in the capital of the German province of Thuringia. Now recognised as Central Europe's oldest synagogue, this fine old building and its museum open a window into daily life 650 years ago. Much of the structure survives, from the outer walls to the 13th century Gothic rose window. Inside, the museum (opened in October 2009) displays extraordinary medieval treasures.

  More details: press@visit-luther.com
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  Ed Wetschler November 16, 2011 at 11:38pm

  Buzzy, I've always associated the Hollywood crowd with Aspen. You practically trip over them at every ski lift. Some do go to Deer Valley (and Sundance, which isn't in Park City), as well, but I'm curious as to how many visit the Canyons, which has a different ambience than Deer Valley. Still, as you say, somebody probably studied the market, and no doubt the Canyons will be targeting that market through Jewish newspapers etc.
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  Buzzy Gordon November 16, 2011 at 11:37pm

  Ed's comment reminds me of the kosher restaurant on Cozumel, an even more unlikely place to have one. It features Israeli food -- and is, in fact, very good at what it does. Surprisingly, though, no Mexican dishes, which are what visiting cruise ship passengers who care might want to taste. I cannot imagine there is enough business to sustain it; but it could survive if donors to the local synagogue (a Chabad House) subsidize it as well.
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  Buzzy Gordon November 16, 2011 at 11:29pm

  Presumably, the owners know their market, and determined there were enough practicing Jews coming to Park City -- a favorite retreat for the LA and Hollywood crowds -- to justify the move. Certainly, if the food is good -- and non-Jews join their Jewish friends to eat there -- there is no reason it should not succeed. 
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  Ed Wetschler November 16, 2011 at 10:58pm

  Can Bistro at Canyons, a new glatt kosher restaurant at the Canyons Ski Resort in Park City, succeed?
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  David Paul Appell October 27, 2011 at 3:07pm

  If anyone is interested in Sephardic Jewish history in Spain, I recently posted on Jews in Majorca on the Iberostar blog: http://passportto.iberostar.com/2011/10/jews-in-spain-majorcas-secr...
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  Travel Harmony July 30, 2011 at 1:24am

  There are Jewish sites and communities to be found in most places.  I specialize in travel to Australia and New Zealand but also do a good bit of customized travel in Europe.  I try to point my Jewish clients to the communites  or get guides to take them on specific Jewish tours.  We are everywhere and its nice to be able to meet others Jews while travelling.
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  David Paul Appell June 27, 2011 at 9:21pm

  Did you hear the one about the Jewish gaucho?  No joke, actually - here's a piece from this past weekend's Washington Post that talks about an "Argentine Borscht Belt":
  
  http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/jewish-gaucho-tradition-fades-i...

   

  All I can say is "oy, che...!"
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  Buzzy Gordon June 25, 2011 at 5:53am

  A terrific article, on several levels:  http://www.jidaily.com/thetouristsdilemma/e

  jidaily.com
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  José Balido May 11, 2011 at 4:46pm

  Great article about Mallorca, Buzzy! I wasn't aware of that community and its history of persecution. Ironic, considering that recent DNA studies reported in the New York Times have shown that 20% of Iberians have Jewish heritage. Anecdotally, my grandmother always told me that her grandparents used to cover mirrors when someone in the family died, which to me implies they may have been descended from conversos, likely without even realizing it.
  
  I do wonder why it is that governments never come out and apologize? Whether it's the Japanese for the rape of Nanking, or Americans for slavery, or the Spanish for the Inquisition, they hem and haw and never come out and say "We're sorry." Could it be that an apology opens the way for reparations demands? Or are they really not that sorry?