Lipa @ pomegranate

It may not have been a theatre stage, but it was riveting nevertheless.

Feet suddenly acquired a mind of their own, they wouldn’t stop dancing to the live sounds of Lipa singing sets from his latest CD, 24/6 Lipa.  Lipa chose Pomegranate Supermarket to launch this CD at a free concert. Why? Because this was the best place to reach the Brooklyn oilom on short notice. The supermarket’s clientele flocks to it because it is interested in its unique offerings and that is precisely the demographics that Lipa wants to reach.

Kulam ahuvim, kulam brurim, kulam giborim, kulam kedoshim...

Uveeni Malkeinee

It was hard not to feel the emotions, it was hard not to sing along, it was hard no to dance, it was hard not to follow the crowd. The audience was electrified and, as if obeying a higher command, really got into the spirit of the music. With the exception of three techno sets, Lipa sang the rest of the songs on this  new CD. Like most of the audience I too was captivated and got into the frenzy.

If you are among the counted few who do not know Lipa, suffice it to say that he’s produced 10 very successful CDs, so far; he’s been in thousands of shows, he’s worked with the greatest entertainment legends in the world of Jewish music and he’s traveled around the globe being mesame’ach countless Jewish hearts.

I actually got to talk to him after the show and found him unassuming, humble and grateful to his audience. He hasn’t allowed his fame to go his head, that is precisely the main reason (besides his tremendous showmanship!) that makes him so popular.

CS

Summertime, and the Cruisin’ is Easy

Summertime, vacation time! You’ve worked hard all year, saved up a few dollars and you just need to get out of town, leave behind the oppressive heat, relax a bit at sea. But… that’s not always been so easy for a frum yid… Well, it is now!

There are a few companies offering Glatt Kosher Cruises and Tours. Kosherica has their Music Festival at Sea, Summer 2010 (August 1-8),  what an opportunity to chill, what an opportunity to recharge your batteries away from the hassle and bustle of the city, amidst performances by Dudu Fisher, Avraham Fried, Lipa Schmeltzer, Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot and more.

The all-inclusive package will travel the waters of the Atlantic Ocean to Canada and New England, with ports of call in Maine and Novia Scotia. The ship will leave and return to port in Bayonne, New Jersey, allowing tri-state area residents the convenience of a local port of call.

Kosherica, a family-run organization, is the leader of glatt kosher cruises since 1992, with family members on every cruise to ensure the best and signature Kosherica quality possible.

Those who book passage on Kosherica’s Jewish Music Festival at Sea will be experiencing world-class luxurious accommodations; daily minyanim and shiurim by Rabbi Steven Weil and Stephen J. Savitsky of the Orthodox Union; incredible gourmet food that is both glatt kosher and chalav yisrael; and all to a live soundtrack of the best in Jewish music, with world-class entertainers from a variety of music genres that run the gamut of Jewish music.

Offy Schiffman, Kosherica’s Culinary Director, stated, “The whole point of going on a Kosherica cruise is to experience a five star luxury vacation that has world class glatt kosher gourmet cuisine, which is very rare. Additionally, Kosherica cruise passengers can travel and see the world in style, rather than staying stationary their whole vacation. Finally, considering the all-inclusive price that covers amazing luxury ocean-liner accommodations, strictly kosher food, and entertainment, it’s really one of the most affordable ways to take a vacation.”

“Nu, so what’s on the menu,” you ask? Kosherica’s food, as always, will be top-notch, carefully prepared to the highest caliber by culinary teams trained by Chef Arik Porat, of the Dan Arcadia in Israel. Dishes will span international cuisine and include grilled rib-eye steak; rack of veal; duck l’orange; eggplant gratin; lasagna Florentine; moussaka; risotto; and vegetarian paella. There will be fish and vegetarian options for the entrée at every meal for those who do not eat red meat, and special requests – such as no salt or low fat – will be honored.  Everything on the menu will be glatt kosher and chalav yisrael, and supervised by expert mashgichim. Wifey may be an excellent cook, the restaurants in the city are great, but such mouth watering offerings while the whole family is relaxing at sea? What could be better?!?!?

As for the cruise’s main attraction, Jewish music will permeate the air at every turn, with concerts by Fisher, Fried and Schmeltzer, all veteran performers who engage the audience and ensure a rousing time is had by all. Helfgot, Benzion Miller, and Daniel Gildar, all celebrated cantors, will participate in an exciting concert that will add an element of awe-inspiring liturgical music into the cruise as well. I’ve heard all three, each has a unique quality to his voice, each has his unique musical interpretations; each will stir your heart!

Finally, as if that wasn’t enough to satisfy the most demanding vacationer, the ship will make stops in Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine the Bay of Fundy at New Brunswick, and Halifax, Novia Scotia. All sites are rich with history, replete with museums, lighthouses, art galleries, and the rustic beauty of nature at its finest. Exploring these seaside villages offer an extraordinary experience on land, which are perfect to complement the adventures at sea.

Passengers from the previous Kosherica Jewish music cruise called it “the best vacation of my life”; “like a five-star Jewish version of Woodstock”; “on a scale of one to ten, ten being the best, this vacation was a ten-plus”.

Kosherica’s Jewish Music Festival at Sea is the perfect getaway for groups, couples or families. For more information, visit http://www.kosherica.com or call 877-724-5567.