Time is a funny concept. Some days it feels like time is so slow, and that a couple of hours feels like several weeks. Conversely, some days it feels like weeks or months just breezed by in a few sunsets and sunrises. Our perception of time has changed a lot since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many people stuck at home are finding their body clocks interrupted by the restriction to going outdoors. With our chance to go on kosher cruises delayed, let’s find some other ways to spend our time and keep ourselves busy. You can read up on Jewish history and grow closer to your heritage. Here are a few snippets of Jewish history that might fascinate you. The Bird’s Head Haggadah Haggadahs are an essential part of Pesach. They are primarily used in Seder meals, containing teachings and instructions on Jewish history to be read at the table. Some Haggadahs are mass produced and sold cheaply, while others are ancient or have been passed down to generations. One example of a unique Haggadah is the Bird’s Head Haggadah, known for its depiction of Jews as lion-maned, eagle-headed beings. While it is easy to construe this Medieval book as an insult to Jews, the style of the book is otherwise well-done, with respectful portrayals of Medieval Jewish life. It has been theorised that the Jews presented within this Haggadah are in fact Griffons, mythical creatures that symbolise honor and nobility. The Haggadah can be found in the Israel Museum of Jerusalem. The Kosher Sausage of Portugal If you’ve ever gone on Kosher Europe tours through the Iberian Peninsula, chances are that you’ve heard about the alheira. The alheira is a kind of Portugese sausage made from bread and chicken, and is considered a national delicacy. However, it’s origins are actually quite Jewish, and was in fact first developed as a defense mechanism against the Portugese Inquisition. When Inquisitors would pass by houses owned by Jews hiding their faith, the household would hang alheira sausages, fooling the Inquisitors that pork (a non-kosher food) was being eaten therein. This kosher sausage saved many lives during a difficult time in Portugal, and if you’re interested in trying something new, you can Google an alheira recipe for yourself online.
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Once the world is declared safe from the pandemic, what do you think is the best thing to do? Travel! If there’s one thing that the virus taught us, it is to appreciate the wonderful gifts that nature has given to us. Now with Jewish travel and tours companies getting ready for the future, what is the best destination to explore first? The only answer is the South East Asian paradise of the Mekong - the river that flows through the glorious nations of Vietnam and Cambodia. Why is this river the perfect one for your next Jewish trips? Here are the reasons! The Food Gastronomy is one of the most exquisite things that Vietnam and Cambodia can offer. These nations are known for their spices and flavors after all. What are the best dishes in these countries? Vietnam’s globally known pho will always come to the top, but you can also experience the banh mi, a light and fresh Vietnamese sandwich that will make you say ngon! In Cambodian soil, don’t forget to taste their national dish - amok! Made of fish, coconut, and curry paste. If you want something authentic to start the day, eat nom banh chok - rice noodles topped with green fish gravy and lots of fresh vegetables. Yum! Just be sure to double-check the ingredients that they’re using. Some of these recipes use prawns and other non-kosher ingredients. The Destinations
If you will join a Mekong river cruise with Kosher River Cruises, you will be guaranteed to have in-depth tours through the important cities of Vietnam and Cambodia, such as:
The current pandemic has severely reduced our chances to travel. Kosher resorts are closed, tourist destinations are empty, and even places that we’re used to visiting, like our community synagogues and kosher restaurants are more or less vacant. Most of us are stuck at home, only leaving the house to get groceries or go to work with a mask on. While the situation is a bit dire right now, COVID-19 will not last forever, and there will be a chance to travel far and wide once again. One great locale to visit on a future Jewish heritage tour is Amsterdam, Capital of Holland/The Netherlands. Here are a few reasons why. A Place of Sephardic Jewish history and heritage The Iberian Peninsula was once the home of the Sephardic Jews, who lived in relative prosperity under the Umayyad Caliphate from the 8th Century to the 13th Century. How does this relate to Amsterdam? Well, after the 1492 Alhambra Decree by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, countless Sephardic Jews were forced to flee their homes and live elsewhere. Some went to neighboring Portugal, facing their own struggles against the Portuguese Inquisition. Some went to different cities in France, such as Bayonne, where they introduced chocolate to the city. One of the more tolerant places of refuge for the Sephardic Jews (and later Ashkenazi Jews, when different circumstances would bring them to Holland) was the city of Amsterdam, where they grew prosperous in trade in commerce. It was, at one point, dubbed a Mokum, or safe haven for Jews. The Anne Frank House
The story of Anne Frank was immortalized with the publishing of her novel, A Diary of a Young Girl. Although she died tragically with most of her family in World War 2, the physical memory of her life can be witnessed and visited in the Anne Frank House, found near the heart of Amsterdam. Jewish tours through Holland are most enriched by a visit to this museum, a peek into the life of a Jewish girl during World War 2. |
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