What’s Special About Going On A Pesach Program?
By: Evey Joseph Leibow
Why go on a Pesach program? Everyone knows that the traditional way to spend the holiday is at home with family, enjoying the classic home-cooked meals and basking in family traditions. So why mess with a good thing?
There are lots of reasons. One of the first benefits of going on a Pesach program is that you get to bypass all the time-consuming preparations. Let someone else do all the work! And let’s be clear: that’s not wrong. Being able to skip the headache of cleaning and turning over your kitchen, cooking, serving, cleaning up, then rinse and repeat, is amazing. But aside from the obvious fact that it means you’re saving time and energy going on a Passover program, it also means you get to actually enjoy yourself by going on relaxing, adventurous, and entertaining excursions, not to mention the mouth-watering delicacies they serve. Going away on a Pesach program can be all these things and more!
Signing up for a Pesach program means relaxation. Maybe it means sleeping in while your children are entertained in the kids’ groups. Maybe it means sitting on a beach, watching the waves ebb and flow. It could be sipping a cocktail in the jacuzzi or taking a steam in a sauna. Maybe it’s enjoying fresh appetizers by the pool with your spouse on a chol hamoed evening, listening to a concert provided by local musicians. Personally, I always take advantage of the spa. Whatever relaxation means to you, Pesach programs offer a variety of paths to get there.
Just like relaxation, when it comes to adventure and unique experiences, everyone has their preferences. For example, in Greece, you can venture on an island waterfall hike or discover ancient Olympia. At Royal Passover in Mexico, you can speedboat across the Mexican Riviera or swim with dolphins at the Cancun Aquarium. With Costa Rica Kosher Adventures, you can zip-line through jungle treetops or cover yourself in volcanic mud at a natural hot spring volcano spa. There is no shortage of breathtaking, adrenaline-pumping, once-in-a-lifetime experiences to choose from.
These programs do not disappoint when it comes to presenting inspiring speakers and lecturers as well. Rabbis, legal and medical professionals, international politicians and leaders, brave IDF soldiers, community leaders, and social media influencers are flown in from all over the world to share, educate, and inspire with their divrei Torah, opinions, insights, and experiences. San Diego, California’s Luxury Passover Group, welcomes back internationally recognized scholar and lecturer Rabbi Steven Weil as scholar in residence, bringing with him his depth of knowledge and passion for the State of Israel and for Jewish communities worldwide. At RAM Destinations in Miami, guests can listen to best-selling author, speaker, and pod-caster Ben Shapiro as he shares his perspectives on faith, family, and moral clarity in addition to his ardent support of Israel in our current tenuous climate. From seasoned to up-and-coming, Pesach programs procure top thinkers and leaders in the Jewish world and beyond to stimulate and engage guests.
Let’s take a moment to talk about entertainment. For kids, teens, and adults, programs aim to keep their guests excited and engaged. Kosherica at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas welcomes back Aleeza Ben Shalom of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking fame, as well as actor and comedian, Michael Rapaport. Guests of Playa Mujeres’ Royal Passover will be laughing in their seats at comedy performances by Elon Gold. In Mexico, at both Royal Passover in Playa Mujeres and Mamre Travel in Cancun, guests will be enjoying listening to Israeli singing sensation Omer Adam. In Miami, Ram Destinations guests will be singing along to concerts by Ishay Ribo. At Mexico’s Diamond Club programs, guests will be delighted by singer Shulem Lemmer and comedian Dovie Neuburger. For kids, there are bubble shows, puppy parties, magicians, puppeteers, fire dancers, acrobatics, petting zoos, bounce houses, carnivals, and more. Art and ceramic classes, dance classes, kumzitsen, concerts—the list goes on and on. Program operators want to see you have a good time and they work hard to make that happen.
We would be remiss if we didn’t discuss the food. Pesach program coordinators go out of their way to share thoughtful, creative, and exciting culinary offerings to their guests. From elegantly plated meals delivered to your table, to bountiful buffets. From delectable tea rooms to barbecues, lounges, theme nights and beach bars, you will never go hungry. And you will be savoring some of the tastiest, most delectable-looking food you’ve ever seen. Program organizers fly in chefs from all over the world to give guests unmatched culinary experiences. In Palm Springs, California, Upscale Legacy has pulled out all the stops this year by enlisting an all-star team to bring culinary refinement, creativity, and artistry to their guests. Director of Food and Wine, Gabey Abikzer, Executive Chef Moshe Benyair and Sous Chef Pablo Guzman are sought-after, seasoned experts of the kosher food scene. Programs are recruiting top names from all over the international kosher culinary scene to present innovative, beautiful, and exciting food options, desserts, and wine to their guests.
Aside from the excitement of being in a beautiful location relaxing, adventuring, and enjoying some of the best kosher food of your life, there is a unique element that Pesach programs offer. When you’re on a Pesach program, the goal is to give guests everything they could want in an all-inclusive vacation package. Want to venture out as a family and see the sites, zip-line through a jungle, or take a boat ride? You can do all that and more. If you want to share an experience with your spouse and know your children are being looked after and entertained—do it. Maybe you prefer to have some alone time in your room, at the spa, on the grounds of a beautiful property, taking a class, or hearing a speaker: you got it. Programs are designed to offer guests a multitude of experiences, allowing you to choose and curate the types that interest you.
Every family or individual who chooses to go on a Passover program does so because they want the opportunity to enjoy all these adventures in a kosher environment with delectable cuisine, kosher entertainment, fun and excitement, and family-bonding activities all in a single package.
There are tons of reasons to go on a Passover program. You don’t have to pick one. You can enjoy them all. To ensure you choose the perfect Pesach program for your family, visit https://passoverlistings.com. Learn about programs, read actual reviews, price programs with their pricing tool, and contact their dedicated concierge service. Look around and have fun. We know you’ll have the time of your life!
