Kosher Travels in Exotica
My Background
My Travel Philosophy
My Background
Born in Jaffa, Rabbi Menahem Fogel’s wide ranging career has spanned nineteen countries and includes both the public and private sectors. He has been a pulpit rabbi in South Africa and Canada, a Museum Information Systems Designer for renowned museums on three continents, producer of an 8-season TV sitcom series for Dutch Television, a ho
Born in Jaffa, Rabbi Menahem Fogel’s wide ranging career has spanned nineteen countries and includes both the public and private sectors. He has been a pulpit rabbi in South Africa and Canada, a Museum Information Systems Designer for renowned museums on three continents, producer of an 8-season TV sitcom series for Dutch Television, a hotel manager in the Middle East and continues to be an in-demand tour guide throughout the Far East, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific Northwest and the UAE.
How I Work
My Travel Philosophy
My Background
My experience as a tour guide has taught me that you cannot know everything about every place, and don't ever guide a destination that you have never visited. I have therefore specialized in certain areas of our beautiful planet, and as I travel and learn more, I add destinations to my backpack. I work with a number of kosher tour compani
My experience as a tour guide has taught me that you cannot know everything about every place, and don't ever guide a destination that you have never visited. I have therefore specialized in certain areas of our beautiful planet, and as I travel and learn more, I add destinations to my backpack. I work with a number of kosher tour companies, whom I consider the best in the marketplace, and I also have my own contacts and staff in various destinations around the world.As a consultant, I offer you my best opinions and services, itineraries that I believe provide the finest experiences, and where and how to find kosher food in those places.
My Travel Philosophy
My Travel Philosophy
My Travel Philosophy
The author, James Michener, is quoted as having said” If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” That basically sums up my travel philosophy. I travel to discover all those things. I am fascinated by local foods, how they came to be what they are, and how I can taste
The author, James Michener, is quoted as having said” If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” That basically sums up my travel philosophy. I travel to discover all those things. I am fascinated by local foods, how they came to be what they are, and how I can taste them while keeping strictly kosher. Sometimes it’s not possible, but with a little effort and study, most times it is. I am enchanted by foreign, non-western cultures, their histories and beliefs. In the west, we are denied the vast knowledge that exists outside of the three Abrahamic faiths, and so it is specifically those things that I seek out when I travel. And yes, I also make sure we spend time on the beach if possible, and have some ridiculous fun. A laughter-filled tour is always the best kind.
Gratitude
First and foremost is my thanks and gratitude to my wife, Michele, for both supporting and tolerating my frequent absences from home, and allowing me to indulge in my urge, my need, to travel. Travel both quiets and elevates my soul. The ability to experience so many wonderful places, people, sites and sights, nature and everything that God in His manifest generosity has granted us, makes me, I believe, a better person. I am so grateful for having been fortunate to have traveled together with Michele to see so much of the Creator’s wonderful world.
Secondly, my thanks to:
• Moti Zlotnik, Liora Danieli, Edith Cohen, Israel Cornester, Maria Lypak, and all the staff and fellow guides of Shai Bar Ilan / Gesher / Kesher tours, who welcomed me into their company and quenched my thirst for tour operations, guiding and travel.
• Marion Adler, who together with the FOMs have invited me to guide and manage the FOMs tours to so many different and wonderful places on our beautiful planet.
• Naomi & Eric Goldberg of Naomi Boutique Kosher Tours who have repeatedly hired me as a Mashgiach to far flung regions where I have worked with the some of the world’s leading chefs and learned so much about so many different cuisines and cooking practices while maintaining the highest level of kashrut.
Finally, my thanks to all those who have traveled with me, for granting me the opportunity to lead them to all those destinations. You have all been the catalyst for this website.
