A once-in-a-lifetime Sephardic history experience

Deborah Rosen Fidel, JD, MAJPS Executive Director

Season has come to an end, but we are already busy planning a fabulous 2024-2025 season at Temple Shalom. This year, Temple Shalom members can look forward to a culinary and musical exploration of Sephardic history, heritage and traditions, with cooking classes, concerts and more. Ladino Singer/ Songwriter Sarah Aroeste and Sephardic Chef/Writer Susan Barocas will join Cantor Azu for a series of programs. Together we will experience the beauty, many flavors and vibrant music of Sephardic culture, both past and present.

This exciting lineup will culminate in a 10-day cruise to Spain, Portugal and Morocco! We will dive deep into the world of Spanish, Moroccan and Portuguese Jewish culture as we visit the Canary Islands, Madeira, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Almeria, Malaga, Seville and Lisbon. While aboard the Oceania Marina with Aroeste, Barocas and Cantor Azu, we will enjoy exclusive Sephardic music, food experiences, walking tours and more.

Some of the highlights include learning about the fascinating Sephardic history of Santa Cruz de Tenerife; a talk by Barocas on the surprising and enduring influence of foods from Spain’s Jews; a rousing Ladino sing-along with Aroeste; and a delicious hands-on Sephardic cooking class — and tasting — with Barocas in the Marina’s world-class Culinary Center. In Casablanca, Morocco, we will explore centuries of Jewish history and connect with members of the Jewish community with a demonstration of Moroccan Jewish music.

We will celebrate Shabbat together at sea, and learn the fascinating Sephardic history of Gibraltar, a territory at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, where we will visit active synagogues and meet members of the Jewish community. We will tour the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz in Seville, Spain and spend a day in Lisbon, exploring centuries of Jewish life and culture in Portugal, before meeting with descendants of the Crypto-Jewish population. Chef Barocas will teach us how to make the iconic Pastis de Nata Sephardic treat.

There are many ways to learn about Jewish history, but if you are interested in Sephardic Jewish history, you would be hard-pressed to find something better than this once-in-a-lifetime immersive experience with Temple Shalom’s beloved cantor, Cantor Donna Azu, alongside the critically acclaimed and accomplished team, Ladino Singer/Songwriter Aroesteand Sephardic Chef/Writer Barocas. We hope that you will join us on this fantastic expedition. For more information, please contact Temple Shalom at 239-455-3030 or email us at info@naplestemple.org.