In an all out escape from the chometz

SUZANNE BELLING

Yes, this holiday is certainly different from all others. But while celebrating the Exodus from Egypt might not bring about a contemporary miracle, there are answers to the many (not four) questions for those wishing to escape the hassle of Pesach preparations.

But, for the most part, these come at a serious price and are for the very wealthy.

There are few individual communal seders being organised by the shuls this year – mainly in Cape Town at the Sephardi Shul, the Great Synagogue in the Gardens, Marais Road Shul and Morasha in Arthurs Road.

Rabbi Ari Kievman of Chabad House in Johannesburg, with his wife, Batya, invite members of the community to the Pesach Retreat at the Bon Riviera Hotel on the Vaal, describing it as “an upscale Pesach experience, in a beautiful environment”.

Executive chef Alan Bender will prepare three kosher l’Pesach meals each day, also providing tea and snack box lunches for chol hamo’ed days.

The Vaal River offers water sports and cruises, golf and a spa. There are supervised children’s activities, Jewish movies and other fun-filled activities and Hatzolah will be providing a CPR training course.

Cantor Yudi Cohen, of Sydenham Shul, will an attraction for the services.

Outside guests are welcome to book for the seders that include private or semi-private ones. Prices for the full nine days start at R18 990 per person sharing, or R2 490 per day.

For further information, e-mail pesachSA@gmail.com, or call Batya Kievman on 072-801- 7491.  

Caterer Avron Almeleh of Avron’s Place in Sea Point, is anticipating little sleep over the Pesach period. He is catering for the seders at all the Cape Town shuls mentioned above, as well as moving in, with his family, to the President Hotel for the entire Pesach period.

Strictly kosher under the Cape Beth Din, the President is located within easy walking distance of five shuls and is close to beaches.

“We have mashgichim on duty 24/7 and kiddies’ programmes and music (during chol hamo’ed).” he said.

“People who want glatt kosher, chalav Yisrael and bishul Yisrael will be provided for and there will be an in-house shul. There is virtually no time of the day when a meal will not be served,” said Almeleh.

Rabbi David Raphaeli, from Israel and formerly of Herzlia School, will be in attendance, as well as guest lecturers.

The full meal rate for the entire period is R12 650, although individual meals and seders may be booked – the cost of the seders is R850 per adult, with reduced prices for children.

Room prices range from R3 210 to R6 710 per person per day. For further information call Cecilia Frans at (021) 430-2450 or go to resco-ordinator@presidenthotel.co.za.

Lunch boxes will be provided for those who want to explore the Cape Peninsula during chol hamo’ed. 

Nine days in Umhlanga are being arranged by Shlomo Wainer of Chabad of the North Coast. “All meals, Shabbos and Yomtov, including the seders and accommodation, are being provided, or one can just book for the seders,” said Wainer.

There is a shul next door to the guest house and all services will be held.

The cost for the full Pesach package is R9 750 per adult sharing, with reduced prices for children, or R1 085 per day per adult sharing. Seders are R350 per person. Three meals a day are offered for people staying in the guest house, which is close to the beach. Wainer is organising a Pesach braai.

For further information, call Orit on (031) 561-2487.

The Arabella Hotel and Spa in Hermanus is offering a luxury  fully kosher l’Pesach week. Guests are welcome to join the festive communal seder or hold private ones. 

All wines, soft drinks and other essentials for the seder will be provided. Glatt kosher menus will be provided to suit the sophiscated and traditional palettes.

There is a shul on the premises, with services, shiurim and workshops by guest rabbis and lecturers.

Cost is R3 450 per person per day (sharing).

Plettenberg Bay offers a full Pesach programme at the Beacon Isle Hotel and includes services at the shul and both seders.

Non-residents are welcome to book for the seders. The kosher kitchen will serve contemporary buffets and dinners during chol hamo’ed. Rabbi Desmond Maizels of the Cape Beth Din will be the rabbi in attendance.

The Pesach programme includes sightseeing trips. Daily snack packs are available. Three meals a day, including the seders, will cost R16 500 per adult. The seders cost R610 per adult, with reduced prices for children.

For further information and prices call Jorge on 083-327- 5724 or e-mail jorge@islanddiner.co.za.

In Johannesburg, Beit Emanuel is holding a communal seder at the temple in Oxford Road, Parktown. For details phone Sandy on (011) 646-6170.

There will be seders at Sandringham Gardens, Our Parents Home and the Capri. For details at Sandringham Gardens and the Capri, contact Avril on (011) 483-7495; or Denise for Our Parents Home on (011) 489-7195.

People may book for any or all Pesach meals as well as the seders.