We know that Jewlicious Festival is the best deal out there. Nowhere else can you get as much fun and food for $49. Nowhere can you get this level of entertainment on one night for $49. But even with this amazing offer of epic proportions. It gets better. There are a few Jewish communities that have offered funds to help get people to Jewlicious.

If you LIVE or STUDY in the valley, even if you are currently at a school outside of town – than you may qualify. You can come from ANY valley!Thank you Jewish Federation Los Angeles Valley Alliance!These funds are only good for the first 50 people that apply.

If you STUDY at Long Beach State – you are eligible.

If you live or study in North San Diego County – i.e. San Marcos State etc. you are eligible.

Join us aboard the RMS Queen Mary for an exclusive benefit reception featuring the finest kosher wines, tequilas and gourmet pairings and supporting the Jewlicious cause – creating a dynamic future for young Jews. Enjoy a elegant evening accompanied by live music, and afterwards you can stay for the Main Stage Concert in the Queens Salon featuring great bands. Tickets are $360 per couple, but we encourage you to become an event sponsor – see below!

All sponsorship levels over $1000 include:
Page in Commemorative Festival Year Book — Spaces for Friends—
Jewlicious T-Shirts — Name or Company promoted on Festival Promotion Materials

Platinum Level – $10,000
Name or company featured on Festival Poster
Name or company featured on Festival CD
Personalized Platinum Colored Banner at Festival
Ten Guests

Gold Level – $5000
Personalized Gold Colored Banner at Festival
Name or company featured on Festival CD
Ten Guests

Silver Level – $2500
Personalized Silver Colored Banner at Festival
Eight Guests

Copper Level – $1000
Personalized Copper Colored Banner at Festival
Four Guests

Space is limited. Questions: 310-277-5544

What if someone CANNOT Attend Event?
Ask them to make a secure online contribution to benefit the Festival scholarship fund which provides support for students with financial hardships: Jewlicious.donortools.com

 

When you walk onto the Queen mary you feel like you are walking into another world. Brass rails. Teak decks. Fine detail on everything. Soaring salons, and spacious dining areas. And then there are the modern amenities like flat screen tv’s in each room and Wifi.

With 314 original first-class staterooms -including nine full suites on three decks, THE QUEEN MARY hotel uniquely blends the authenticity of transatlantic steamship travel with the comforts and conveniences of modern amenities and furnishings.

MENTION “JEWLICIOUS” FOR SPECIAL RATES

call 562-435-3511

Great rates on cabins on the boat on sale now
Standard $99/night
Deluxe $119/night
Family Staterooms $139/night
Mini Suites $139/night (limited)
Full Suites #275/night (limited)

Some say it’s haunted. Some say it’s a masterpiece of Art Deco decor. Some say it is one of the finest ocean going liners ever built in the 20th Century. Whatever you want to believe about the RMS Queen Mary, it is one of the coolest places to do a fest. Roam the amazing decks and sumptuous halls. Enjoy bars, and views. Take the haunted boat tour. And of course, the original and compelling food, music and programming that Jewlicious Festival is famous for.

Before there were a bevy of imitators, Jewlicious Festival originated a unique blend of programming music and fun, that simply is unlike anything else at this price. Thanks to very generous donors, we can offer the Festival for a fee that is simply a steal. Everyone will be there – will you?

 

Join us for our annual Shabbat @ Sundance! Spend some time away from the Festival’s craziness for a Shabbat reception with the Tribe. Enjoy delicious wine and challah and a host of treats, have a chance to network and meet friends from the industry at our very own Shabbat Lounge. Sponsored by Chai Center, with support from Jewlicious.

As with everything in Sundance, we have a guest list so that we can reserve spots for people that really want to be there. If you or a friend would like to join us at this exclusive Shabbat happening, make sure to RSVP today.

RSVP Needed to sasha.jewlicious@gmail.com

See you in Park City!

Rabbi Yonah

SPONSORED BY CHAI CENTER
IN COLLABORATION WITH JEWLICIOUS

New Year’s is a massive celebration we have been looking forward to for some time. Before We head off to the night club to party, before we pop that champagne cork, let’s take a few steps back. The New Year is not just a chance to party, it is also a time for starting over. Few of us really stop to contemplate the significance of the New Year. The self-improvement process that surrounds the Jewish celebration of the New Year, Rosh Hashanah, offer us an important opportunity for re-energizing, renewal and reflection that will help us in 2012.

10. Sound the alarm. One day can merge into the next and before we know it January 1st, 2012, will have come and gone. We slip easily into the same routines, the same lives, the same reality. We need to sound the alarm now so that we can prepare ourselves for this amazing opportunity at rebirth and renewal.

9. Heal damaged relationships. Each year we wrong someone close to us and sometimes this leads to an ugly falling out. Yet, we still love this person. We still care for them, but because of egos we can’t admit fault and say we are sorry. If you ever wanted to reach out, but just couldn’t do it, now is your chance. You call and say. “I’m calling to saw I’m really sorry. I really want that in 2012 we rebuild our friendship. New Year’s is a convenient time to make-up.

8. Self-improvement starts with personal responsibility. We all want to become better people and realize our potential in 2012. While we might hope that our New Year’s resolutions will stick, first we must recognize past mistakes and character flaws before we can hope for new resolutions to have a chance. When we own up to our shortcomings, we can truly become better people, realize our potential and have a chance for personal growth in the New Year.

7. Time for an accounting of the soul. Sometimes we are not even sure how to do the right thing. Sometimes, even when we know the good deeds that we could be doing, we are not sure how to start. On the New Year we can search our soul and see what is preventing us from initiating and expanding the good we do in the world.

6. Time for an accounting of the mind. How we think has such a deep impact on what we do. We jumped to negative conclusions, without giving people the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps we stood by when we could have made a difference, and are full of regret. We stayed in abusing relationships. We let negativity cloud our thoughts. As we prepare for the New Year we clean out our head-space from self-doubt and negativity. Giving charity, gifts, and loving kindness helps us actualize the positive impact we can have this new year.

5. Set realistic goals. Audits are exhausting. Now we know how far we have to go after doing these accountings. We want instant results. In our desire to repair our lives, if we start on all repairs at once, we can end up setting ourselves up for failure. Saints were not born overnight. Lives are not fixed in the tick of the clock. It can be harder to change one character flaw, than anything else we have tried. By first establishing attainable goals and then stretch goals we set ourselves up to succeed.

4. New Fiscal Year = New Spiritual Year. This past year we paid it forward sometimes, just not enough times. We were content with receiving when we could have been busier giving. Just as we start our financial year from scratch, we can start our spiritual bank accounts over. We have the chance to accumulate great spiritual wealth this year.

3. Celebrate that God has given the world another year. Our lives do not exist in a vacuum. We rejoice at this opportunity to start afresh, yet we also need recognize how our lifestyles affect the world around us. New Years offers us a chance to reflect on how we can live healthier lives in harmony with our surroundings. We have another chance in 2012 to start healing our lives and the planet.

2. Start on the right foot. We know we should always put our best foot forward, but with the New Year we suddenly forget that lesson. Thanks to a few drinks, we begin with headaches and in places that make us feel sick. Instead of with regrets, start the year with sweetness and joy by being with people who are a positive influence on you. Enjoy one an other’s company, with good food, sweet desserts, and a modest amount of wine.

1. Get more spiritual. The world around us is full of materialism, distractions, and the stress of making a livelihood. Consequently, we don’t make enough time for prayer, ritual, contemplation, and being grateful for what we do have. In addition, we made moral and ethical mistakes that damaged or spiritual lives. This New Year, give your spiritual life a chance to really grow by opening a bigger place inside your heart, and fill it with spirit. When we resolve to lead more upright, and conscientious lives we can come closer to the Divine.

Finally. After five years Gilad Shalit is finally in Israeli hands as part of a prisoner exchange deal that will see 1027 Palestinian detainees, many serving life sentences for their direct involvement in acts of terror, freed from Israeli prison. Shalit is heading to Tel Nof air force base where he will be reunited with his family and greeted by Prime Minister Netanyahu. Afterward he is expected to go home to Mitzpe Hila, which has been closed off to all visitors. The first images of a freed Shalit were broadcast by Egyptian television and show Shalit to be gaunt and pale, but otherwise healthy. Interviewed by Egyptian TV he said:

I’m very emotional. I haven’t seen people in a long time. I missed my family. I missed seeing people, and talking to them … Of course I miss my family very much. I also miss my friends … I hope this deal will lead to peace between Palestinians and Israelis and that it will support cooperation between both sides.

Welcome home Gilad.

Gilad talks to his parents for the first time in 5 years.

Arriving at Tel Nof Air Base, Gilad is given a new IDF uniform prior to greeting family

No offense to Hamas or anything, but dang that was an ugly shirt they gave Shalit. Next time just stick with a basic one-color dress shirt.

Gilad arrives and salutes Chief of Staff (off photo) and Prime Minister

Gilad, his Dad and Netanyahu

IDF Chief of Staff hugs Gilad Shalit

Statement from UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon regarding swap:

I am very encouraged by the prisoner exchange today after many many years of negotiation,” Ban said. “The United Nations has been calling for (an end to) the unacceptable detention of Gilad Schalit and also the release of all palestinians whose human rights have been abused all the time.

I wonder if Gilad managed to get a BA while in captivity…

Shalit was in captivity for 1,935 days. 1 + 9 + 3 + 5 = 18 which in Hebrew is Chai – the word for “life” or literally, “alive.” Hat tip: Tanya Gutsol. Note the deal was announced on day 1935. He was freed on day 1941.

UPDATE: Shalit just arrived at his parents’ home in Mitspe Hila, greeted by wildly cheering crowds.

I just got an email from a participant at the last Jewlicious Festival in Long Beach and I thought I’d share it with you:

Dear Jewlicious,
I was at the last Jewlicious Fest and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the hard work you guys put in to organize the Festival. It’s a bit funny but I almost didn’t go. If my friend didn’t basically force me to go I would have just stayed at home and done nothing special. Instead I went to Jewlicious and had an amazing time from start to finish. The Friday night meal was incredible, full of spirit and great food, I can’t believe you fit everyone into one giant table! The speakers afterward were interesting and then I stayed up late hanging out with old and new friends. We played backgammon and Texas Holdem using peanuts for betting! No need to refer to casinotoplists, we had No Limit Texas Dreidel! Saturday night’s Havdala service was very moving, the comedians were great, the bands were lots of fun and again, the food just would not stop. Throughout this whole event I met all kinds of interesting people, from all walks of life and levels of observance. What they all had in common was a passion for Judaism that I found to be both compelling and infectious. I am writing now from a Sukka Party that I helped organize on campus. Had you told me last year that I’d be organizing a Sukka party, I’d laugh at you. Had I not gone to Jewlicious, I would not be here now. Also I would not be dating my current girlfriend who I met as a result of my getting more involved in my community. Let’s say my Mom adores her and that’s ok with me! Thank you again for literally changing the course of my life. I can’t wait till the next Festival, but this time, I’ll be the one pushing people to come.

Sometimes with a new venture people are wondering “what is that anyway? Is that a camp for kids? For adults?”

Camp Jewlicious is the Jewlicious Summer Festival which features camping and music all in an amazing setting. Here are what some people from last summer said about the program:

CAMP JEWLICIOUS 2010- TESTIMONIALS

“My favorite part about Camp Jewlicious was being at summer camp again, with a havdallah bonfire and concert!”

“My favorite part about Camp was the relaxed camp atmosphere. The inclusion of all Jews regardless of background was amazing and a credit to Jewlicious programming. I can’t wait to see what next year is like!”

“The activities were awesome! I had an amazing day Saturday. I woke up, ate breakfast, did yoga, ate more, napped, ate lunch, did ropes course, swam, went on a hike, and then had dinner and an awesome concert.”

“I had a chance to experience Judaism in a different way then I am use to. Since I was borne and raised in Israel being religious is very limited in options of how religious you are. I got to experience faith in a setting that is more relaxed and open, and I really enjoyed it.”

“My favorite part about Camp Jewlicious was the Carlebach services — with Yehuda from Moshav band!!!”

“Hot-seat funders session was an opportunity for me to hear real feedback on my project proposal and to hear it discussed in a frank and open way.”

A few years back we launched Jewlicious.ru, a sort of Russian language version of Jewlicious. Why? Because clearly I had too much free time on my hands, and the devil will find work for idle hands to do. In this case the “devil” was the incomparable bundle of energy and ROI Community member, Tanya Gutsol. In theory the site is supposed to be a combination of content from Jewlicious.com translated into Russian and original articles. Now I don’t speak Russian and I don’t pretend I have any idea what they do over there but apparently, Russians like the site! And they share my sensibilities! How so? Witness the upcoming “Are You Jewlicious Beach Party” that is taking place Sunday, July 31st, 2-6pm at Gilson Park at Wilmette, Area #1.

Who doesn’t like a beach party? There’s going to be beach volleyball, lots of grilling and shmoozing with the hot guys and gals of Chicago’s Russian Hillel and Russian Moishe House who are also sponsoring this event. I’m of course sad that I am not going to make it but don’t let that stop you if you’re in or near Chicago. You may RSVP at the facebook event page and the poster is kitschy and ironic (thanks Tanya!), so leave Babushka at home but do say hello to my buddy Program Director Genia Kovelman who I met when she was an ROI Participant in 2008.

This party was made possible in part thanks to the generous support of the ROI Community