South Florida Synagogue Sets Sail to Bahamas

A Miami area synagogue set sail last week as 40 members of the Family Shul in Highland Lakes, Fla., climbed aboard the “Majesty of the Seas” for a five day, four night cruise to the Bahamas and back.

According to Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Moishe Kievman, the high seas adventure offered participants a chance to unwind as a family.

“We really wanted to do something where the community could come together and bond in a relaxed, meaningful way,” explained the rabbi, who also directs Chabad Chayil, an organization that provides opportunities for area Jews to learn more about their heritage. “And what could be a better way to relax than a cruise?”

“It was very nice,” said congregant Saul Shwarztein, a travel agent who organized the booking. “I’ve been on many cruises before, but this one was different because it was strictly kosher. I really enjoyed it, and I would definitely do it again.”

The group worked with the Royal Caribbean cruise line to coordinate the delivery of pre-packaged kosher meals from Webberman Caterers. In addition, say passengers, the kitchen staff went the extra mile to ensure their comfort.

“They were so accommodating,” said another congregant. “They brought us whole fruits so we had something extra!”

Rabbi Moishe and Layah Kievman’s Family Shul averages about 50 people each week, while their after-school Hebrew school program serves more than 200 children. They also run the Dovid Bryn Library, a comprehensive collection of Jewish texts containing more than 7,000 titles. The cruise was just another way of bringing people together and educating them about Judaism.

“It was phenomenally successful,” proclaimed Kievman. “Our community members enjoyed it, and even some of the other passengers attended our prayer services.”

Information about the prayer services held in the ship’s Voyager conference room were printed in the cruise’s official daily schedule, and signs on all levels of the ship directed people to the location.

Some of those passengers had traveled all the way from New Jersey, and were very excited to have such a large group of Jews to share the cruise with.

“We went on a regular vacation with our friends,” they said, “and now we’re leaving with a whole new group of friends.”

While the cruise was mainly a time for the community to relax and bond, the Kievmans also organized showings of contemporary Jewish videos, and held daily classes for both men and women. In addition, the cruise docked in Key West, Nassau, and Coco Cay, a private island owned by the Royal Caribbean cruise line.

Rabbi Yossi and Baila Gansburg, directors of Chabad of Coconut Creek, also joined the cruise.

“I think a lot of the people on the cruise changed their perceptions” about religious families, said Schwarztein. “People approached the rabbis and saw they aren’t just men dressed all in black with long beards. They saw they are human beings too.”

When asked if there are plans to do this again, Kievman smiled.

“Absolutely,” he said. “G-d willing, we will have a winter and summer cruise every year. I’m telling people to make their reservations now.”