If you read my latest book “The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories” and liked it please help my book reach a wider audience.
Continue reading “Help The Dao of Being Jewish Reach New Readers”Help The Dao of Being Jewish Reach New Readers
Free Lecture: Jews of the Jungles (and cities) in Brazil
Free Lecture: Jews of the Jungles (and cities) in Brazil
Presenter: Irene Shaland
Orange Library Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Thursday March 19th, 2020 at 7:00 PM
Join Irene Shaland, an internationally-published travel writer and author of several books for a captivating journey through 500 years of Jewish history in Brazil. Encounter little-known stories of Brazil discovery in the 15thcentury’s context of a twisted world of politics, deceptions, and intrigues. Learn about the key role the Crypto-Jews played in this country’s exploration and development. Find out why Anna Novinsky, a renowned expert in Jewish history residing in Sao Paolo, claimed that “Brazil was built by the Jews!”
Continue reading “Free Lecture: Jews of the Jungles (and cities) in Brazil”Introducing The Cleveland Photo Fest
The Cleveland Photo Fest was established in 2019 as an annual event for the benefit of the Greater Clevelanders who support photography as a fine art. Our mission is to strengthen the appreciation of photography as a major force in today’s visually driven culture. Exhibitions, publications, educational and fellowship programming are at the core of our active engagement with the Cleveland community.
Continue reading “Introducing The Cleveland Photo Fest”Thornybush Game Reserve Executive talks about “Suburbanites on Safari”
Here is what Nic Griffin, Chief Executive of The Thornybush Game Lodge Collection, had to say after reviewing Alex Shaland’s new book “Suburbanites on Safari”
“Alex’s book is a fascinating intro to Safari choice criteria, its also easy light reading and simplistic in its aim to assist those that may travel often, but not au fait with Safari lingo. It adequately gives a heads up on what needs to be considered in an almost entertaining way.” –Nic Griffin, Chief Executive, The Thornybush Luxury Game Lodge Collection.
Continue reading “Thornybush Game Reserve Executive talks about “Suburbanites on Safari””Visiting Bonifacio: Hotel Cala di Greco
On our trip to Bonifacio, Corsica we recalled what Homer said about it: “We put into that port, so well-known amongst sailors: where sheer double cliffs, with no gaps, encircle the harbor and two headlands squeeze the narrow entrance in their grasp.” “Homer, “Odyssey,” Chapter X.
Continue reading “Visiting Bonifacio: Hotel Cala di Greco”Beautiful Manor Russum – Your Best Hotel in Calvi, Corsica
Calvi is considered one of the most beautiful and fashionable seaside resorts in Corsica. It is located on the northwestern coast of the island, some 165 kilometers from the Corsican capital Ajaccio. Founded by the Romans in the first century CE, the city was ruled by the Genovese maritime republic from 1278, until it was given away to France in the 18thcentury.
Continue reading “Beautiful Manor Russum – Your Best Hotel in Calvi, Corsica”The Best Hotel in Malta: Ursulino Valletta
The Malta archipelago, a tiny spot in the middle of the Mediterranean with 400,000 inhabitants occupying an area of 316 square kilometers, remains unknown to most US travelers. And this is a pity, because if you do visit this island (or rather all three of them: Malta, Gozo, and Comino) you will be forever inspired and spiritually enriched by the magical beauty of these gems that remain still-hidden for many.
Continue reading “The Best Hotel in Malta: Ursulino Valletta”Clive Cortis and his Malta Private Guide Company
My husband Alex and I have been globe-trotting for over four decades, visiting close to 70 countries, feeling at home in most of them. When in Europe, we very seldom hire private guides, but we did so in Malta. As an art and travel writer, focusing on history and Jewish history, I had an extensive “must see” plan or rather a research “curriculum” I intended to follow in that tiny country, which is arguably one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.
Continue reading “Clive Cortis and his Malta Private Guide Company”Discovering Jewish Connections in Sardinia
Sardinia is an island famed for its unearthly beauty. Sardinia is second only to Sicily in its size among the Mediterranean islands. Like Sicily, Sardinia attracted numerous waves of invaders: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, the Italian city-states of Pisa and Genoa, and the Spanish Kingdom of Aragon—all succeeded one another in dominating the island. The Northern Italians came last, with Garibaldi himself falling in love with the island. He chose to live the last years of his life in Carpera, Sardinia.
Continue reading “Discovering Jewish Connections in Sardinia”Review of Suburbanites on Safari by Marcia Polevoi
“I have always wanted to go to Africa to see all the wildlife. However, we are of an age that now prevents us from going on a Safari. But reading Alex’s book took me right there and I met lions, and elephants and big cats and more.
Continue reading “Review of Suburbanites on Safari by Marcia Polevoi”