Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 38

Niver In PRINT: Blog Bytes August 2022 Jewish Journal

Thank you to the Jewish Journal for publishing me online for over twelve years. Since they resumed print publication in Fall 2021, I have been in the Blog Bytes section more than twenty-four times! Here are the two issues that I was in during August 2022: Jewish Journal August 5, 2022: p. 28From my July 2022 news: Celebrations from Los Angeles to Iceland

What is my favorite SUMMER CELEBRATION? A concert at the Hollywood Bowl! and I LOVED seeing Ricky Martin with my parents. “Global superstar Ricky Martin in his Hollywood Bowl debut with Los Angeles Philharmonic and Conductor Gustavo Dudamel for a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime concert. An exhilarating night of “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and many other international hits with the King of Latin Pop!”

Jewish Journal Aug 11, 2022: p. 28

From my article, “Feeling Icelandic at Sky Lagoon Iceland“

What to do in Reykjavik? FlyOver Iceland 

This immersive film experience is a cross between 4D, IMAX and actually flying past giant glaciers and fast running fjords. This journey whisks you to the most remote and hard to see scenery. I also loved learning about the history of the country through the long house, the trolls and the storytelling!

THANK YOU TO THE JEWISH JOURNALSee my stories that were inthe September print issuesthe October print issuesthe November print issuesthe December print issues

2022

the January print issuesthe February print issues

the April print issues

the July print issues

the August print issues

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Luxury Toronto: Fairmont Royal York, Shangri-La Toronto and Four Seasons Toronto

Where to find luxury in Toronto? Join me at Fairmont Royal York, Shangri-La Toronto and Four Seasons Toronto. Enjoy the videos below to see exactly how fantastic these properties are. Meet you there! My home away from home at the Fairmont Royal YorkWhere to stay in Toronto? Fairmont Royal York

Where to stay in Toronto? I loved staying at Fairmont Royal York! It is one of the historic grand railway hotels of Canada with an incredible location in the middle of downtown. I cannot wait to return! I loved my room, Reign restaurant in the lobby and the POOL! Meet me by the clocktower!

Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E3, Canada

Adult swim time at the Fairmont Royal YorkWhere to dine? Reign Toronto

Reign Toronto is THE CITY’S DINING ROOM! Thank you to Joseph and his incredible knowledge of the history of the hotel and all the best dishes and for taking amazing care of us! The Tenuta Santome Prosecco was divine. I loved the Burrata and heirloom tomato salad and the 6 oz tenderloin with asparagus and AMAZING hand cut fries! Carolann loved the Reign Steak tartar and Lobster pasta. We had my favorite chocolate lava cake for desert. “Influenced by Canada’s rich bounty and curated by Toronto’s grand downtown manor house, REIGN serves sophisticated cuisine, prestigious wine, and inspiring moments at the heart of a city landmark.” Thank you also to Kwame and Jessie!

Lisa and Carolann at dinner: Reign TorontoJoin me at the Veuve Clicquot Patio at Shangri-La Toronto

Thank you to Shangri-La Toronto! We loved dining at the Veuve Clicquot Patio. “Discover a chic destination in the city, where exquisite dishes are paired with the perfect glass of Champagne.” I loved the Ratatouille Flatbread and Shangri-la burger, Carolann was delighted with the Grilled Octopus and Torched Salmon Poke Bowl. Thank you to Natalie for taking great care of us outside on the terrace.

Shangri-La Toronto 188 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5H 0A3, Canada

Lisa & Carolann at the Shangri-La Toronto Veuve Clicquot PatioMagic Massage and Delicious Dinner at Four Seasons Toronto

A giant thank you to Four Seasons Toronto! Your spa is exquisite, my masseuse, Jeff, had magic hands and for your massage, you can add 4 types of aromatherapy, Paraffin wax treatments to restore your hands and feet and coconut oil for your scalp. It is all about customizing your experience. There are heated tables, multiple music choices and the thickest towels and softest robes! This is elevated LUXURY! Make sure to spend time by the pool and the stunning outdoor terrace. Next time I am eating on the this patio!

Lisa at Four Seasons Toronto outdoor spa terrace

I loved my dining experience at Cafe Boulud. The heirloom tomato and whipped feta was presented with edible flowers and I felt like I was eating a work of art. Thank you to Hakim, Cremildo, Yann and the entire team! I am still dreaming about the maple salted butter and your fresh bread.

Four Seasons Toronto  60 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 0A4, Canada

Lisa at dinner at Cafe BouludSee all my videos from my adventures in Toronto here:

More adventures in this article: Explore Toronto with CityPASS and me!

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Keeping the Faith in the Land of The Free

Hello, my name is Robin Hanasab. My relationship with the Wise Community began in the 7th grade, roughly three decades ago. At the time, for me, it was the natural next step in my Jewish education. Growing up in a traditional Persian Jewish household, who escaped from Iran to pursue religious freedom, there was no other option.

I felt fortunate to enter the community at that time and it didn’t take long to form lasting bonds.  It was a nurturing environment that taught strong Jewish values and thankfully, our lives were full. Full of love, support and resources to allow us to develop both academically and spiritually.

After graduating, I studied business at USC, and law at Loyola Law School. Within a few years, Jessica and I were married and shortly after that we welcomed Talia into our lives. When it came time to start thinking of schools, Wise was the only option for us. We knew we wanted our daughter (and eventually our two boys, Jacob and Joey) to grow up on this campus, on this hill, in this community, forming those same special bonds with the people who will eventually be their lifelong friends. I knew this because those kids that I met in 7th grade are still my closest friends today. Many are here today with their kids, growing up alongside ours.  At Wise, my childhood community has come full circle, L’dor v’dor, from BEING the kids to RAISING the kids. We are raising the next generation and have chosen this school and temple as our partner.

These last couple years have been difficult for everyone.  Like many other schools and communities in Los Angeles, we were separated from each other for much of the last three years. Some communities GREW apart, some FELL apart. But not this one. We have grown closer than we’ve ever been, and I’m not just referring to the kids. This community understands that it takes a village to raise these children and the Wise families have shown their commitment. I am proud to be part of this group that continually shows up for our school, for our temple, for our children, and for the continuity of Jewish life.  

I am constantly reminded by my father, that as Jews in America, we have it easy. He reminds me that we can never forget what our people have gone through for us to have this freedom and we better not take it for granted.

He once told me a story that really put this sentiment into perspective.

It took place here, shortly after we arrived in the US. He invited a non-Jewish acquaintance visiting from Iran to Shabbat dinner at our home. The guest clearly didn’t appreciate Shabbat dinner and said to my father “Hanasab, khaylee Jude Shodee,” which translates to – Hanasab, you’ve become TOO Jewish. Obviously, he did not mean this as a compliment. Now, what was more surprising than this antisemitic statement made in our own home, ON SHABBAT, was my father’s response. He said, “It’s thanks to you I’m like this. In Iran we had people like you constantly calling us Jew, never letting us forget who we are. It’s not like that here. I have to try harder here so my kids never forget they are Jews.”

From that, my father reminds me that we are blessed with the DUTY to pass on our Jewish values to the next generation, and blessed with THIS place to do it. Whether we are combating antisemitism or assimilation, we need Wise Temple, Wise School and the Wise community as a primary resource. The Temple Clergy and School Administration show up each day with this very mission by

Educating our youth to be PROUD JEWSContinuing to educate our members with lectures, services, and other educational opportunities, andBy actively working in the community to combat antisemitism.

Now more than any time in my life, there is a greater need to strengthen the Jewish community.

Wise Temple and Wise School are the place that make the Jewish life and the Jewish community a priority. It truly is a big tent, welcoming people from all walks of life and giving us a safe home to learn from each other and grow with each other.   

I’m standing here today in the same place where many of you have celebrated your highest highs and some of your lowest lows, where brilliant clergy, speakers, and world leaders have shared their knowledge and debated opinions. Generations of Jewish life have been interconnected through holidays, events, carnivals, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, simchas and sadness. It’s an honor to share this space with you all and try to do my part to participate in this community.

So, when someone asks why they should donate more than they already give for their tuition, or why they should even pay for temple dues when they can just buy tickets to the big events, the answer is simple. Because what we’re doing here at Wise is bigger than us, and the commitment to the continuity of Judaism is year-round. It takes more than just showing up for the main event.

This is the place that makes sure we don’t lose touch with our Jewish culture, lifestyle and religion. This is the place that instills these values in our children that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This is the place where we meet our best friends, and grow our families as a community. Nothing is more important than that. So please open your hearts and answer the call to support this place that does so much for us in return.

Thank you

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PENN TRAVEL TALK: Join us Nov 7, 2022

Penn Travel PanelSign up here for the zoom: Nov 7, 2022

Travel industry expert alumni will discuss how travel has been affected by the pandemic, how to navigate your work and personal travel now, and offer great suggestions for trips you might want to take sometime soon. 

Our online panel includes:   (complete bios below)

Brad Handler, C’89, W’89, Executive Chairman, InspiratoLisa Niver, C’89, Founder, WeSaidGoTravel.com Cara Schneider Bongiorno, C’89, Founder, Philly History Pop Ups Romy Buchman Coquillette, C’89, Moderator

Brad Handler, C’89, W’89 Executive Chairman, Inspirato

Brad Handler is Co-Founder of Inspirato and has served as its Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors since January 2010, where he focuses on corporate finance and strategic initiatives. Before co-founding Inspirato, he started his career at Apple, then later served as eBay’s first attorney. In 2002, he co-founded Exclusive Resorts and served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. He has also been a lecturer at Stanford Law School and the University of Virginia School of Law. Mr. Handler earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Lisa Niver, C’89 Founder, WeSaidGoTravel.com  Lisa Ellen Niver  is an award-winning travel expert who has explored 102 countries and six continents. She worked on cruise ships for seven years and backpacked in Asia for three years. She is the founder of the website  WeSaidGoTravel , which is read in 235 countries and was named #3 on Rise Global’s Top 1,000 Travel Blogs.  You can find her talking travel on broadcast television at KTLA TV Los Angeles as well as her  YouTube channel , where her WeSaidGoTravel videos have over 1.6 million views. As a journalist, Niver has interviewed Deepak Chopra, Olympic medalists, and numerous bestselling authors, and been invited to both the Oscars and the United Nations. For her print and digital stories as well as her television segments, she has been awarded three Southern California Journalism Awards and two National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and been a finalist 20 times. She has published widely in print and online at  Wired ,  Teen Vogue ,  HuffPost Personal,  POPSUGAR ,  Ms. Magazine ,  Luxury Magazine,  Smithsonian ,  Sierra Club ,  Saturday Evening Post,  AARP , AAA Explorer Magazine,  Jewish Journal,  BuzzFeed ,  Robb Report ,  Scuba Diver Life,  Ski Utah ,  Trivago ,  Undomesticated,  USA Today ,  TODAY ,  Wharton Magazine, and  Yahoo .  
Cara Schneider Bongiorno, C’89 Founder, Philly History Pop Ups 
Formerly Media Relations at VISIT PHILADELPHIA Cara is a former tourism industry media relations professional now teaching and illuminating Philly history. She spent her career at Philadelphia nonprofits, culminating with 22 years in media relations at VISIT PHILADELPHIA®.She held development/fundraising positions at  WHYY  and  JEVS Human Services  before joining the communications team at Visit Philadelphia in 1999. At Visit Philly, she is proudest of her role behind a few of those rare travel stories that are referenced for years –National Geographic Traveler’s “Next Great City” in 2005, #3 ranking in The New York Times “52 Places To Go” in 2016, and the only U.S. city in Nat Geo’s “Best Trips” 2020. She helped Philadelphia promote memorable events including: the blockbuster Live 8 outdoor concert in 2005, the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies MLB Championship, the NFL Draft in 2017, and the unforgettable NFL Super Bowl Championship of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. Still smitten with Philadelphia, she started  Philly History Pop Ups , free neighborhood meetups presenting “interesting twists on places you know” and the stories of important but little-known Philadelphia moments. She serves on the board of  Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site,  and has also served on the boards of  Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens ,  Congregation Rodeph Shalom,  and as an advisor to Honey’s Angels . Cara also volunteers at  Mighty Writers , and Penn’s  Netter Center for Community Partnerships .  
Romy Buchman Coquillette, C’89 Moderator Romy Coquillette has spent her professional career in finance, real estate, strategy, and human resource consulting. She worked for 11 years at Morgan Stanley in the investment banking division. She is currently the chairperson of the Achievement First Brooklyn Board of Trustees, a charter school network with 24 K-12 schools in Brooklyn, and the chairperson of the board of Mainsprings, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving communities in rural Tanzania through education, healthcare, and sustainable farming. Previously, Romy served on the boards of The Bronxville School Foundation, the Concordia Conservatory of Music, the Non-Partisan Committee of the Bronxville Union Free School District, and the Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in East Asian studies and earned an MBA from Harvard University.  Penn Travel Panel: Sign up here for the zoom on Nov 7, 2022

Listen to Lisa on the POWER OF PENN WOMEN podcast: Click here

Lisa speaking at Penn Homecoming 2021: Click here

Class of 1989 30th reunion in 2019:

Taking Flat Ben, the Penn Quaker, out on the town!

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A post shared by Penn Alumni (@pennalumni)

Penn 1989: 25th reunion: Click here

Read Lisa’s articles:

WHARTON MAGAZINEFRANKLY PENN Lisa and Barbara at Penn Graduation 2014– walking in our 25 year reunion!

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