Red Sea

 For the longest time, Jewish peoplehood was lived rather than discussed. But no longer.

Ever since the Israelites fled Egypt and crossed the Red Sea in miraculous fashion — a seminal act in Jewish history commemorated and celebrated in the upcoming Passover seders — the Jews have been a nation and a people.

For many Israeli families, the word "vacation" is synonymous with "Eilat."

That’s because the town, which is located at Israel’s southernmost tip, on the Gulf of Aqaba, has great weather almost year round and boasts an unbelievable amount of attractions.

For a wine critic, the first column of a new year is often a good opportunity to remember the best — and try to forget the worst — wines tasted in the previous year. While it is impossible to taste all of the more than 1,300 kosher wines produced around the world, the past year has given me the opportunity to taste some truly splendid wines, from bold Napa Valley reds to bubbly bruts made in the heart of Champagne. So for this month’s Fruit of The Vine, what follows is my Top Ten list for 2009.

Candlelighting, Readings:
Shabbat candles: 4:34 p.m.
Torah reading: Exodus 6:2-9:35
Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Sabbath ends: 5:37 p.m.