Author Topic: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!  (Read 182147 times)

Offline moko

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #320 on: April 20, 2017, 02:03:46 PM »
So is that why
Any "Pesach Program" that is not in a place which is booked exclusively for the program, is probably a non-starter for any serious Kashrus supervising agency.
which is a major reason that gateways didn't open their Florida "luxury" program this year.

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #321 on: April 20, 2017, 02:08:03 PM »
Was anyone at their other program, "Pardes Pesach" in San Diego?

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #322 on: April 20, 2017, 02:16:18 PM »
which is a major reason that gateways didn't open their Florida "luxury" program this year.
Don't know about Kashrus agencies, but IMHO any program labeled as "luxury", probably wouldn't have Kashrus standards as their top priority (I am not saying they don't care about Kashrus, but I would guess that it's not top priority, but rather the "luxury" aspect is the top priority).
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Offline theduke

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #323 on: April 20, 2017, 02:26:43 PM »
In the situations described, how can someone be sure the food is even minimally Kosher?

This website being suggested would monetize by advertisements from some Pesach programs, and be beholden to those programs.
http://www.pesachhotelreviews.com/p/blog-page.html this kind of exists already although it doesn't seem to have any actual reviews on it.

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #324 on: April 20, 2017, 02:30:11 PM »
http://www.pesachhotelreviews.com/p/blog-page.html this kind of exists already although it doesn't seem to have any actual reviews on it.
I registered the domain PesachPrograms.com and will create a website as soon as time permits.
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Offline theduke

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #325 on: April 20, 2017, 02:30:48 PM »
On another note, I have heard that some big rabonim that go to hotels as speakers bring their own food. I still find it strange since ppl look at big rav X and say if he's going it must be pretty kosher...

Offline dvol

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #326 on: April 20, 2017, 02:31:51 PM »
Sorry we didn't get to meet up!

didn't sound like you were there long enough :P

Offline theduke

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #327 on: April 20, 2017, 02:36:03 PM »
I registered the domain PesachPrograms.com and will create a website as soon as time permits.
Nice, now get some in-depth reviews

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #328 on: April 20, 2017, 02:37:22 PM »
On another note, I have heard that some big rabonim that go to hotels as speakers bring their own food.

If not for the food, what draws them there? Do they get paid any significant $$ besides for their stay being covered?
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Offline henche

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #329 on: April 20, 2017, 02:37:51 PM »
Nice, now get some in-depth reviews

Frum people never do real reviews because they're afraid it's lashon hara. That's why stories like this happen

Offline as2

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #330 on: April 20, 2017, 02:39:08 PM »
Frum people never do real reviews because they're afraid it's lashon hara. That's why stories like this happen
I'm sure he'll accept first person accounts from non jewish/frum employees in the kitchen as well
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Offline grodnoking

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #331 on: April 20, 2017, 02:42:52 PM »
I registered the domain PesachPrograms.com and will create a website as soon as time permits.
Maybe try something more general, like Yom Tov program because there are other holidays which people go to hotels too
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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #332 on: April 20, 2017, 02:43:18 PM »
Don't know about Kashrus agencies, but IMHO any program labeled as "luxury", probably wouldn't have Kashrus standards as their top priority (I am not saying they don't care about Kashrus, but I would guess that it's not top priority, but rather the "luxury" aspect is the top priority).
That's nonsense.
Trustworthy programs like KMR and POTM where I was this year advertise luxury and have strong kashrus standards.

POTM is run by a shliach at a Four Seasons and all of the Rabonim and mashgichim ate the program's regular food as well.

What boggles my mind is why anyone would have signed up to attend a Prime program or any program that is run by a sheister...
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Offline theduke

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #333 on: April 20, 2017, 02:43:39 PM »
If not for the food, what draws them there? Do they get paid any significant $$ besides for their stay being covered?
I would assume they get paid, why else would you do it?

Offline Dan

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #334 on: April 20, 2017, 02:44:53 PM »
If not for the food, what draws them there? Do they get paid any significant $$ besides for their stay being covered?
Top-tier speakers do.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #335 on: April 20, 2017, 02:45:37 PM »
I would assume they get paid, why else would you do it?
A free all-inclusive suite for 10 days was good enough for me.
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Offline theduke

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #336 on: April 20, 2017, 02:47:25 PM »
A free all-inclusive suite for 10 days was good enough for me.
All inclusive means the food, but if you are not gonna eat the food then I sure hope you get paid. But in your case seems like you got compensated pretty nicely for a speech, pretty good gig if you can get one :)

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #337 on: April 20, 2017, 02:48:40 PM »
Frum people never do real reviews because they're afraid it's lashon hara.
Not anymore. Just read through some of the restaurant & destination threads.

Offline Menachem613

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #338 on: April 20, 2017, 02:52:15 PM »
I was there.

The program was complete chaos and disorganization. I was there last year as well and while the food was awful, there was plenty of it and we had a nice time since the property is gorgeous and we enjoyed the crowd. This year was just ridiculous. Not enough food, no tea room, nobody to talk to about the multiple issues.

Regarding the article above, the story was that the hotel gave the program a bill of about $250k at the end of the program for services they claimed they provided (on top of what the program had already paid them) which the program claimed was inaccurate. The program owner slipped out of the hotel at 4AM after chag.

We checked out early since our flight was early afternoon and all was fine. About 1pm the hotel realized that the owner of the program had skipped town and so they started detaining guests and refusing to allow them to leave the property without paying extravagant amounts, from $5k-$35k per family...

The property is about a mile or more off the main road. There is a long road (about 5-10 minutes) once you get off the highway to the property. There are 3 security checkpoints along that road and they do not let you off the property without a pass from the hotel showing you are paid up in full.

As far as I know everyone left, paid with their Amex cards and are planning to dispute these charges.

Omg

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Re: Pesach Program in Greece Cancelled Just Now!
« Reply #339 on: April 20, 2017, 03:09:56 PM »
That's nonsense.
Trustworthy programs like KMR and POTM where I was this year advertise luxury and have strong kashrus standards.
I never said they don't have strong Kashrus standards.

However, even with strong Kashrus standards, FWIU there are always compromises that not everyone would gladly accept if they were fully aware (talk to mashgichim). Especially when it comes to Pesach, while some things might just be "chumros", for someone who follows the Rebbe's directives, there seems to be very strict guidance regarding gebrokts. It is close to impossible to maintain that standard in a hotel where not everyone is aware and cares about it.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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