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Writer's pictureJodi Samuels

101 Journeys of Gratitude: Shabbat, Kosher Travels, and Family Adventures


The first Shabbat of the year is all about gratitude. I am a travelholic. Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 is destination 101!! Yes, you heard it I have visited 101 countries… many like India 🇮🇳 Thailand 🇹🇭Greece 🇬🇷 and Mexico 🇲🇽 multiple times!


We travel on a budget, keep kosher and Shabbat! So our journeys require lots of planning, flexibility and the willingness to go with the flow!!


I am thankful for:

The amazing places I have been, the opportunity to experience diverse cultures, and meeting interesting people.


My kids have been to over 50 countries and have a profound understanding of the world, politics, and culture. Caila has the opportunity to learn so much visually that would be so difficult in a classroom setting.


The fact that my husband and kids are adventurous and willing to live on bananas, tuna and avocados.


I so appreciate Chabad all over the world and the 94 Chabad houses that have provided us with hot meals, Shabbat, and holiday hospitality. There is a huge sacrifice that these families make to provide Jewish life all over the world.


I am grateful that through Gavin’s work travel, we have status on a few airlines and we earn lots of frequent flyer miles.


Thanks to the Points Guy email posts I have figured out how to maximize our credit card points. It’s amazing how many free hotel nights a year we squeeze out of card benefits.


Living in a sought-after area in Jerusalem means that we are able to rent out our home or do house swops and fund a huge part of the travel budget. An extra thanks for this year that we found families willing to exchange even though we do not have a bomb shelter.


Cecile, we could not do it without you managing the property while we are away. The added benefit we give our home a thorough inside-out cleaning 4 -5 times a year.


Finally gratitude to the Almighty for creating such a beautiful universe!


Shabbat Shalom

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