A grand chol hamoed cultural celebration on the Mediterranean shore
Our tradition of giving our guests extraordinary cultural experiences reaches a brand-new peak this coming chol hamoed. On Monday, April 6th, we’ll host a special event created just for our guests.
We’re proud to present the headline show of chol hamoed, uniting on a single stage two of the biggest names in Jewish culture and entertainment.
An event of this scale demands intricate logistical planning, and it’s designed to give our audience hours of pure joy and pleasure at the standard of the world’s greatest large-scale productions.
A rare blend of sweeping music and razor-sharp humor
The musical half of the evening will be led by the one-of-a-kind voice of beloved singer Chaim Yisrael, considered one of the cornerstones of Jewish music.
With dozens of hits that have crossed every community and background, he knows how to get thousands dancing and, moments later, move them to tears with soul-stirring ballads.
His high-energy stage presence and singular voice have made him a superstar who performs in the largest arenas.
Alongside the musical high, the audience will enjoy refined, intelligent humor delivered on stage by the media personality Kobi Arieli, familiar to us all.
Arieli’s rare gift for weaving sharp satire together with the world of the Orthodox and observant community turns every one of his appearances into a genuine gem.
He manages to make you laugh and think at the same time, and pairing him that evening with sweeping music creates the perfect balance – the ultimate entertainment experience for the whole family.
Barbecue nights and community togetherness after the shows
The pampering doesn’t end when the curtain falls. The moment the headline show wraps, guests are invited to carry the celebration into the night with a lavish barbecue evening in our signature style.
Under a canopy of stars and the crisp Mediterranean air, we’ll set out enormous buffets loaded with premium meats grilled on the spot. It’s a chance to sit with friends and family and share impressions of the show over an indulgent meat feast prepared by professional chefs.
As part of our deep connection to the community, admission to the show is free to every Jewish visitor staying in Greece – subject only to advance registration, given the limited seating in the hall.
Worth emphasizing: Shainfeld guests staying with us at the Crete Maris resort need no registration at all – your VIP seats are already reserved and guaranteed. This approach proves our commitment to giving our guests the most exclusive experience possible.
Crete Maris resort delivers a Caribbean-style getaway
The setting for this magnificent event is nothing short of breathtaking. This coming holiday, we’re taking you to the Crete Maris resort, regarded as one of the largest and most prestigious vacation complexes in all of Europe.
The resort operates at an especially spectacular standard throughout our all-inclusive Passover program, built with tremendous care. Picture a pastoral resort village spread across nearly forty acres of pure luxury, designed throughout in a style reminiscent of the magical Caribbean islands.
The property is a magnet for the world’s elite, with a private helipad and a beach reserved for hotel guests alone.
The hotel enjoys an especially strategic location, just a twenty-minute drive from the airport. What’s more, the resort sits right in the heart of the lively Hersonissos area, letting guests step straight out of the hotel onto a beautiful promenade and shopping centers.
Venture beyond the hotel grounds and you’ll discover just how stunning the Cretan landscape is – a rare mix of turquoise beaches and breathtaking mountain scenery that fills the heart with inspiration and calm.
A pro tip: if you want to elevate the experience to absolute VIP level, ask to reserve one of our luxury suites set right on the waterfront.
These suites come with a private swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi right inside the room – and just one step from the Mediterranean waves. It’s the perfect retreat for complete quiet after the electric show.
Recreation and water facilities unrivaled in Europe
Inside the resort, vast open spaces await, giving you a genuine sense of freedom. Seventeen different swimming pools are spread across the grounds, offering wonderful spots to relax.
Wellness lovers can enjoy an enormous spa center offering beauty treatments and professional massages, along with a fully equipped, state-of-the-art fitness room.
At the center of the resort stand impressive buildings housing the large conference halls, where three beautifully appointed synagogues will also operate – in both Sephardic and Ashkenazi rites – to provide a perfect spiritual home.
Please note: while the outdoor water park is closed during Passover due to the season, our two heated pools (one indoor and one outdoor, among the 17 on the property) will guarantee you and the children a warm, pleasant swim in any weather.
Knowing there’s always the option to swim in warm water brings complete peace of mind to families looking to combine leisure and sport during the days of chol hamoed.
Uncompromising fine cuisine – glatt kosher, non-gebrokts and free of kitniyot
When it comes to Passover, the culinary question sits at the top of the priority list.
The entire vacation is served at a standard of glatt kosher, non-gebrokts and free of kitniyot, under the close kosher supervision of Rabbi Yaakov Gluskin.
This care lets you enjoy tremendous abundance with total confidence. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at enormous buffets brimming with every good thing, offering a variety of fresh meats, fine fish and elaborate salads.
Food is a fundamental part of our identity and appears in every detail of the heritage of excellence we so carefully preserve.
Compare our culinary operation to other luxury competitors and the numbers speak for themselves:
Crete Maris’s local kitchen team, numbering around 150, joins a broad task force of more than 100 culinary staff we flew in specially. That means a staff-to-guest ratio unprecedented in the industry, ensuring every dish comes out hot, fresh and beautifully plated – with no long lines and no delays.
The Irish lounge and around-the-clock indulgence for hotel guests
This year we decided to elevate the indulgence and open four central bars across the resort, including two locations of the famous Irish lounge and two open-air pool bars.
That means at any moment during the day you can find a pleasant corner to sit in and enjoy hot and cold drinks, fresh fruit and wonderful cakes. These spots are a magnet at every premium kosher vacation we produce around the world throughout the year.
A critical detail that sets our lounges apart: the pampering at the bar goes well beyond soft drinks.
All day long you can freely enjoy an enormous selection of fine wines and Italian, French and American cocktails mixed on the spot by professional bartenders.
Everything is open, everything is complimentary, and everything is at a true premium standard.
A nonstop lineup of stars and speakers throughout the holiday
The headline show is just the tip of the iceberg in a rich artistic program. Alongside it, a dream team of artists and public figures will appear.
Among others, we’ll host lectures by political analyst Amit Segal, who will bring deep, fascinating analysis of the political arena together with sharp humor and keen behind-the-scenes insights. These captivating talks add an unusual depth to your stay at the hotel.
On the musical side, our time will be enriched by cantor and singer Yisrael Gottesdiener and the electrifying artist Yishai Lapidot, whose songs are favorites in every home. Joining the roster of stars are maestro Dudi Leibovich, singer Moshe Roicher and the talented arranger Roli Mandelzon.
To add interest and entertainment for the whole family, mentalist Ben Kela will perform a fascinating telepathy show that will captivate adults and children alike.
A whole world of experiences and memories for the entire family
We understand that a real vacation begins when the children are happy, so we’ve arranged a complete package of activities designed for the younger generation. The resort will run an enormous playroom managed by a team of professional, devoted counselors.
While you enjoy a spa treatment or a fascinating lecture, the children will spend their time in creative workshops and safe, fun group games – ensuring peace of mind throughout the entire vacation. Our care for families is a foundation that has earned countless reviews from returning guests who choose us year after year.
Adrenaline-loving families will find an array of water sports near the resort, including water skiing and sailing. Those who prefer to stay on land can head out on challenging jeep tours in the island’s mountains or enjoy a quality shopping outing.
You can keep these beautiful moments forever – just like the ones you’ll find in the moving photo gallery on our website, which captures the power of the experience.
An uplifting holiday atmosphere and a regal Shabbat table by the sea
Beyond the entertainment and leisure, the beating heart of the vacation is the preservation of tradition. The Seder will open with a moving cantorial prayer in the synagogue, after which we’ll move to dining rooms set for a regal Seder, accompanied by traditional gourmet dishes.
We offer several options, including a central Seder for the different communities as well as private family Seders, so every guest feels at ease. The prayers and liturgical songs in the magnificent halls will give you an experience of spiritual elevation like no other.
Shabbat chol hamoed opens with a grand kiddusha rabba featuring all the familiar Shabbat delicacies – from signature kugels to smoked fish and fine cheesecakes.
The blend of uplifting prayers and a table set with endless abundance creates a perfect Jewish harmony that’s hard to find anywhere else. This is your chance to disconnect from the grind of routine and reconnect with tradition in an especially warm, enveloping setting.
Your perfect Passover vacation begins here
The grand show by Chaim Yisrael and Kobi Arieli, together with the exquisite cuisine at the Crete Maris resort, create a rare mosaic of quality and professionalism. This is your opportunity to give your family a true festival of freedom, where every minute is planned in advance.
Don’t miss this wonderful experience – one that will give you fresh strength for the entire year ahead. We’d love to see you among the many guests who have already secured their place at one of the most sought-after vacations in Europe.
The devoted team at Shainfeld Tours is at your service from the moment you book until you return home smiling. We invite you not to waste time and to head over to the contact page on our website to reserve your spot at the most talked-about event of the coming year.