Sest
Selection
I n town
The lake promenade of Lugano-Paradiso.
CHRYSLER
Corner of Pontiac Trail & S. Commerce Rds.
WALLED LAKE
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The Swiss Tahiti
Has A Jewish Tam
RUTH ROVNER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
W
ith palm trees dot-
ting the lakeside
and lush tropical
flowers in bloom,
Lugano seems like the Tahiti
of Switzerland.
Besides its tropical-style
scenery, gardens and expan-
sive lake, this Swiss-style
Tahiti is a town of mixed
ethnic flowers. It's situated in
the Italian-speaking area of
Switzerland, so the lilt of
Italian and the flavors of
gelato are in the air here.
There's a Jewish flavor, too.
In fact, for the Jewish
traveler, lovely Lugano offers
quite a few surprises.
In the midst of a resort
town, that's both Swiss and
Italian, there's a fully kosher
hotel, a synagogue with dai-
ly minyans, a store selling
unusual Judaica gifts and a
Jewish community that is
small — just 35 families — but
very active and observant.
Even for those not staying at
the Hotel Dan, a visit to the
three-star hotel at Via Fon-
tana is a good starting point
for exploring Jewish Lugano.
Outside, a sign posted near
the shrubs announces the
hotel in Hebrew and English.
Inside, there are picture win-
dows opening onto gardens
and a large and airy prayer
room on the lobby level. In the
lobby closet, there are tallit
and even high black Chasidic
hats.
The hotel draws observant
Jews from Europe, Israel and
the United States. The chief
rabbi of Rome, Dr. Elio Toaff,
has stayed here, and so has
the grand rabbi of Romania,
as well as all the rabbis from
Switzerland.
There are minyans three
times a day; and for special
occasions like bar mitzvahs,
the dining room can accom-
modate 250 guests.
Whether it's a special occa-
sion or regular dinner, the
dining room features an eclec-
tic kosher cuisine. "We do
Italian, French, Swiss — all
styles," says Pinchas Gefen,
son of the manager. "We have
Polish gefilte fish, French
specialties, and Italian dishes
like osso bucco, spaghetti,
cannelloni.
There's also a specially
made non-dairy gelato. "And
some people come especially
for that — they love it," says
Mr. Gefen.
It's only a short walk from
the Hotel Dan to a store near
the lake which carries an
The Jews of
Lugano have
managed to hold
daily minyans for
50 years.
unusual assortment of high
quality Judaica.
Antique silver menorot and
mezuzot, Havdalah boxes,
seder plates, kiddish cups,
rIbrah covers — all these are
on display with other silver
and antique works in Galit-
zky, a Jewish-owned silver
shop at Riva Vela near the
Hotel Excelsior. It's been in
existence for over 70 years.
"We've always carried
Judaica, from all over the
world," says Serena Galitzky,
who, at age 91, still comes in
every day.
With a friendly smile and
bright blue eyes, she stands