By Elizabeth Johnson

Travel has always been about more than geography. For many Jewish families, it is also about memory, continuity, and connection to history, culture, and one another. From cities across Europe to emerging communities in Latin America and Asia, and even in neighborhoods closer to home, Jewish life carries stories that stretch across borders and generations.

With our new feature,“ Where to Next?”, we will uncover those vibrant stories and the places that hold them. The column will be written by Roni Fishkin, whose decades of leadership within Charlotte’ s Jewish community and long career in the travel industry uniquely position her to guide readers through meaningful travel experiences.

When Roni and I met for coffee recently, what was meant to be a quick catch-up turned into a much longer( and equally marvelous) conversation about community, family, travel, and the kinds of stories worth sharing. Before long, it became clear to me that Roni was exactly the voice to bring this idea to life.

Bginning next month, she will examine destinations through a distinctly Jewish lens, highlighting the communities, histories, and lived experiences that give a place its character. Her focus is not just where to go, but what we might discover when we arrive.

To introduce the column, Fishkin shared a few of her reflections on community, travel, the unexpected discoveries along the way, and the journeys ahead.

When your family moved to Charlotte in 1992, you quickly immersed yourself in Jewish communal life at The Levine JCC, eventually becoming its first female president. Looking back, what did those early years teach you about what it takes to build a strong Jewish community? We were thrilled to have found such a vibrant and engaging Jewish community when we arrived from New York. I wanted my kids( and all of us) to build strong relationships and stay connected to tradition, especially since we came here without family or shared history.

I quickly learned that being involved in the community would create the connections I was searching for in our new home. I also learned that one person really can make a difference. I feel grateful to follow in the footsteps of the visionary people whose imagination and commitment built this community.

Little did we know then that we were putting down roots that would last a lifetime. One of the greatest blessings is seeing those same values passed on to my husband Glenn’ s and my children

, who are now building their own Jewish connections in the communities where they live.

You’ ve served on nearly every major Jewish agency board in Charlotte. How has seeing the community from that vantage point shaped the way you think about connection, and how does travel fit into that larger story? Serving on multiple boards gave me a front-row seat to the growth of Charlotte’ s Jewish community throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and the opportunity to take on leadership roles was truly a gift. I probably never would have had those same opportunities if we had stayed in New York.

Some of my closest friendships were forged through shared work on committees and boards. Working together toward common goals creates powerful bonds.

And somehow, travel works in a very similar way. When you experience something new and exciting with people you care about, it deepens your connection both to those people and to the places you visit.

You spent 30 years at Mann Travels, beginning in events and ultimately leading Marketing. Over those decades in the travel industry, what did you come to understand about why people travel and what they’ re really searching for when they do? Over the years, I’ ve seen a real evolution in what travelers prioritize, especially since COVID-19. Today, people are looking for experiences and connections. They want quality time with loved ones and immersive, authentic moments. People are no longer content to see the world through a bus window – they want to dive in and experience the culture, food, and traditions of the places they visit.

I also see travelers becoming more thoughtful about their impact. There’ s a growing awareness about protecting our oceans, avoiding overtourism, and respecting the communities we encounter along the way.

You’ ve said you prefer adventure and immersive experiences to a week at the beach. What, for you, distinguishes a meaningful trip from simply going away? Now, don’ t get me wrong, a beautiful Caribbean resort and toes in the sand are pretty good too! But personally, I love trips that include some kind of adventure or experience.

That might mean learning to cook paella in Barcelona, meeting knitters in rural Peru, swimming at a historic bathhouse in Budapest, or having tea with residents of a Druze village in Israel.

Those off-the-beaten-path moments of connecting with different cultures and personalities are

what make travel truly unforgettable for me.

Jewish travel can mean many things, from heritage journeys to culinary exploration to understanding contemporary Jewish life in unexpected places. When you use the phrase“ Jewish travel,” what does it mean to you? It really can mean all those things. Glenn and I try to visit at least one Jewish site whenever we travel. Sometimes that’ s easy and obvious and sometimes it takes a bit more effort.

One memorable lesson came in Istanbul during a time when relations between Turkey and Israel were strained. We decided to visit a synagogue but neglected to contact them in advance, showing up unannounced. Let’ s just say it did not go well.

Undercover security agents quickly converged on us as we approached the building and escorted us rather firmly up the street. It was a sobering reminder that researching Jewish sites and arranging visits ahead of time is always a smart idea.

For readers who may be considering a trip that connects to their Jewish identity, what are the elements that elevate an itinerary from sightseeing to something more intentional and resonant? For me, it’ s about uncovering a connection you didn’ t anticipate. You might assume a trip to Israel wouldn’ t hold many surprises in terms of Jewish experiences but on one visit, we went on a vegan food tour across Tel Aviv.

We spent the day learning how Israel has become a global leader in vegan cuisine, all while meeting the chefs and restaurateurs who are influencing the movement. We tasted regional dishes I had never heard of and learned something new about contemporary Israeli life.

Sometimes, creating enriching Jewish travel experiences just requires thinking outside of the box, wherever in the world you may be.

In your new column for The Charlotte Jewish News,“ Where to Next?” what can readers expect from you, and what do you hope they will take away from it month after month? I genuinely hope readers will feel inspired to incorporate some kind of Jewish experience into their travels whenever possible. There are so many ways to weave Jewish history, culture, food, and community into a trip, from well-known landmarks to lesser-known discoveries.

You might visit the famous synagogues of Budapest or Rome, but you could just as easily seek out the historic synagogue in Curaçao or explore Berlin’ s growing Israeli expat community.

Sometimes it’ s as simple as trying a kosher restaurant in an unlikely place. My hope is that readers will begin looking for those Jewish connections wherever their travels take them.

After decades of involvement in Charlotte’ s Jewish life and a lifetime of travel, what continues to surprise or move you when you encounter Jewish communities around the world? It may sound a bit cliché, but there is something incredibly moving when encountering Jewish life in the most unlikely places. It reminds me that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Like a shared story that stretches back centuries and simultaneously continues into the future.

One of my favorite examples happened during Chanukah in 2005. We were in Costa Rica, dining in a small, unassuming restaurant deep in the rain forest, when we suddenly heard Chanukah prayers being sung at a nearby table. We had no idea there was even a small Jewish community in the area, including the owners of the restaurant we had wandered into.

Before long, we were all singing together, complete with a lively rendition of“ Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.” It was one of those magical travel moments you simply can’ t plan.

On a lighter note: what are the top five essentials you cannot travel without? This is one of my favorite questions to ask travel professionals, although, admittedly, my answers are not particularly glamorous. First: packing cubes keep everything organized.

Second: streamlined tech- one compact foldable charger that powers my phone, watch, and AirPods. A portable power bank is also a lifesaver!

Third: basic medications. If I’ m cruising, I always bring

Glenn and Roni Fishkin

something for seasickness.

Fourth: comfortable shoes. I don’ t always follow my own advice here, but your feet and back will thank you if you choose comfort over fashion on long walking days.

And finally: a neck fan for hot or humid destinations. I like to pretend it looks like some kind of high-tech audio gear, but it keeps me cool and much less cranky!

Many cities and countries have clearly left their mark on you. What other destinations have shaped you, and what’ s still on your bucket list? It’ s very difficult for me to pick favorites and my bucket list is still very long. It includes. India, Japan, and New Zealand as well as many places in the United States I hope to see. Some destinations that have already left a strong impression include Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, which were fascinating even though there weren’ t many Jewish connections there.

Berlin was another surprise. I knew about the history, but I didn’ t realize the city commanded such a vibrant atmosphere and had a phenomenal food scene. We went on an extraordinary trip to Africa two years ago. It was my second visit, and I would go back tomorrow. It’ s a remarkable adventure.

But the truth is that any destination can be amazing if you are with people you care about and you keep an open, curious mind.

Where to Next? explores Jewish life around the world through history, culture, and lived experience. With each installment, Roni Fishkin will highlight destinations and communities that illuminate the many ways Jewish identity continues to unfold across continents and generations.