Rome’s Jewish Ghetto

It’s a tale as old as time, one seemingly repeated everywhere I go. Jews settle in a place, and all is well for a while. Then we become scapegoats, used by the political powers as outsiders, as people to blame for whatever is going on. This escalates into forced conversions, ghettos, expulsions, and attempted exterminations.…

The Churches of Rome

Rome has more than 900 churches. Yes, more than 900! This is the most of any city in the world, and it isn’t especially close. It is an overwhelming number, and given how many of them are considered beautiful or important - or both - seeing churches can become an all-consuming part of a trip…

Los Angeles’ Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple

From inside the complex, it’s hard to remember that I’m less than a half hour from downtown Los Angeles. The Ming Dynasty style pagodas and shrines of the Hsi Lai Temple gleam in the sun. The gardens, ornate and calming, stand in contrast to the literally dozens of statues lining almost every passageway. Brown clothed…

Jewish in Buenos Aires

Yes, I am Jewish. While I am no longer overtly active in a religious sense, it is a huge part of my identity. So one of the things I made sure to make a part of my trip to Buenos Aires was to explore a bit of the Jewish community here. After all, Argentina has…

Why You Should Visit Savannah

Editor’s note: Like Sam, I also visited Savannah and Charleston in a single trip. However, my opinions are a bit skewed since I had a beautiful day in Savannah and nothing but rain in Charleston. Regardless, both are great, and it is wonderful to have these articles back to back from Sam Spector. For more…

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Editor’s note: Siem Reap, Cambodia is indeed a world-class destination. In three days there, I experienced temple overload, with so many amazing sites blending together. You can read my views of the place by clicking here, then read Sam’s experiences! For more of Sam’s awesome adventures, click here to visit his index page. In 2006,…