Joe Yudin
Citizenship in Israel did not only bring rights and privileges but certain duties as well. In October 1992, Joseph was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces and volunteered for the Paratroopers, serving on the front lines in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank. In the IDF Reserves, Joe has served on the front lines in the West Bank during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002 and in the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006. After his regular army service Joseph worked for the United Jewish Communities raising money and awareness for Israel as well as recruiting American teens and parents to journey to the Land of Israel to experience their homeland for themselves in a special way. Joe soon concluded his studies at the University of Haifa, studying under Avner Goren and other leading professors in the fields of History, Archaeology, Botany, Judaism, Christianity, Geology, Islam and other relevant subjects.
Joe holds a B.A. degree in History from Boston University and an M.A. degree in the Land of Israel Studies from the University of Haifa. Joe is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in this field.
Joseph settled down on a small agricultural village (Moshav) in the Jezreel Valley becoming a tour guide in 1997. He worked as an educator for the Alexander Muss High School in Israel program teaching Jewish History and Israel Studies. He has lectured at the Jezreel Valley College and other institutions and has guided various Jewish, Christian, interfaith and non-denominational groups including NFTY, Ramah, Hillel, Birthright, Canadian Israel Experience, the Israel Experience, Project Understanding as well as many dozens of groups from the business world. Joseph also has guided hundreds of private tours for individuals, families, activity clubs (mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, etc) bar/bat mitzvah groups and congregational groups.
