Testimonials
August 30, 2010
Dear Shira,
Maybe you hear this all the time but these trips, aside from the day I met Rhonda and the birth of my children, have been the best days of my life and I can't thank you enough.
Thanks!
Mark Fleisher, MD
Jacksonville, FL
August 23, 2010
Joe,
Thank you again for a wonderful tour--we found you by accident last year and I do not think we will use anyone else in the future! Shira was patient and accommodating while Gil and Joe N. each offered a professional and unique flavor to our tiyulim (tours).
Warmest Regards and Shabbat Shalom,
Shira and Binny Hahn
Teaneck, NJ
July 8, 2010
Hi Joe,
A short email to tell you how wonderful our vacation was -- a very interesting "National Geographic field-trip" that was educational and fun! Your teaching and commentating were extremely valuable in making sense of and understanding a complex history and geography. You are an entertaining and thoughtful teacher and guide! Thanks for your flexibility in accommodating our interests and needs.
Thanks,
Janet and Mike Shields
Michigan
June 16, 2010
We have been to Israel many times and our family is very connected to the Jewish State. This year we toured with Joe Yudin from Touring Israel. It was like visiting the country for the first time. His passion for Israel and his ability to relate both biblical Israel and modern day Israel for us as adults and our kids was a remarkable experience. He geared many of our experiences for our young kids as they begin their connection to Israel and it has payed huge dividends. Touring Israel was professional and organized and we definitely intend to tour with them again on our next visit.
Andrew Sussman, NYC
May 18, 2010
Our family visited Israel April 2010. Included were our daughter, Gina, age 17, Bob and Jan ("fifty-ish") and Bob's parents, who are 77 and 79. Joe was our guide in Tel Aviv and on a driving tour of the north, including Caesaria, and Jon took us through the old city in Jerusalem and to the Dead Sea and Masada. Jon and Joe made Israel and her story come alive. They are both so knowledgeable and informed, Jon, in the complex sociopolitical climate of Israel, and Joe, in the lore and history. They were extraordinarily considerate of the different needs of the group, picking routes so that the parents could rest when needed, yet also keeping the younger one well-entertained and active. The sights and restaurants that were recommended to us in Jerusalem were excellent, and both guides figured out our tastes and interests quickly, and catered well to everyone. Their perspective as Americans who have moved to live permanently in Israel was very interesting for us, and their accents were particularly easy for the parents to understand, even though, for Californians, a New York accent is a stretch. Before our trip, my in-laws were a little uneasy, since we were not going on a big packaged tour, as they are accustomed to. However, Joe and Jon made the trip so comfortable, easy and fun, we all had a great time, with no worries, and the tour was much more personal, customized and flexible. When I initially read the testimonials on the website, I thought they might be too good to be true, but found that reality exceeded even my expectations. We had the best shawarma, the best guides, the best time.
Thank you so much,
Jan, Bob, Gina, Ron and Arline
Los Angeles, CA
May 7, 2010
Dear Joe,
There is no way we could adequately thank you for the life-changing time we have spent with you over the recent days. Your expertise, patience, kindness and friendship has welcomed us to your beautiful nation and people in such a hospitable manner. You have truly been a gift to us "for such a time as this."
Thank you for not just guiding us, but teaching us and opening up to us. You will always be called friend and we will always love Israel. We thank God for you and pray His blessings upon you and your family in the days to come.
With Love,
David & Sarah Simerson
Cannon Falls, Minnesota
April 12, 2010
Hi Joe,
It was an awesome tour. Jonathan outdid himself. We really enjoyed him and would recommend him to anyone.
How are things over there? We pray for peace for Israel. Let us know if there's something specific we need to pray about.
Randy McDonald
Ralls County, Missouri, USA
April 6, 2010
Dear Joe,
Thanks so much for guiding us through our homeland. You combined the perfect amount of education, recreation, religion, and spirit in ensuring that young and old had an amazing time. Thanks too for all that you do for the Jewish people (and in particular for us, the diaspora Jews) by having fought for us and by continuing to defend us by living and raising your family in Israel. I hope your inspiration will forever encourage us to be good Jews and Zionists and that our paths cross again. We will never forget you.
With all our love,
Vivi, Rebecca, Alex, Oliver, and Ed Fisher
Manhattan, NY
March 18, 2010
Dear Joe,
I really wasn't quite sure when you said that Naphtali knows where every rock is in Israel. I was wrong - Naphtali knows where every pebble is! I just wanted to say that he was absolutely brilliant, knew exactly what we wanted and delivered way beyond that. We saw sites that we could never seen with a standard tour and sites that were not in any general guide books. He could skip effortlessly from Old to New Testament, from Nabatean ruins to Roman roads and ancient irrigation systems to current disputes in archaeology. And all done with great humour and charm! I would not only recommend him to friends and colleagues visiting Israel but I would use any means to get them to hire him as he improved our trip by 100%.
Thank you for all your help in arranging this.
Yours,
Hilary Bell
London, England
February 19, 2010
To Whom it May Concern:
My wife and I were fortunate to utilize Joe Yudin as a private guide for our first but not last journey to Israel in October 2009. Along with a third traveling companion, Joe was our guide, educator, provocateur and source of an unimaginable wealth of knowledge as we spent probably the best ten days of our relatively extensive travel experience. We have enjoyed many private guides in our various travels but Joe is far ahead of the column and we unreservedly recommend him if you wish exposure to a wealth of knowledge regarding history, culture, archeology, political economy, religion, art, food and geography of this fascinating country. Joe’s attention to detail, concern for his client’s safety, respect for differing political or theological opinion and intense desire to please his clients is second to none. Working with a local agency for housing, transportation and other logistical details, the trip was essentially perfect from beginning to end. We heartily endorse and recommend the services of Joe Yudin, guide extraordinaire.
Ron and Carol Waeckerlin
Cheyenne WY
February 10, 2010
As a business owner if we have a star, we put them on our best programs and Jonathan is a star.
Jonathan made the educational and historical part of the trip so interesting. He made all the sites with its history come together and connect so that a person like myself who is not up to date, can truly understand and not feel lost. Jonathan is so much fun and has a magnetic personality and caters to all ages. We could relate to him because he is an American and yet he is so passionate and loyal about Israel. He made us laugh and really was able to be one of us. I think that Jonathan made the trip!
With Warmest Regards,
Diane, Stephen, Jason, Jaime, Carly, and Cassidy Shooster
Ft. Lauderdale Florida
December 8, 2009
Ari,
Hope you have recovered from the week with “the girls + Ed”. Just looked and the pictures from the trip. May need to reconfirm the names of a few locations with you. Can’t believe how fast it went. I was so inspired that I may even try to learn Hebrew again.
Incidentally I woke up to snow this morning!!
Just wanted to let you know that your expertise, patience and knowledge was so instrumental in making this adventure an incredible success. Personally, looking back it could have been a real disaster under the wrong guidance. Feel free to use me for a reference anytime.
Please stay in touch and let us know if you come to the states!
Best Regards,
Nancy E. Wasserstrom
Columbus, OH
February 9, 2010
Dear Joe,
Our family can’t thank you enough for all your hard work putting together a magnificent itinerary for our family’s first trip to Israel! Our guide, Ari, was one of the highlights of our trip! In addition to his depth of knowledge in areas ranging from all religions, archeology, languages, politics, culture, topography, history, and Israel, he was personable, had great sense of humor, and helped recommend fabulous restaurants! In addition, he served as our unofficial medical consultant when our 7 year old daughter cut her knee (we still found a way to get her into the Dead Sea pain free!). Ari expertly rearranged our schedule to suit our needs, making sure we saw everything we wanted to in the time we had. Truly an unforgettable trip.
Nelson, Ellen, & Rachel Robin
Germantown, Maryland
February 6, 2010
Dear Joe,
Terri, Nicholas and I can’t thank you enough for the fantastic experience we had touring with you through Israel back in November. You really helped us to maximize our short time there, and looking back I know we never could have seen nor done so much without the benefit of your insight and advice. You helped to make the Land of Israel come alive for us in so many ways, and you consistently exceeded our high expectations for a private tour guide.
I knew from your credentials and references that you would have a wealth of knowledge on the history of the Holy Land, but what really set you apart is the rare ability to adjust the message and level of detail to the needs of the specific audience and even to various degrees for individuals within the group. You were able to move seamlessly from the 30,000 foot view to a deep dive exploration on any topic of interest, both historical and current.
Obviously, one of the key benefits of a private guide is the ability to tailor an itinerary based on individual interests and preferences. You took a genuine interest in understanding our desires and organizing our trip accordingly, but you also were creative and flexible to identify options to adjust the itinerary on the fly. A great example was the unexpected opportunity to spend an afternoon touring Masada.
We hope to have the pleasure of touring with you again. Best wishes.
David Norwood
Doha, Qatar
January 21, 2010
Joseph,
We really enjoyed our recent visit to Israel with you and your colleagues as our guides. We appreciate your willingness to take us to various sites not often visited, and of your knowledge of the history, culture, and biblical detail. Debbie enjoyed sparring with you over details and would like to return to Israel to visit the sites we didn't get to. Also, she compared notes with friends who have visited Israel, and she is bragging how our tour was "much better than their large group tours".
Attached are some of the bird photos that I took during our visit -- feel free to use them in your web page to perhaps attract other birders. This was my first trip to Israel and even though it was winter, I saw 80 species of which 38 were "lifers" for me with. The names of the birds are in the file names (unfortunately the Egyptian Vultures don't arrive until February, but I did get some nice photos of the Griffon Vultures).
Sam said that the scarf for his female friend was a great hit.
Good luck on your PhD and best wishes.
Quinn Passey
Kingwood, TX
December 31, 2009
Joe:
You did a wonderful job making Israel come alive for our three daughters. Your ability to weave in biblical, classical and modern Israeli and Jewish history was superb and my daughters hung onto your every word. Our highlights of our time with you were probably the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and the dig at Beit Guvrin. I know it sounds like a small thing but I also very much appreciate your frequent “here let me take a picture of all of you”. With hindsight I wish I had contacted you earlier so that we could have spent more than just three days with you.
Regards
Mordechai Beizer
New York, NY
November 7, 2009
Hi Joe,
I want to formally thank you, for your brilliant guiding, on our recent holiday to Israel. This was my 60th birthday celebration, with my four children. We could not have had such a fantastic time, without your knowledge, effort and good humour.
Every day was a real adventure. From Tel Aviv, to Tiberias, Tzvat, Golan, Masada and Jerusalem. The Dead Sea was a major highlight, but the three girls especially enjoyed the archaeological dig, you organized.
The hotels arranged were all great, and in really useful locations. The restaurants suggested, were all really interesting and had great food and wine.
I've driven most places in Australia and Europe, but would not have enjoyed the Israeli style of dodgem driving. The big Mercedes van was very comfortable, and I still don't know how you always managed to find a parking spot next to where we wanted to go.
I would be happy to give you the biggest endorsement, if anybody cares to drop me an email. I can't wait to come over again, and see all of my favourite places, as well as letting you help me explore new spots. I hope you would be available again next time.
My very best regards,
Martin Sandler
Gold Coast, Australia
September 8, 2009
"Joe:
I wanted to tell you how fantastic Ari was as our guide for our eight day Christian tour of Israel. We are a family of 5, two parents and three teenaged boys. We all had a very meaningful - and fun time touring the Holy Land. Ari took us to places that weren't even in our guide book, and that made the trip more than special. He was very knowledgable about our Christian traditions and carefully (and patiently) escorted us to both Jewish and Christian holy sites. The restaurants, shops and stops that he introduced us created memories that will last for a lifetime. None of us can imagine ever going to Israel without having Ari lead us.
Thanks for your great team, and for giving us a wonderful adventure.
Please let me know if you have any questions."
Brad Wiewel
Austin, Texas
September 3, 2009
"Hi Joe
We have now returned from our cruise holiday on the Celebrity Equinox and just wanted to say a big 'thank you' to you for two fantastic days in Israel. We thoroughly enjoyed the tours and all agreed they were the best two days of tours we have had in our 7 years of cruising.
Your enthusiasm and knowledge knows no bounds and this made for a very memorable time for all of us. Jerusalem was definitely the highlight of our trip and we hope to return some day.
We would not hesitate to recommend you.
Best wishes for the future."
The Ager family (including the Coca- Cola kid!)
Hereford, UK
July 10, 2009
"I have travelled all over the world: China, Europe, Africa and with a personal guide at my side always. However ,none of them can compare to the tour given by Joe Yudin. He makes ancient history come alive and at the same time makes you feel that you are living in Israel today. His warmth and outgoing personality is contagious. He brings a relaxed atmosphere to any family who wants to get it all in under tight time constraints.
Thank you Joe, you're the best.
Sincerely,"
Richard Aarons
CEO AFD Contract Furniture Inc.
President AFD Realty Group
New York, NY
June 23, 2009
"Dear Joe,
We cannot thank you enough for making our 8 days in Israel incredibly exciting, meaningful, fascinating, and most importantly, just so much fun! Your seemingly endless knowledge and intense passion for Israel, combined with your animated storytelling style kept us involved and wanting to know more and more. We felt an immediate rapport with you from the first day and literally couldn't wait for each day to start. Our kids (13 and 16) loved spending the days with you...Lindsay is still talking about how you pushed her off the raft into the Jordan River! You know exactly how to relate to kids and keep them captivated and excited about the history they are seeing. Our itinerary could not have been better planned and personalized for our family; you gave us the perfect mix of historical sites and outdoor activities. Thanks also for the perfect restaurant recommendations each night and for your talented photography skills - I have never had such amazing pictures.
Looking back through our original email correspondence, you wrote "I guarantee that your family will have one of the greatest, most moving and lasting experiences of their lives here in Israel". We can honestly say that you exceeded our highest expectations.
Thanks again for everything. Keep in touch and please feel free to give our names as references."
The Turkels
NYC
May 19, 2009
"Dear Joe,
I do not normally write reviews or testimonials. But after the past week, I must make an exception: simply put, you made our week in Israel the best experience of our lifetime. There is no way that we could have covered so much ground in such a short period of time. You were able to masterfully move us from place to place, with no wasted waiting time. Moreover, you were able to change course easily and without fuss, as we expressed interest for other venues.
The itinerary that you selected for us was superb. As this was our first trip to Israel, we concentrated on Jerusalem, with day trips to Tel Aviv/ Caesarea and Masada. There was never a time where we felt rushed or out of step.
But it was not just the planning and the execution of the trip, but HOW it was presented! Your historical expertise put everything in perspective for us. Literally, you brought the country’s history to life.
We would gladly refer you to anyone who would require references, and will certainly plan our next trip around your availability.
Sincerely,"
Larry Mogelonsky
President
LMA Communications Inc.
Toronto, Canada
May 1, 2009
"Joe, I wanted to thank you for sending the reading list. Currently I am enjoying Exodus [by Leon Uris]. You were a most wonderful guide through Jerusalem. I grew so accustom to our time together. You are missed. I continue to process my time in Israel. It felt like bringing my body back to where my soul had been waiting. I cannot wait to return.
Shalom,"
Mindy Watson-Ward
Greenwood Village, CO
March 23, 2009
"Joe,
What can I say. Israel is so special, but you made it even more so. Your passion and love for everything Israel plus your knowledge, teaching and overall sense of the history and Jewish aspect of the country truly made the trip a homerun. The memories are indelible. Thanks for making it so special for me and my family.
All the best,"
Matt Weinberg
Manhattan, New York
February 18, 2009
"My husband and I recently visited Israel and engaged Joe Yudin of Touring Israel for a private whirlwind two-day Holy Land tour. The first day, Joe picked us up at the airport and we traveled north to Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and Capernaum. We spent the second day touring Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Joe was very intuitive; he quickly tailored the tour’s pace and tone to accommodate our style and preferences. We were delighted to find that Joe’s impressive subject-matter expertise about this historic land was further enhanced by his academic credentials, professional demeanor, warm personality, and refreshing openness about his adopted country. The fact that Joe holds a dual American/Israeli citizenship - born and raised in New York - added to the sense of esprit de corps among travelers in a foreign land. We felt that he understood why we were there and left confident that he was instrumental in helping us to realize our hopes and dreams for the journey. We could not have been more pleased. We hope to someday return to this beautiful and engaging country, and to again travel with Joe."
Glenda Dayton,
Investment Writer
Bastrop, Texas
January 10, 2009
"Dear Joe & Naftali;
We can not thank you enough for the wonderful trip through Israel you put together for us back in November 2008. It could not have been better and we mean that sincerely.
* The details you worked out of places to visit and sights to see---we feel you made the absolute best use of the two weeks we had in Israel.
* The drivers and the additional three guides you arranged were always on time, very knowledgeable, congenial and a pleasure to be with for each occasion.
* The lectures and information that was constantly given---Galen took notes a good share of the time and we have been putting that together with our photos. After we have been home for a while we are starting to digest what we absorbed in those two weeks. We find that we are motivated to do more and more research and study.
* The Biblical references were not only referred to, but also sometimes even read from the Bible. This was very thoughtful and made the sights even more meaningful.
Our Christmas card really says it all “the trip of a lifetime” and the true meaning of these words could not be more strongly felt and you were a big part of that.
To be able to put the visual with the literary and verbal is priceless. The week we arrived home the first sermon we heard in our church service was based on the text having to do with Jesus feeding the 5,000 on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Our visual took us there immediately. One of Wanyce’s Bible readings this week was Gen. 20:1 – 22:24---you can imagine how embellished that was!
We can not think of anyway our trip could have been better! Even your picture taking was special – always one regular image and one close-up. We have sung your praises here with whomever we told of our trip. Your timing was also perfect – often planned to beat the tour groups. We never felt we were in harms way. We would love to travel there again with you some day.
Right now we watch the news many times a day – even reading the Jerusalem Post by way of the internet keeping up on news in the Gaza Strip. You, your families, and Israel are in our thoughts and prayers.
May we see you again some day."
Wanyce and Galen Thostenson
December 25, 2008
"Hey Joe,
Shalom from California! Although I've said this to you several times before, I wanted to express my deep gratitude to you one more time for making this trip so enjoyable for all of us. As a Hindu who had very little knowledge of the Bible or Judaism prior to this trip, I have found these past 10 days to be a truly life-changing experience. Your stories brought the history of Israel to life, and your passion and enthusiasm was infectious, sparking my curiosity in topics that I had previously found uninteresting. I know I speak for all of us when I say that you were not only an excellent tour guide, but also an extremely cool and down-to-earth dude. I really hope I can come back to Israel someday and meet up with you again. Be sure to drop us a line if you're ever in Chicago. Until then, stay safe, keep in touch, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.
All the best,"
Ajay Sampat
University of Chicago
December 24, 2008
"Joe,
Your knowledge, level of professionalism, enthusiasm, and your sense for the right thing to say made this trip. You earned the respect of everone on this trip – including me.
The group [of 25 medical school students from the Pritzker Medical School, University of Chicago] has walked away with more than facts. They will come back to Chicago with the power to think critically about the facts they hear and read in the future. Some may go searching in the wrong direction, but we know that we presented an extremely fair and honest interpretation of the history as we see it. That is something we can be proud of and continue to do. I look forward to seeing you again one day when I am back in Israel. Your passion is contagious, and your affirmation of Zionist ideologies reaffirmed my own.
I truly do hope we stay in touch. Thank you – and good luck on your PhD and future endeavors."
Aaron Cohn
Chicago, IL
November 24, 2008
"Jon was amazing. So knowledgeable and friendly. Would use him again in a second. Pls tell him I said so. ill be back...
Zach Braff
Los Angeles, CA
November 23, 2008
"Shabbat Shalom Joe
I am writing to thank you for doing such an outstanding job as our guide during our two week trip to Israel. Your broad knowledge of architecture, history (both political and religious) and local culture were instrumental in our group having a truly enriched experience. Your willingness to share your personal views and perspectives on numerous subject matters was also appreciated. To think all this time I thought people from New Jersey were shrinking violets. We all agreed that it was the most stimulating and interesting trip we’d ever taken. We also came away with a much better understanding of the geography and present day challenges facing the region. We had high expectations for the trip and you helped us exceed them. In closing let me wish you, your family and fellow citizens as peaceful an existence as possible for as long as possible."
Regards Greg Thompson
Toronto, Canada
November 10, 2008
"Hey Joe,
I'm sorry I've taken so long to email you after our trip, my work has been just insane since I got back, not a moment to breathe. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for the amazing tour. Last time I was in Israel, despite staying in the country twice as long, I'd say I got perhaps 10% of the experience that I got out of touring with you, at best. Your ability to jump through the centuries, talking about King David one minute, and then pointing out a modern battlefield and its story then jumping back again, without losing us, is impressive. My Mom and I had a really great time, and we especially enjoyed our conversations with you about modern Israel and the issues it faces. Your thoughts were really enlightening and gave me a lot to think about. If anyone I know considers going to Israel in the future I'll be badgering them to hook up with you for sure. I've traveled to more than 40 countries in the last 5 years. Some countries you can see more thoroughly and get a better experience of on your own, rather than being guided. Israel is simply not one of those countries, and your guidance made all the difference in the world.
Thanks Joe!"
Mike Johnson
North Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
November 8, 2008
"Joe
Thank you for your excellent tour. Your thoughtful presentation of the material make a world of difference to our understanding and appreciation of Israel in general, and of Qumran and Masada specifically. Our group of 8 commented repeatedly after our tour at the excellent experience. I would recommend you highly and without reservation to anyone seeking a guide in Israel. When we return, we will definately seek you out again! Thanks for everything,"
Joe Imholte
Director of Special Exhibits
Science Museum of Minnesota
November 3, 2008
"Dear Joe,
We have recently returned from our Mediterranean/Black Sea cruise. I just wanted to write and thank you for two wonderful days of sightseeing in Israel. You provided a first-rate experience for our small group. If you need a reference for your tours, please use our name. We would be glad to provide such.
Thanks again,"
Ann and Lorrin Garson
Vienna, Virginia
June 28, 2009
"Dear Joe,
As a former english minor at NYU, words have always been of interest to me. Having gone to The Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, people have always said to me, "Oh, you lived in Israel?" I would reply, "well, I went to school there." In reality, between classes and the library and labs I never really took advantage of my time in Israel. I went to school there but I never lived there.
As a native New Yorker, friends often ask my advice regarding what they should do while in Manhattan. I offer my suggestions with the caveat that every New Yorker has their own New York. The places that make the city special to each person. In essence, there are six million Manhattans.
And so it is with Israel. It has been 18 years since I went to school in Tel Aviv. It was long overdue to come back with my wife and sons. I knew that I could barely guide them when I went to school there and I certainly couldn't do it now. I went about the process of trying to hire a guide. I searched the Internet. I read all the guides. I came upon your website. Originally from New Jersey. Extensive schooling in Boston. Majoring in history. Loves to hike. This meant that you were fluent in my language. This meant that you have already lived in hostile territory (Red Sox nation). This meant you could relate the meaning and context of the place we were visiting. This meant that you were in great shape. All of these assumptions were accurate.
More importantly, you shared with us your Israel. I can't imagine what our trip would be like if it was not led by you. Time is the only commodity that can never be recouped. Our time with you was time well spent. Since we have come home, I keep thinking about our trip and smiling. I can hear you say "smell this!" or "taste this" as we pass by some tree or shrub in the desert. I hear your stories as we stand in the valley where David met Goliath. I feel the power of Masada as you recount their decision. I feel the safety and confidence of being in your presence. I know my family was in good hands .
My favorite picture is in The Old City of my family surrounded by a platoon of young soldiers that you asked to stop and take a photo with us. I realized that, for the first time, this trip under your guidance allowed me to live in Israel but these soldiers lived for Israel.
If we're lucky, soon we will too.
Thank you,"
Mark Fleisher MD
Jacksonville, Florida
USA
May 26, 2008
"Dear Joe,
You are the ultimate expert in every aspect of Israel. The high quality and proficiency of your guiding is outstanding.The extent of your knowledge of the land and its people is superb. You are a walking encyclopedia! We were amazed at how well you new every inch of the country, from its unique neighborhoods to its little back streets. You enhanced our level of understanding and appreciation of Israel in an enthusiastic, fun and energetic way."
Jay and Barbara Rosenblatt
Lafayette, California
February 4, 2008
"Dear Joe,
Thank you for a wonderful experience. Dale and I were very impressed with your in-depth knowledge of history, geography and religion, and your ability to customize our tour and accommodate our wishes. We were able to fit a whole week of touring into three days, and do so in comfort. It is a trip we will always remember."
Walter and Dale Kucharczyk
Toronto, Canada
January 31, 2008
"[Joe Yudin is] A veritable encyclopedia of Israeli religious, geopolitical, and cultural history; a bewildering treasure trove of information at your disposal. Possesses a truly astonishing depth of knowledge from the arcane to the critical. If you need a customized primer on all that is Israel, this is the guide for you."
Steve Neff
Dallas, TX
January 6, 2008
"Joe -
Once again, Thank you so much for making our experience in Israel extraordinary! It was so wonderful to share with our family and friends the wonders that Israel holds. Your energy and wealth of knowledge made all of what we'd planned come to life. We are already talking about our next trip ... I personally can not wait to explore the desert!
Thank you for the book list though it may take a lifetime to get through it!
I too hope we will stay in touch - you will be the first person I call when we schedule our next trip to Israel
Best to you and your family"
-Stefanie, Peter, Jake and Max Herman
Westborough, MA
January 2, 2008
"Joe -
Thank you for all you did for us. You made this trip the best trip we have ever taken as a family. We are only sorry that it has taken us so long to come to Israel. We hope to stay in touch with you and plan our next trip soon.
All the best to you and your family."
Todd, Stacy, Mel & Juliet Phillips
Manhattan (Upper West Side), NY
December 23, 2007
"Hi Joe --
I wanted to take a moment to report back to you on our experience in Israel and to thank you for all of your efforts and expertise in putting together our itinerary.
The trip was excellent and exceeded my high expectations in every way. The highlight, of course, was Naftali. He is a superb professional and made our time in Israel productive, informative and enjoyable. His knowledge of geography, history, archaeology, culture, art, religion, politics, etc. is truly encyclopedic. Because of his skills, we covered an enormous amount of ground in our ten days. As you know, that was one of our objectives given the time limitations imposed by our schedule. Our visits were very efficient without ever feeling rushed. Drawing on Naftali's personal experience and contacts, we ate at several wonderful restaurants that we never would have found (or tried) on our own. I've traveled in many places and have hired many guides. I can say without reservation that Naftali is the best.
I should also tell you that the arrangements you and Alex made for the day trip to Jordan worked out very well. It was a long day but very worthwhile. The guide, Salam...was excellent and Petra is an extraordinary place.
I suspect that prospective clients occasionally ask for references from your previous clients. I'd be delighted to provide a reference and in that regard you should certainly feel free to give prospective travelers my contact info. I have already provided your name and contact info to a couple of people here in Denver and I will continue to do so. I'm also copying Donna Evans, my travel agent here in Denver
Again, many thanks to you and Naftali for making our trip such a success. My dad and I are both looking forward to another trip to Israel."
Ron Cooper
Engelwood, CA
November 23, 2007
"Joe:
Thank you very much for giving us the tour of Jerusalem, Masada et al. Griff and I learned so much about Israel and its history.
Griff's favorite part was Masada and the 965 Jews keeping 10,000 Romans at bay for 3 1/2 years before taking thein lives rather than becoming slaves. For some reason, the theme of resistance really strikes a chord for him. His view of Israel (and the Middle East) will always be through your perspective and narration of its history!
My favorite was touring the four quarters of the Old City. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have visited Jerusalem -- I've been reading and hearing about it for decades.
I've never been on a better tour in my life -- you obviously have a gift. You did an absolutely fantastic job.
Thanks again,"
Tim and Griff Bryant
Chicago, IL
November 12, 2007
"Joe -
Thank you for guiding our recent trip to Jerusalem, Masada, and throughout the Galilee. The way you wove history, archeology, and Biblical traditions together put everything into context for me and helped me better understand the region, both past and present. I can't imagine trying to tour the area without your help, especially in a group that included seniors. The way you accommodated their needs and still made sure we didn't miss anything was a testament to your both your skill and character.
We're glad to recommend you to everyone who asks about our trip. I tell them you're a bargain at twice the price...
Best regards,"
Steve and Brenda Butt
Doha, Qatar
November 9, 2007
"Hi Joe,
I know I don't have to tell you what Israel, and of course you, meant to me. If I were only younger.
Anyway, Israel was beyond my dreams and you were patient and kind to us older folks. I keep picturing the leader and the three ducks following behind.
Will be sending you some of the pictures as soon as they are all developed.
Hoping to hear from you - just a quick hello.
Stay safe"
Love,
Anita Somer
New York, NY
"Hi Joe,
What a wonderful vacation we had. Words cannot describe how much we appreciated your wonderful leadership and planning to make our trip to Israel so enjoying and exciting. Our only regret is that we cannot remember all the facts you told us. One thing we will never forget is your passion for Israel. You have given us a lot of that passion, more than you might think. The other part of our trip is that we had lots of fun, and can truly say we had a lot of good experiences.You have found a wonderful life in a wonderful country, thank you for sharing it with us. Regards to your family, we would love a picture of all of you. Stu will send you a disk of our pictures, but it may take a while. "
Love, Anita & Stu Feldman
New York, NY
October 2007
"Joe,
Just want to thank you for a wonderful trip. Vicki and I had the most spiritual, learning and beautiful trip of our lives. You and John did the best job. I hope your family is doing well. We are joining the Friends of the IDF here in Miami. I now understand the situation you live with each day better than ever. If you are ever coming to Miami please get in touch with us and I will take you on a tour from morning to night.
Best of Luck to you and all of Israel."
Jerry Geist
Miami, FL
October 2007
"Joe Yudin made the hills---in fact the very country---come alive for us in new ways despite the fact that we had previously traveled and toured through Israel. His in-depth knowledge of the Middle East added great depth to his interpretation of everything from the Canaanites’ to the politics of today. His reading list, which followed our visit, will keep us busy until the next trip. Best of all, Joe is a delight to be with."
Brenda Babitz
Rochester, New York
September 2007
"Dear Joe,
How does one describe a trip to the Holy Land? It is overwhelming to try to explain your experience to someone who has not visited. You try and then you just tell them “You need to come”.
A trip to Israel is a once in a lifetime experience. It is a vacation and it is a pilgrimage. How should you see it? Who should you see it with? I am going to strongly suggest that seeing it with a private guide is the way to do it. Face it, the overall cost of such a trip is substantial and is made up of many facets. There are places you can cut corners but there are places you should not. The ability of your guide to impart the information about the site, the setting, the culture and the history is imperative. I strongly suggest you use only the best here. We were fortunate that God lead us to Joe Yudin and his team. We were spellbound as our guide brought our Biblical teaching to life. We gained new insights about the life and land of Israel.
We wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to the people who made it special. There is no way our trip would have been anywhere near the same without your expert guidance. You helped us adjust our itinerary A LOT from day to day. You always made us feel special and you pampered us. Seeing these incredible sites with you was like seeing it with an extended part of our family.
Again, THANK YOU. As a family we voted UNANIMOUSLY that this was the best and most meaningful vacation we have ever taken. My wife and I believe this is the best gift we have ever given our sons. We wanted to let you know how pleased we are with our vacation and with your services.
Warm Regards,"
Mike, Sallie Kay, Aubrey and Shawn Stodghill
Sacramento, California
"Dear Joe,
We wanted to thank you for a memorable tour that went beyond our expectations. Being the first visit to Israel for Sandy and me, we realized that having a guide to show us the sites was necessary. What we did not anticipate was the history and Sunday school teacher that came with the guide. Your incredible knowledge and teaching abilities made the experience of visiting the home of our ancesters come alive. This was the fourth guided visit to Israel for my mother. She, along with our son and his girlfriend (who both live in Israel) saw new sites and learned the history like never before of places that they had previously visited.
As we thought about our time with you in Jerusalem, the Judean Desert and Tel Aviv we couldn't believe all that we saw and learned in just a few days.
Sandy and I have already begun talking about where we want you to take us on our next visit.
Best regards to you and your family."
Chuck Traugott
Sylvania, Ohio
"We are a family of four with children ages 12 and 9. We had high expectations for our trip to Isreal which were exceeded thanks largely to our guide, Joe Yudin. Joe was instrumental in the planning process. He listened to our views and needs, and then he tailored the itinerary perfectly! No detail was missed- transportation, hotel arrangements, dining recommendations, site visits and a tailor made schedule. He balanced all of our requests and made certain that each day was well organized and varied.
Joe was equally invaluable during our stay in Israel. He is incredibly knowledgeable having studied guiding at the University of Haifa and it really shows. Not only did he share all of the exciting history of each site, but he was also full of stories and anecdotes that engaged the children. We had lively discussions and each day was a wonderful adventure during which Joe shared his passion for history and for Israel itself. In short, he brought each site to life! Finally, Joe was a great and measured guide. He was timely, flexible, helpful and considerate. His touring vehicle was comfortable and was an efficient way to travel. We strongly recommend Joe Yudin as a guide and as a friend."
Mimi Risner
New York (Upper East Side), NY
"Joe - we had another great day and tour with Jonathan! We really appreciate your entire company's professionalism, responsiveness and knowledge. It completely made our brief trip to Israel a very memorable one! Please extend our appreciation to both Ari and Jonathan for their time and their willingness to meet our specific needs. They were tremendous!
Best Regards,"
Leanne
Shelton Group Leanne K. Sievers / Executive Vice President
"A personal guide is essential in order to fully begin to realize the past and present complexities of a country like Israel. Joe Yudin and the TouringIsrael.Com staff seem to have an encyclopedic knowledge of both the religious and secular history of the country. While not inexpensive, I would describe my two guided tours as an excellent value that elevated my trip from good to the truly wonderful. My guide found out my areas of interest and tailored that days tour to me. I unreservedly recommend Joe and his staff to anyone fortunate enough to visit Israel (and they take good pictures too!!!)."
John White
Washington DC
"Dear Joe:
I wanted to take a moment and thank you for enhancing my recent trip to Israel through the two days of touring you provided. I found your knowledge of the areas that we visited to be excellent and you demonstrated such a high level of enthusiasm that it was without a doubt the best tour experience that I have had in my 10 trips to Israel. Your personal approach made the experience very relaxing and I appreciated your flexibility and willingness to go off agenda whenever the opportunity arose. It was clear that your goal was to ensure that I had a wonderful experience – which I did. Thank you for everything and I will surely be contacting you for more guided tours when I return to Israel in the future. Very truly yours,"
Todd D. Bennett
Herkimer, New York
"Joe, Hi,
It was a great trip for us largely because of the energy, passion, knowledge and professionalism you brought . We thank you. Your observation, early on, that this would be "more than a vacation" was right on. While it was a great vacation, you made it a true journey for our family. A concept has become a reality for us.
We will absolutely keep in touch.
all the best"
Neil R. Mann
Chicago, Illinois
"Hi Joe,
I hope all is well with you and your family. We are all fine here and getting ready to finish the school year. I had to write and tell you that about something I just finished reading. The SATs have added essays to the test, and after the SATs are scored, you can go online and read the essay. I just finished reading Daniel's essay, and was surprised (and excited) to see that he devoted part of his essay to (pardon my spelling) Avigador Kahalani [commander of a tank brigade on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War]. He talked about him in terms of decisive action. He devoted another part of the essay to Eli Cohen [Mossad agent who infiltrated the Syrian Defense Department in the 1960's], again as an example of decisive action, even mentioning that he has a street named after him in Israel. Thankfully the essay was well received, and Daniel did extremely well. I'm so excited to share this with you. Daniel never told me what he wrote about, but obviously your stories had an impact that lasted with him. I hope they always will. Thank you once again for getting into my kids heads. I hope you have a great summer."
Karen Honig
Manalapan, NJ
"We just got back from a 10 day trip to Israel and are we happy we chose Joe Yudin as our tour guide. We are a family of three that includes one 16 year old boy who loves war sites. And, boy did we see war sites! Joe really knows how to get off the beaten path to show you very special things. Although we had a complete itinerary, once we were there we realized how much we wanted to see. Each evening we would go over the next days plans and add, subtract and adjust to fit it all in. We were astounded by his knowledge of history, architecture, botany and of course religion. Everywhere we went he explained what we were seeing not just from the typical tour guide perspective, but from the perspective of someone who lives in and cares deeply about his country. Bravo!"
With deep thanks,
Lynn, Cliff and Max
Chappaqua, New York
"We would like to thank Joe Yudin for helping us arrange and then guide us during our recent holiday to Israel. Joe worked extensively with us prior to our holiday to develop an itinerary that met our desires plus making suggestions of locations that ultimately enhanced our holiday and made it enjoyable for our entire family. Each day with Joe was a fascinating experience in learning about Israel, both ancient and modern. Joe made our visit to Israel one of the most enjoyable holiday experiences we have had. He was able to relate to all the members of our family that included children ages 5 to 14 and grandparents. Joe’s knowledge of the country is unsurpassed. Each day Joe not only took us to the places we planned to visit but added new locations that further enhanced our holiday. Aside from being our guide, Joe helped meet our every need and became a great friend. We have visited many places in the world and Joe helped put Israel on our map as a place we want to return to and experience again."
James and Kerri-Ann Prince and Family
Doha, Qatar
"Eight Aussies decided to journey across the world to the land of Israel. There was an 83 year old Grandma, a princess and her daughter, a business man with all his gadgets, two 18 year old boys who wanted to party and a couple who wanted to traipse over every historical and biblical sight that Israel had to offer.
Before making this trip we wondered how any tour guide would manage to keep this group interested and in line let alone still talking at the end. Well only Joe could achieve what he did.
Joe made every moment memorable, he keep us all interested and entertained with his incredible knowledge of all aspects of the land. He knew where to shop, eat, and buy computer cables as well as telling us stories from history. He was exciting to be with and the land of Israel and its history came alive making us all wish for more. We learnt about politics geography and military history.
All of us could not have asked for a better guide. Every aspect of our trip was handled in the most professional manner. We were all sad to say goodbye.
We all would highly recommend Joe and for the eight of us to all be in agreement that is certainly saying something."
Sharon Bloom
Australia
"Elaine and I have given a lot of thought as to how to express our feelings and gratitude to you for the time we spent together. I think the best way is to let you know that when we come back, our trip will have to include you.
Joe, you made the country come alive for us. You were one hundred percent attentive to any special needs or concerns we had regarding our schedule, our comfort, or our safety. Our daily schedule was complete and busy, but never too busy for a story or a special stop that you thought we would find interesting. We traveled together with you for seven days. In that time we saw sights we marveled at, heard stories we will remember, and were moved to tears when necessary.
Every day with you was an education in the history of Israel, as well as just history itself. You have a special gift of making people "feel" this land. We were told when we get off the plane we would be home. That is an understatement. Each day Elaine and I toured with you, no matter if it was uplifting in the Golan Heights, or upsetting in Yad Vashem, we felt we were part of this land
I hope you will put this in your web site and add it to your list of refernces. If there is anything we can do for you in the future, please let us know. Also, please keep in touch so we can again "feel at home" when we decide to visit again."
Elaine & Michael Shapow
Marietta, GA. USA
"Our seven day tour of the “Holy Land” made the Old and New Testament “come alive” for C J and me. Your balance of Jewish and Christian sights, combined with explanation of history and religion of the times reinforced our Christian beliefs and belief in God. The connection of all to each other and to today make Israel the most significant visit of our life. Our walk on the Via Dolorosa, visit to the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection are one of the most moving experience of our lives.
Thank you and God Bless your family."
C J and Bob Fogarty
Bellevue, WA
"We were three couples that decided it was time to visit Israel. For two of us it would be a first time visit, while the third couple their fourth. We chose a private tour as you would get so much more out of it and as we were fairly active people we would be able to set an itinerary to better suit our needs. Upon contacting Joe, he told us he charges a bit more than other guides, but he said he was worth it. We never anticipated how much of an understatement that was!
With Joe's background in Middle Eastern studies, from Boston University coupled with Haifa University, he is quite expert in history and this land from the days of Abraham to present times. There is not a question he could not field. He came to Israel in 1990, became a paratrooper and understands totally the plight of the country and its people, and because of his knowledge and love of his country, he relays these stories with a passion and pride that is absolutely infectious. I believe being American born helped this commuication to us. He is as comfortable talking biblical history as he is the National Football League. I do believe that whatever religious faith you follow, you will come away with a very proud feeling of your roots.
Joe sets the ininerary of the tour in a somewhat chronological order, so there is a natural flow from the earliest biblical times of Before the Common Era, through the Common Era, the Crusades, the Holocaust, Israel Independence and right through the current elections. But the tour is not all about history. To learn about and enjoy Israel, we hiked its mountains, visited a Bedouin camp and rode their camels, went on a real archeological dig, and explored the underground tunnels of Jerusalem. Joe of course will tailor an itinerary to your activity levels.
On our last evening over dinner we all gave our thoughts of what we got out of this trip. We understood and related to the history from a much deeper aspect, we better understood the psyche of the Israeli people and what Israel itself was all about. All of us were just very, very proud. It was indeed a wonderful and fulfilling experience. Joe made the trip what it was. Being with him was like being with family."
Al and Harriet Rosenberg
Mahopac, New York
"Hi Joe,
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Old City of Jerusalem and its surroundings with you. It was an intensive yet very rewarding day. Your knowledge of the history, the different schools of thought about the archeological findings and your up to date knowledge of recent discoveries made it a fascinating day, even for somebody like me who visited the old city a few times before. It was great to see places that were discovered just recently, and even ones that are still being dug. Another aspect that we felt was really fun, was going with you into houses and buildings that are truly hidden and unknown to tourists, and being able to see the city from these unusual angles. Your help in designing every aspect of our trip (even the parts we did on our own), your flexibility to accommodate our preferences and interests, your recommendations of restaurants in other parts of Israel, have all proven to be very valuable and made our trip a most enjoyable one. Fred, who is visiting for the first time felt that it was a wonderful experience, and was delighted with the day we spent with you. It is especially noteworthy since he typically prefers going places on his own to having guided tours …
We are sure to contact you again in the future when we plan to come back and see other parts of the Israel.
Thanks again,"
Anat Gafni & Fred van den Bosch
Los Angeles, CA USA
"We booked Joe at the last moment for a "birthday celebration" car-convoy tour for a bunch of 40-somethings and their kids. The group comprised a mix of Anglos living in Israel, Israeli spouses, a few tourists, and the occasional diplomat! The kids ranged in age from 16 down to 4, with the average about 9. An eclectic bunch, to say the least. And yet Joe managed to figure out a tour that satisfied everybody. The kids had a great time and learned about the tour region's nature, history and culture. The parents also learned a great deal (while pretending we knew the answer's to Joe's questions). We saw beautiful vistas, did a little hiking, lots of eating and generally had a great time. The pace was perfect. Joe did a phenomenal job and we intend on enlisting his services again in the future."
Colin Picker
Visiting Fellow, Hebrew University Law Faculty
Associate Professor, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law.
"We asked Joe to take us on an "Exodus" tour last November to see areas mentioned in the Leon Uris book, as well as other sites of interest from biblical times to War of Independence times. He picked us up promptly in Jerusalem and drove us expertly through blinding rain all the way northeast to Akko, where we began our tour with the infamous prison. He provided informative running commentary on the areas we passed through, and altered our original schedule easily when the weather proved uncooperative. We learned a lot on our tour and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to any American family, especially ones with teenagers. My 15-year-old daughter is still working her way through the reading list he sent us after we came home."
Abigail Leichman
Teaneck, NJ
"We had a fantastic time touring Masada with Joe. There were several unique things that made this THE highlight of our trip to Israel. First, we had only one day to do this trip and Joe collected information about the rest of our trip-what we had seen already and planned to see in the next few days- and he was able to put together an itinerary that allowed us to get stunning views of Jerusalem, let us get a cappuccino at a beautiful uncrowded desert oasis (critical for the early morning start to Masada!!), and found a place to buy our daughter a bathing suit for our later trip to the Dead Sea. We did all this on the way to Masada, without losing any time at all.
Hiking up Masada was even better!! Joe walked up with us (forsaking his free guide-ride up the tram!). Fortunately for us he brought extra hats. At the top, we were able to bypass the crowds at any one area and hear about all the important features of the fortress, palace, synagogue, water supply etc. etc. in any order we chose. Joe was an encyclopedia of knowledge and led us through whatever we were interested in. I am quite certain that we learned 2 or 3 times as much as people on any group tour!!! Besides which we never had to wait or crowd.
Finally, after Masada, we went to lunch at a local kibbutz on the Dead Sea with excellent food. We were able to take advantage of their locker rooms, showers, and towels to take a float in the Dead Sea!! After all this Joe was able to get us back to our hotel in plenty of time for our planned evening activity. Unfortunately, I left my purse in Joe's car, and did not discover it until the next day. Joe went out of his way to deliver it to our hotel before we left Israel!!
In summary, I give Joe my highest recommendation. He was a lot of fun to be with, we learned a ton, and he seemed to intuitively know what we would most like to do!!"
Mimi and Larry Platt
Racine, Wisconsin
"My girlfriend and I had been on a group tour of Israel and extended our stay. Joe had been our tour guide extraordinaire and we enlisted him, privately, for this additional day. It was my first time in Israel and my friend’s third visit. We both thought that Joe was exceptionally knowledgeable, gave his opinions on history and helped us decide where to spend our extra time. Was it worth every moment and every penny? Absolutely! We will always find Joe when we visit Israel. He is spectacular in showing “our” beautiful country and history to young and old alike. And sense of humor..of course, and we couldn’t have asked for more! Your tour guide is what “makes” the experience a lifetime memory for you. Don’t hesitate in engaging Joe."
Roberta Marowitz
Casselberry, FL
"We were referred to Joe by friends. Toured Israel with him for 5 days of our 10 day trip.
Joe is a delight. With a background in history, an international life’s worth of experiences and perspective, and an easygoing engaging personality, Joe is “tailor made” to be a guide in Israel.
We were traveling independently, and have a lot of experience and background in Israel, but our three kids (Ages 16, 14, 9) had NOT been to Israel. Joe was able to accommodate our personal requests, changing schedule and capacity, and we experienced everything from Archeological ruins and historic places (Castel, Massada, Safed, Jerusalem) to modern museums, cities and the wilderness (Palmach Museum, Tel Aviv, Ein Gedi, etc.)! Joe’s knowledge of the history and culture, and first-hand experience in Israeli society, politics and heritage made him adept at answering questions from all the different ages and knowledge bases our family brought. He not only had the capacity and depth to be able to shorten or extend a tour, or discussion, or history story, he also had the common-sense and flexibility to adjust plans and times according to young and old needs and fatigue. We were comfortable with him very quickly, and after only a few days with him really felt we had made a new friend. Indeed we have stayed in touch with him since."
Perry and Merrill Hendin
Portland, OR
"The choice was a coach tour or a personal guided tour - the personal guide is more expensive, but ten times the value, particularly for a family wanting a great day out in Israel.
We were picked up at our hotel in Netanya, in a very comfortable 7 seater, and immediately Joe pointed out items of interest as we drove to the Negev for a tour around the Ramon crater.
Alternatively, we could have toured anywhere in Israel, the tour being dependent upon the numbers and age of the party - the point being the tour was flexible to meet our own requirements. What we did remained optional, even detouring on the way home to buy my daughter some Bedouin trousers!
Joe was a very knowledgeable guide, and we are already planning another tour when we next visit Israel."
Haydn Hughes
Middlesex, England
"Words are inadequate to express how I feel at this moment about my first trip to Israel. Before the trip, I knew intellectually (and intuitively) that it would be a "homecoming". During the plane ride to Tel Aviv, I made the following journal entry: "I am about to land in Israel -- first time-- a new beginning -- looking forward to the future and content with the present." Those words express nothing short of a radical change in my spirit -- especially in view of the dark, difficult passages I have experienced recently.
The enthusiasm (esprit) and knowledge you shared with us about our homeland -- from the Negev to the Jezreel Valley to the Golan Heights -- brought life to what I had sensed intuitively. Although I know that this is your "business", it is also clear that your commitment to Eretz Israel "calls" you to this work of guiding tours. Please accept my heartfelt thanks as I respond to this new beginning and see where it takes me. One thing is for sure -- I will return to the home where my spirit finds sustenance, Eretz Israel.
Shalom y'all."
Annabelle Clinton-Imber
Little Rock, Arkansas
"Joe --
I want to thank you so much for making our trip to Israel so special. Your knowledge, humor, energy and flexibility made our visit one that we will always remember. We are not an easy family to please. My wife and I have visited Israel numerous times; meanwhile, this was the first visit for our children (one 16, the other 13). You kept us all engaged as we traversed the country and the ages. You are a fantastic guide and I only hope that you will be available the next time we visit Israel. Please use us as references.
Thanks So Much,"
David Eppsteiner
Marietta, GA
"Joe,
I'd just like to thank you for making my first visit to Israel the most amazing experience I have ever had. You truly made the trip unforgettable and I 100% have YOU to thank for that! Take care,"
Simone Rom
Toronto, Canada
