NAFTALI COHEN was born in Petach Tikva to one of the founders' families. He is 10th generation in the Holy Land. Naftali joined the Israeli Army in 1970 as a paratrooper and after a year and a half started guiding Studies of Israel to elite units, focusing on the footsteps of the Patriarchs, Prophets and Warriors throughout history. During 1972 - 1973 he studied to become a Tour Guide. He spent 5 years in the United States, where he attended a special study program in alternative medicine and specialized in reflexology. Since 1980 Naftali has been working as a fulltime tour guide, guiding both families and groups. He specializes in Israel's history, archeology, and the Bible. He is married and has three children.
BARUCH FRANK was born in Minneapolis MN, and made Aliyah to kibbutz Ein Harod with his parents when he was eight years old. Prior to completing his BSc. in Mechanical Engineering he traveled to South America for a year to experience the culture. For the past 5 years (after retiring from 19 years in the IDF at the rank of Lt.Col.), and completing his studies to become a licensed tour guide he has been guiding all over Israel. He specializes in nature treks, mountain bicycling & off road tours for both Jewish & non Jewish tourists. Baruch guides in English and Hebrew. His clients include: AIS in Kfar Shmaryahu, the March of Living, IDF units and more. Baruch owns and guides with his Chrysler Grand Voyager minivan.
ZEEV GAL-ON was born and raised in Israel. He is a former kibbutznik (he was a kibbutz member for 26 years), who feels very connected to nature throughout the land of Israel. Zeev studied history and geology at the university and then took the Tour Guide course. He has been a licensed tour guide since the year 2000 and specializes in guiding family groups, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tours, pilgrimages and more. Zeev is well informed in the country’s history and its legacy. When touring with Zeev you will enjoy his new luxurious 16-seater minibus with ample room for luggage. It is equipped with a DVD system a large 40 liter fridge and of course air conditioning.
JUDY STACEY GOLDMAN was born in Montreal and has lived in Israel, where she is a professional tour guide and travel writer, for 30 years. She has coauthored three books on culinary and off-the-beaten-track subjects in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Judy contributes several sections of Fodor's Guide to Israel. Her guiding expertise covers the country as well as specialized walking tours in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where she lives.
SHLOMIT GROSS is a native Tel Avivian. She completed her studies in Geography and Land of Israel Studies at the University of Haifa and then went on to become a licensed tour guide. She guides in English, German and Hebrew and specializes in Israel's UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Acco, Tel Aviv's Bauhaus architecture and Massada).
CHANTAL KHAZAN was born in France to a traditional Jewish family. She lived in France until she finished her B. A. in English literature and American civilization. Chantal spent one year in London where part of her family lives. She moved to Israel in 1969 and studied at Tel Aviv University where she finished a Master in English and Education. She became a certified teacher and taught English in high school for 8 years. Chantal got married in Israel and decided to take the (guiding) course in order to learn about the country and eventually to become a tour guide. She has been guiding large groups as well as small parties since 1980, both in English and French.
MENASHE KHAZAN is Israeli -born. He studied political science in Paris and was part of the ministry of foreign affairs. Since finishing the guide's course he has been guiding political groups, U.J.A groups, family and Bar-Mitzvah tours since 1972.He has been guiding big groups as well as small parties both in English and French.
JOE NAKKAR was born in Baghdad. At the age of 16 he left to the UK. He received his BSc in agricultural engineering from Newcastle University. For nine years Joe was involved in owning and running a leisure complex in Warwickshire in the English countryside, prior to immigrating to Israel in 1996. In Israel, in addition to being a licensed tour guide, he was involved with a local landscape design company followed by 3 years as a course coordinator with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture which included guiding the international mission groups in English, French and Arabic. Joe has an 8 seat all terrain vehicle and specializes in off road and private tours. He lives in Katzir with his French wife and two children.
TAL SEGAL, a 6th generation Sabra, has over 20 years of field experience as a licensed tour guide. He specializes in leading small groups on specialty tours, in his own van, to all parts of the country. Tal has walked the length and breadth of the country, including the famous Israel Trail. He has extensive experience guiding the young and the old, the Jew and the Christian. Tal lives out side of Tel Aviv with his wife and three children.
JACOB SHARON grew up in Jerusalem, where he now lives with his family. He is married with 2 children, a boy and a girl. After his army service, he studied at the Hebrew University where he graduated in Hebrew literature and Jewish philosophy. He also took extra courses in archaeology and geology. In 1980 Jacob completed a 2 year tour guide course by the Ministry of Tourism. He has been a tourist guide since then. At first he conducted desert tours in the Sinai desert with 4 wheel drive vehicles. Since then he worked as a tour guide with families, and various groups both Jewish and pilgrims. He has also worked with special guests of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Army. Jacob’s main hobbies are photography and bird watching, and it adds to the value of the tours that he guides. He has a lot of patience for people and loves to answer every question.
YOSSI WEISS was born in Czechoslovakia and raised in Israel. He served as a Major in the Israeli army, studied at Ben-Gurion College and Bar-Ilan University's The Land of Israel Department. After completing his studies at the school of tourism he became a licensed tour guide. Since he graduated Yossi continues to broaden and deepen his knowledge, he constantly takes classes in Archaeology and History, especially of Israel and the Middle East. Over the last 25 years, Yossi has conducted some 700 tours from large groups to intimate ones.
He guides city tours and hikes in Israel, and in addition takes groups of Israelis to selected destinations worldwide among them Spain, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary and Jordan. Yossi speaks Hebrew, English and Hungarian, and is a requested guide and lecturer abroad, about several topics related to Israel's past and present. He lives outside Tel-Aviv with his wife and their cat (their 3 grownup children have already left home).
ZAMIR YITZCHAKI was born in Iraq and made Ailyah at the age of two. A licensed tour guide, he has been guiding since 1972. Zamir has studied History, Geography and Land of Israel studies. He specializes in tours focusing on history, geography, nature and archaeology throughout Israel. In addition he has extensive knowledge about Ancient Synagogues, Military History, and minorities including; Circassians, Bedouins and Druze. He served in a fighting unit and participated in the Six Day War, Yom Kippur War and the War in Lebanon. He lives in a communal settlement in Israel's north, near the Kinneret. Zamir has a very comfortable Toyota Land Cruiser SUV. He speaks Hebrew, Arabic and English.
DAFNA ZURIEL has a BA in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Haifa and a Masters from NYU in Computer Science. Her experience also includes teaching math and physics. She completed the Tour Guides course 13 years ago. In the past she served as Correlator between Chase Manhattan Bank, Israel Bonds and the Government of Israel. She also served as Vice President of PTR, which supplies materials to the Israel Railway. Dafna recently completed a special course for which she received certification for guiding Christian Pilgrims. She lives in Haifa with her three boys.
