When most people visit Caesarea, the beautiful Israeli coastal city between Netanya and Haifa, they focus on its history and archaeology in the Herodian (early Roman) and Byzantine periods. While most visitors walk right through the heart of the Crusader era city, they barely pay any attention to it. But the truth is that Caesarea Read More
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Israel Mystery Photo #6
So, what did I learn from last week’s Israel Mystery Photo? I learned that they are much more challenging for my classmates when we did not visit the location as part of our course. I only got two responses last week (both correct): one directly emailed to me and one from Aaron in the comments, Read More
Israel Mystery Photo #5
Well, I suppose last week’s photo was more challenging. Only people from my class who were there with me recognized where the photo was taken. But that’s not all that surprising, considering that it is not a popular spot on the typical tourist trail. As those who got it correct guessed, the photo was taken Read More
Israel Mystery Photo #4
Okay, so last week’s Israel Mystery Photo was a bit more challenging, even for all of my classmates at Machon Lander. But even everyone who was incorrect made logical guesses, which makes this fun! Also, hiding the comments until now made it more fun as well, since nobody could see the other responses. So I Read More
Israel Mystery Photo #3
Okay, so first a little update on this ongoing series… I realized that with the comments visible it made it a bit less challenging after people answered before you. So I have changed things and will now hold the comments you leave, and then the following week I will publish them all when I release Read More
Israel Mystery Photo #2
Here it is… the next installment of my Israel Mystery Photos! Have you seen this spot? Do you know where it is? Can you take an educated guess? Leave your response in the comments below. I will be keeping track of correct answers, and maybe give a prize for cumulative “points” at some point later. Read More
Israel Mystery Photo #1
I have decided to inaugurate a new feature on the blog, that will hopefully become a regular (perhaps weekly) one. Over the past couple of years in my tour guide course (and from before as well, obviously), I have taken lots of pictures all over this awesome country. So I thought it would be fun Read More
Environmental Tour of the Negev
I took a friend down to the Negev desert last week for a tour focused on various environmental topics. We visited sites and discussed issues of CleanTech/Green energy, water usage, desert agriculture, ecology, etc. In addition to being interesting for me, I see it as another niche in which I may work in the future Read More
Fun Joel on the Radio
Internet radio, that is! A very brief post to let you know that my old friend from Los Angeles, Liami Lawrence, hosts a popular internet radio show on Radio Kol America (kol is Hebrew for “voice”). In a few hours, he will be interviewing me on his show, discussing my aliya process, and my new Read More
International Tourism Conference – Jerusalem – Part 1
This week I am attending the first International Tourism Conference being held in Jerusalem’s Binyanei HaUmah Convention Center. Focusing both on the changing opportunities and challenges in the global tourism industry, as well as on the unique attractions of Israel (and Jerusalem in particular) as a tourist destination, the conference has drawn hundreds of participants Read More