Between Purpose and Heritage

Wouldn’t you love to find that one thing you truly enjoy doing in your life? That thing you feel you’re good at, and that everyone around you feels the same way about? That thing that gives you purpose and meaning in life, and also provides a way to make a good living at the same time?

That’s exactly how I felt when I started my journey in the touring business. At first, I guided visitors in Israel, and later, I began creating the full experience of visiting such a special, one-of-a-kind place like Israel.

What makes this place so unique, as I claim?

Well, where else can you find a place that has 4,000 years of history, has been conquered by nearly every significant empire in the region, has snowy peaks, volcanoes, seas, lakes, and deserts all within less than five hours’ drive from one end to another, offers a multicultural experience with ethnicities from more than 80 different countries (and a mix of all the great food they brought with them), a concentration of the most religious sites in the world for many different religions, numerous battlefields (old and new, unfortunately), and people who are considered some of the happiest in the world?

On top of all that, many visitors who arrive here are looking for something extra. They are looking to make a connection—for themselves or for future generations. Whether it is for religious reasons, tradition, or heritage, coming to Israel does not usually fit the title of just another vacation—it’s much more. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to master: to create and be part of that memorable experience, that connection!

So far, it all sounds great, right? But what must a person do when they are in the business of creating life-changing experiences in a complex region during complicated times? What does a person who feels they have a “gift” to share do when COVID happens, then a war starts, and there are no tourists around? What do you do when you feel this is your calling, but God, life, “the universe,” or however you want to call it, is piling challenges in front of you while you still have mouths to feed?

Well, you find a way to push through. You find a way to go beyond the struggle and to come out stronger on the other side. You find a way to sustain your family in the meantime, because now, more than ever, people need to come to Israel, need to see for themselves that what they hear in the media is not always true. I feel that Israel and Beyond is needed now more than ever to help as many people as possible go through this experience. As in my life, and I am sure in some of yours as well, Israel and Israelis seek peace but often have to fight to find it.

So if you have ever thought of visiting Israel, or know someone who is considering it, now is a great time to do so. Send them over to us for a promised, life-changing experience.