Our guide, Itay Ya'ari, was absolutely wonderful. He was flexible, easy-going, learned and upbeat. Most important for me was that Itay understood how a visit to Israel is really an educational opportunity. Time and again he helped us reflect how the places we were visiting had something to "say" to us about our life as modern Jews. I would not only recommend Itay highly to others, but hope I might have the pleasure of having him as a guide personally in the future.
Rabbi Irwin A. Zeplowitz
The Community Synagogue
Port Washington, NY


Itay has a keen and nuanced grasp of Israel's past. His ability to make this knowledge engaging and relevant to issues of today greatly enriched our trip and made it a fascinating and thought provoking learning experience for our students. Throw in his great sense of humor and his tremendous patience and you've got a perfect guide for your Israel experience.
Alexis H. Frankel
Hillel Program Director
University of Michigan


Two plus weeks after our return, our tour group has gotten together a couple of times to share stories and photos of our trip to Israel. Itay Ya'ari's name is always mentioned in the most glowing of terms. I was asked by our group to let you know of the great sense of esteem and appreciation we feel towards him, and provide a reference for Itay.
We had a fantastic tour of Israel! Our group of 32 congregants, half of whom had been to Israel previously, fell in love with our guide - Itay Ya'ari. Itay is not only extraordinarily knowledgeable in the culture, history, sociology and archeology of Israel, also was able to provide a phenomenal sense of the Israeli people with whom we met - Bedouins, Druze, Palestinians, Kibbutzniks, Chalutzim, religious, secular, political and more. Itay was warm and engaging, making contact with our entire group - from our pre-teens and teens, to the boomer generation and our seniors. Rather than always lecturing us, he went out of his way to bring history alive by using his own props and scripts and getting us involved in the presentation. He worked in concert with our rabbi to customize our tour by being flexible and concerned about our needs. We felt well taken care of in every aspect.
Sandy Voit
Executive Director
Temple Beth Am
Seattle


Itay Yaari is one of the most amazing tour guides I have ever met. He is not just a tour guide, but he treats you as a friend, as if he has known you for many years. He shows his love for Israel through his method of guiding. He knows and teaches -- with full detail -- the history of Israel, current events, and the future hopes of Israel. He knows his facts and figures in all aspects of his tours.
I have traveled with other tour guides in Israel in the past, but Itay made me look at Israel with a whole different perspective. After touring with him, I felt closer to Israel -- to the land and to my people. I have learned so much from the information and explanations that he gave us, and I was, and still am interested in what he has to say.
The trip was not only educational, but Itay made it fun! He definitely has the passion and spark to teach and guide. I HIGHLY recommend anyone who wants to go on a trip to Israel to definitely travel with Itay!

Thank you, Itay! As I have said before, you are the best!
Malka Aulov
New York


I want to tell you how much Sylvia and I enjoyed having you as our tour guide. We loved your stories and the information you imparted to us. Most of all we loved your compassion in relating the history of Israel to us. It was very obvious that you love Israel and sharing the information with Jewish people with whom you have a connection. Thank you again for your love and compassion.
Barry Scher
Denver


I just wanted to thank you again for a wonderful trip and for the way you took Dan under your wing and had him explore places and see things he would not have had the chance to do with someone else as our tour leader. You did a great job and handled our group very well.
Paul Kapler
San Francisco


Thanks for everything, from your knowledge and expertise, to your additions of poems and other readings. You ensured that everything ran smoothly. We really enjoyed the trip.
Lenore and Dan Moss
Chicago


Thanks for all your help, knowledge, and good cheer. It was a wonderful trip -- mostly because of you
Joan Pomaranc
Chicago


Thank you so much for enriching our experience in Israel. We feel lucky to have had you as our guide for our first visit. The special touches you added made the tour more personal.
Howard and Phyllis Cohen
Chicago


You should know that, even after more than a month, I still get really pumped when telling people about our trip to Israel. I have to thank you again for all you did to make our experience so great -- even getting me to wake up at 4 am to hike in the dark! (those pictures are some of my favorites, by the way)
You should also know that the first several days after coming home I was really missing hearing you make all those wise cracks and jokes... Truly, you added a fun element to our experience that I really appreciated.
Dan Kapler
San Francisco

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