Blog
Tour writeups, reflections on guiding and the occasional practical guide.
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128 articles
The Priestly Blessing (Birkat HaCohanim) at the Western Wall
The unified Priestly Blessing (Birkat HaCohanim) at the Western Wall: a personal reflection on the service that takes place twice a year, when hundreds of cohanim recite a blessing dating back to the First Temple.
2015: A first full year of guiding in review
Reflecting on 2015, my first full year as a licensed tour guide in Israel; 163 days of guiding, 1866 people from 53 countries, every type of weather, and a real love of the work.
A Return to the Northern Judean Desert
A return trip to the northern Judean Desert with my friend and fellow guide Ori, taking in the Inn of the Good Samaritan, Herodian ruins, Qumran, Kalia beach, the cliffside monastery of St George in Wadi Kelt and the Dead Sea Balcony at Mitzpe Yericho.
The Hebrew University on Mt Scopus
A walking tour of the Hebrew University on Mt Scopus with a local guide: the botanical gardens, the Cave of Nicanor, the tombs of Ussishkin and Pinsker, and the amphitheatre.
Nachal Amud and Migration in the Hula
A perfect autumn hike down through Nachal Meiron and Nachal Amud, followed by a drive across the Galilee to the ancient synagogue at Bar'am and the migrating cranes at the Agamon.
Ein Avdat, Ben Gurion’s Hut and Mitzpe Revivim
A day-trip down to the Negev with a friend: the desert oasis hike of Ein Avdat, Ben Gurion's hut at Sde Boker, the Naot goat's cheese farm and the early-settlement story of Mitzpe Revivim.
Graduation from the Taglit-Birthright Institute for Tour Educators
I've just graduated from the Taglit-Birthright Institute for Tour Educators, a three-week seminar designed to sharpen the practical craft of guiding Birthright groups. A few thoughts on the course, the people and what I took away.
The Eichmann in the Room
On a Friday evening in Holon, the elderly Yemenite gentleman sitting in my usual synagogue seat turned out to be Shalom Nagar, the man who hanged Adolf Eichmann.
Hiking the Zavitan Stream
A short hike on the upper Zavitan stream in the Yehudiya Nature Reserve, with basalt-column pools, a waterfall and plenty of opportunity to cool off in the Golan heat.
The Israel tour guide exam, Part Two: the oral exam
The oral exam is the final stage in qualifying as a licensed Israel tour guide; here are the questions I can remember being asked, covering my itinerary, the Hermon, Jerusalem itineraries and a few curveballs.
If you are going to Israel, you would be mad not to give him a call.
Amol Rajan, BBC presenter and broadcaster
Having been on trips in Israel with seven different tour guides, Samuel stood above all the rest.
Seasoned Israel traveller
Samuel is one part walking encyclopedia, one part storyteller, one part stand-up comedian.
Berkeley Haas Business School student