Gaza
Gaza is the coastal strip at Israel’s southwestern edge, with deep Philistine, Roman, Byzantine and Mamluk-era history. Discussed here as part of a post on the settlement of the Negev in the modern period.
7 articles
7 articles
How to visit the Gaza Envelope area in the wake of the October 7th massacre
A first-hand look at visiting the Gaza Envelope after October 7th — the Nova memorial, Sderot, the Shuva Achim rest stop, and the ethical considerations to weigh before you go.
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.
Campus Negev Day 2: The Ramon Crater / Makhtesh Ramon
Day 2 of the Negev campus in the Makhtesh Ramon: the refurbished visitors' centre in Mitzpe Ramon, the Nabbatean khan at Saharonim, the dykes of Nachal Ardon, the Carpentry Shop and a porcupine or two at Bio Ramon.
The South in 1948
A field trip along the 1948 southern front: the Ad Halom Bridge that stopped the Egyptian advance, Kibbutz Nitzanim and the Women of Valour Centre, Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, and Kibbutz Negba where Operation Yoav broke through into the Negev.
Settlement of the Negev in the Modern Period
A field trip through the north-western Negev and Gaza Envelope: water and security at Nir Am, the Black Arrow memorial, the RAF and ANZAC memorials in the Beeri Forest, the Maon Synagogue mosaic, Mitzpe Gvulot, the Nachal Besor bridge and Kibbutz Ruchama.
Campus Golan Day 1: Central Golan Heights
Day 1 of the Golan Heights campus: a hike down Nachal Jilabun, wine tasting at the Golan Heights Winery, the Talmudic Village of Katzrin, and memorials at Mitzpe Gadot and Tel Faher.
Nabatean Cities in the Negev
A field-trip to two of the Nabatean cities of the Negev, Mamshit and Avdat, now a UNESCO world heritage site: the ingenious cisterns, the spice and wine trade, the assimilation into Roman and then Byzantine Christian culture.
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