Israel Tour Education
We use Jewish texts, primary and secondary sources, song and poetry, discussions and debates, and other methodologies to enrich your Israel Tour Education experience.
Please contact us to answer the Israel Tour Education needs of your individual, small group or family tour or short-, medium- or long-term Israel program or educational tour group.
Some feedback about educational touring with Ilan Bloch
Fascinating and stimulating
Ilan was fabulous. He is extremely knowledgeable and interesting. I cannot wait to return to Israel and take another journey with him!
I highly recommend Ilan! You will not be disappointed. (Susan S.)
Amazing tour guide who includes complex, differing narratives
Ilan was the guide for an 11-day trip around Israel with our synagogue this summer. He was thoroughly informed and organized. He was cheerful and funny. He gave descriptions that incorporated history, religion, politics. He included the varying narratives that help make sense of what we saw and heard. He was, hands down, my favorite thing about Israel. I would recommend him to anyone who wants to learn the complexities of what you're seeing, not just some rote description. He has small children himself, so he would be a great guide for a group with kids. We had people with various physical limitations in our group, and he was able to make the trip work for everyone. (SF Margo)
"Dear Ilan,
"It was a real pleasure having you as one of our guides on
our recent trip to Israel.
"Your knowledge, patience and good humor was truly appreciated
by all of us, especially Sharon and myself.
"Keep up your enthusiasm, you have a great future ahead of you.
"Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you and your family.
"Regards,
Stan" (Stan Molotsky)
"SHALOM ILAN!!
"Ilan, you are the tour leader extraordinaire! You know how they have those talent shows on TV and when the first note comes out of someone's mouth that is so soul-searing that everyone's jaw drops - that's what it's like spending a week on tour with you, except that you don't make people cry.
"You have such a special talent for combining history, politics, religion, current events and culture into a coherent, simultaneous conversation for a target audience. You will be a special request on my next trip to Israel. As we already discussed, you really shone when explaining to a group of Jews from Cherry Hill, NJ the entire meaning of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A friend of mine has been trying to explain to me for the past 10 years what you described succinctly in 15 minutes.
"When the survey comes out, I am voting for you as a National Treasure of Israel!" (Harv Cohen)
"Ilan provided a wonderful learning experience around the old city of Jerusalem, both for my husband and me who have been there many times as well as for our 13 y.o. granddaughter. His explanations were thorough and compelling as he intertwined history with current events. When asked what she thought about the 4 (actually nearly 5) hours we had spent with Ilan, our granddaughter replied, "He was awesome!" We wholeheartedly endorse him as a guide and hope to benefit from his knowledge sometime again." (Elizabeth Richman)
"Ilan is a superior educator who has an incredible depth and understanding of the history, culture, and issues surrounding Israel. He presents the facts in a way that highlights multiple viewpoints and always encourages his audience to make up their own minds. This was not just a tour but rather a thought provoking, educational experience that has changed the way I look at the State of Israel, its people and its rich cultural history. I would highly recommend Ilan to work with any group of teens or adults who are truly interested in seeing Israel in a new and thought provoking manner." (James Camic)
"Ilan: I can hardly say what a pleasure it has been to be in your Taglit group. Your guiding totally blew me away and far exceeded all my expectations for Birthright. I was warned so many times before the trip about propaganda about Zionism - only instruction, about "brainwashing," and in your group those warnings never even came to mind excepts as thoughts like "This isn't what they warned me about." I so appreciate your knowledge, your clarity of presentation/speech/thought, and especially the care you took/take in creating spaces for each of us to explore out own Jewish identity - religious, cultural, political and spiritual. You've had a tremendously positive effect on my relationship to all those aspects of Jewish life and on my relationship to myself, both as a Jew and as a person, a teacher, a citizen, and a friend. Thank you especially for your words about ahavat chinam, baseless love -- I now have a word for a concept very dear to me -- and a "Jewish" word at that. I will definitely continue to learn from you as I reflect on this journey, and I would count myself lucky if our paths should cross again. Until then, peace and light to you and yours. Cheers! Shalom!" (Ben D.)
"Dear Ilan, This comes as a very small token of our appreciation for all you did for the LSE Interfaith group. In addition to your extensive knowledge and expertise as a tour guide and educator, your warmth and engagement with the group won everyone over and was a significant contributor to the cohesion of the group and the success of the trip. Your willingness to talk about Judaism and broaden the students' perspectives on Israel was particularly valuable from my point of view. I hope we can work again with you in the future. With all good wishes." (The Revd Dr James Walters)
"Dear Ilan, I wanted to write you a letter to let you know just how much you have taught me, guided me, influenced me, and meant to me over these past four months. I came on TRY hoping to change, to become a better person. I wasn’t sure how or when that was going to happen, but I prayed that when I left Israel a distant four months later I would be a different and improved person. Well, I’ve reached the end of those four months, and the things about me that have changed and improved have come mainly as a result of four months of ICC I had with you. You taught me how important it is to have opinions and how to form those opinions. You challenged me to think both morally and independently, and you have confused me beyond belief. I know you always say that this confusion is a good thing, that it means I am becoming an adult and coming to a point where I can actually make a difference. While I like to agree with this, there have been many days over these four months when I went to bed mentally exhausted after a long day of ICC, not knowing my opinions on basically anything. It is very disconcerting, especially for a normally opinionated person such as myself, not to know what I think or what I believe. But this confusion and uncertainty has forced me to think harder than I ever have before, to really look at all of the sides of an issue, to look at my morals and what I stand for, in order to create opinions that I can truly support. This is something that you taught me to do, bringing me to a new level of thought and analysis; I am so thankful that you did so. Your teaching has helped me grow over these four months into a much more mature thinker and person. With the confusion that you have brought me comes a lot of questions. And I mean a LOT of questions. You have always been patient with me, answering everything I ask honestly and insightfully (except in review sessions when you choose to ignore me so that I go crazy…). Your answers have given me many new perspectives and have made me think long and hard about how I might answer the same questions. A specific example of this was when you answered my questions and discussed politics with me for over an hour after our tiyul to the Knesset, you probably had better places to be. It meant a lot to me that you would take the time to discuss issues in Israeli society with someone who cannot vote and doesn’t even know her opinions on the matters discussed. I never felt that you were imposing your opinion on me, but rather presenting one side of an issue, which I could then form my own opinion on. Our discussion definitely helped me form some more concrete opinions and also thoroughly f-ed my mind—in a good way, of course. Not only were you always there to discuss something intellectual, you talked to me several times about the land of Israel and what I should do for a gap year here. It was very helpful and made me feel much more like your friend instead of just your student. You opened my eyes to new options for coming back here and gave me advice on options I already knew about. This went above and beyond what was required of you as a teacher, so that you were truly a role model and a friend. I will never forget the amazing life lessons you taught us—they have inspired me to be a better Jew and a better person, and for that I thank you with all of my heart. Please keep in touch, and obviously whenever you are in MN (which is often, right?), let me know!" (Rebecca M.)
"I would like to thank you for an amazing experience that I had with you as our tour guide. You should know that before coming on the trip I had many anxieties relating to fear of political indoctrination and religious coercion, but you were amazingly balanced and moderate. Thank you for making my trip so wonderful!" (Izzy P.)
"We so enjoyed our three days with you! Your knowledge and ability to articulate the many aspects of Israeli history, past and present is amazing. I have a much better understanding of your country and appreciation for its rich history! Thanks so much! Shana Tovah!" (Margaret Dougherty)
"Your knowledge of Jewish tradition, Israeli history, and corny jokes never failed to impress us. Your insights along the way helped our journey live up to its aims of self-discovery and intellectual growth. Your patience and kindness made a busy trip feel easy. Your clear explanations and dogged reminders kept us on track. Your presence had, in other words, been an integral part of what some of us already recognize as a defining experience of our young Jewish lives. Thank you for guiding us through Israel so brilliantly.” (Summer teen group from Washington DC)
"I would like to thank you for guiding us. It was extremely informative and transformative. Not only did it change my political perspective but also a personal one. Being immersed in the culture changed the way I view the world. I really want to come back to the region and spend more time there. Also to visit the family I have that live there. Take care and thank you once again." (Franklin R.)
Please contact us to answer the Israel Tour Education needs of your individual, small group or family tour or short-, medium- or long-term Israel program or educational tour group.
Some feedback about educational touring with Ilan Bloch
Fascinating and stimulating
Ilan was fabulous. He is extremely knowledgeable and interesting. I cannot wait to return to Israel and take another journey with him!
I highly recommend Ilan! You will not be disappointed. (Susan S.)
Amazing tour guide who includes complex, differing narratives
Ilan was the guide for an 11-day trip around Israel with our synagogue this summer. He was thoroughly informed and organized. He was cheerful and funny. He gave descriptions that incorporated history, religion, politics. He included the varying narratives that help make sense of what we saw and heard. He was, hands down, my favorite thing about Israel. I would recommend him to anyone who wants to learn the complexities of what you're seeing, not just some rote description. He has small children himself, so he would be a great guide for a group with kids. We had people with various physical limitations in our group, and he was able to make the trip work for everyone. (SF Margo)
"Dear Ilan,
"It was a real pleasure having you as one of our guides on
our recent trip to Israel.
"Your knowledge, patience and good humor was truly appreciated
by all of us, especially Sharon and myself.
"Keep up your enthusiasm, you have a great future ahead of you.
"Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you and your family.
"Regards,
Stan" (Stan Molotsky)
"SHALOM ILAN!!
"Ilan, you are the tour leader extraordinaire! You know how they have those talent shows on TV and when the first note comes out of someone's mouth that is so soul-searing that everyone's jaw drops - that's what it's like spending a week on tour with you, except that you don't make people cry.
"You have such a special talent for combining history, politics, religion, current events and culture into a coherent, simultaneous conversation for a target audience. You will be a special request on my next trip to Israel. As we already discussed, you really shone when explaining to a group of Jews from Cherry Hill, NJ the entire meaning of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. A friend of mine has been trying to explain to me for the past 10 years what you described succinctly in 15 minutes.
"When the survey comes out, I am voting for you as a National Treasure of Israel!" (Harv Cohen)
"Ilan provided a wonderful learning experience around the old city of Jerusalem, both for my husband and me who have been there many times as well as for our 13 y.o. granddaughter. His explanations were thorough and compelling as he intertwined history with current events. When asked what she thought about the 4 (actually nearly 5) hours we had spent with Ilan, our granddaughter replied, "He was awesome!" We wholeheartedly endorse him as a guide and hope to benefit from his knowledge sometime again." (Elizabeth Richman)
"Ilan is a superior educator who has an incredible depth and understanding of the history, culture, and issues surrounding Israel. He presents the facts in a way that highlights multiple viewpoints and always encourages his audience to make up their own minds. This was not just a tour but rather a thought provoking, educational experience that has changed the way I look at the State of Israel, its people and its rich cultural history. I would highly recommend Ilan to work with any group of teens or adults who are truly interested in seeing Israel in a new and thought provoking manner." (James Camic)
"Ilan: I can hardly say what a pleasure it has been to be in your Taglit group. Your guiding totally blew me away and far exceeded all my expectations for Birthright. I was warned so many times before the trip about propaganda about Zionism - only instruction, about "brainwashing," and in your group those warnings never even came to mind excepts as thoughts like "This isn't what they warned me about." I so appreciate your knowledge, your clarity of presentation/speech/thought, and especially the care you took/take in creating spaces for each of us to explore out own Jewish identity - religious, cultural, political and spiritual. You've had a tremendously positive effect on my relationship to all those aspects of Jewish life and on my relationship to myself, both as a Jew and as a person, a teacher, a citizen, and a friend. Thank you especially for your words about ahavat chinam, baseless love -- I now have a word for a concept very dear to me -- and a "Jewish" word at that. I will definitely continue to learn from you as I reflect on this journey, and I would count myself lucky if our paths should cross again. Until then, peace and light to you and yours. Cheers! Shalom!" (Ben D.)
"Dear Ilan, This comes as a very small token of our appreciation for all you did for the LSE Interfaith group. In addition to your extensive knowledge and expertise as a tour guide and educator, your warmth and engagement with the group won everyone over and was a significant contributor to the cohesion of the group and the success of the trip. Your willingness to talk about Judaism and broaden the students' perspectives on Israel was particularly valuable from my point of view. I hope we can work again with you in the future. With all good wishes." (The Revd Dr James Walters)
"Dear Ilan, I wanted to write you a letter to let you know just how much you have taught me, guided me, influenced me, and meant to me over these past four months. I came on TRY hoping to change, to become a better person. I wasn’t sure how or when that was going to happen, but I prayed that when I left Israel a distant four months later I would be a different and improved person. Well, I’ve reached the end of those four months, and the things about me that have changed and improved have come mainly as a result of four months of ICC I had with you. You taught me how important it is to have opinions and how to form those opinions. You challenged me to think both morally and independently, and you have confused me beyond belief. I know you always say that this confusion is a good thing, that it means I am becoming an adult and coming to a point where I can actually make a difference. While I like to agree with this, there have been many days over these four months when I went to bed mentally exhausted after a long day of ICC, not knowing my opinions on basically anything. It is very disconcerting, especially for a normally opinionated person such as myself, not to know what I think or what I believe. But this confusion and uncertainty has forced me to think harder than I ever have before, to really look at all of the sides of an issue, to look at my morals and what I stand for, in order to create opinions that I can truly support. This is something that you taught me to do, bringing me to a new level of thought and analysis; I am so thankful that you did so. Your teaching has helped me grow over these four months into a much more mature thinker and person. With the confusion that you have brought me comes a lot of questions. And I mean a LOT of questions. You have always been patient with me, answering everything I ask honestly and insightfully (except in review sessions when you choose to ignore me so that I go crazy…). Your answers have given me many new perspectives and have made me think long and hard about how I might answer the same questions. A specific example of this was when you answered my questions and discussed politics with me for over an hour after our tiyul to the Knesset, you probably had better places to be. It meant a lot to me that you would take the time to discuss issues in Israeli society with someone who cannot vote and doesn’t even know her opinions on the matters discussed. I never felt that you were imposing your opinion on me, but rather presenting one side of an issue, which I could then form my own opinion on. Our discussion definitely helped me form some more concrete opinions and also thoroughly f-ed my mind—in a good way, of course. Not only were you always there to discuss something intellectual, you talked to me several times about the land of Israel and what I should do for a gap year here. It was very helpful and made me feel much more like your friend instead of just your student. You opened my eyes to new options for coming back here and gave me advice on options I already knew about. This went above and beyond what was required of you as a teacher, so that you were truly a role model and a friend. I will never forget the amazing life lessons you taught us—they have inspired me to be a better Jew and a better person, and for that I thank you with all of my heart. Please keep in touch, and obviously whenever you are in MN (which is often, right?), let me know!" (Rebecca M.)
"I would like to thank you for an amazing experience that I had with you as our tour guide. You should know that before coming on the trip I had many anxieties relating to fear of political indoctrination and religious coercion, but you were amazingly balanced and moderate. Thank you for making my trip so wonderful!" (Izzy P.)
"We so enjoyed our three days with you! Your knowledge and ability to articulate the many aspects of Israeli history, past and present is amazing. I have a much better understanding of your country and appreciation for its rich history! Thanks so much! Shana Tovah!" (Margaret Dougherty)
"Your knowledge of Jewish tradition, Israeli history, and corny jokes never failed to impress us. Your insights along the way helped our journey live up to its aims of self-discovery and intellectual growth. Your patience and kindness made a busy trip feel easy. Your clear explanations and dogged reminders kept us on track. Your presence had, in other words, been an integral part of what some of us already recognize as a defining experience of our young Jewish lives. Thank you for guiding us through Israel so brilliantly.” (Summer teen group from Washington DC)
"I would like to thank you for guiding us. It was extremely informative and transformative. Not only did it change my political perspective but also a personal one. Being immersed in the culture changed the way I view the world. I really want to come back to the region and spend more time there. Also to visit the family I have that live there. Take care and thank you once again." (Franklin R.)
 Images courtesy of www.bigfoto.com |
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