About Us

MEET YOUR GUIDE

The people helping you live the experience

Jane Doe

Tour operator and guide. Passionate about travel, which I focus around my vision for making any visit to Israel an unforgettable one, fun, experiential and fitting to the needs and interests of each individual group. I hold a Bachelor degree in the Land of Israel Studies, and a Master degree in International Development. Join Vivid Israel and me for an adventure of a lifetime!

Jane Doe

I was born and raised in Jerusalem, lived in different parts of the world throughout my childhood and spent time traveling for years as an adult, until I realized that my passion for my home here in Israel is equivalent to my own life’s diversity – knowing and sharing with others the different places, stories, peoples and experiences that join together in creating this unique mosaic, which is called the State of Israel.

Since that understanding years ago, I have studied and explored Israel’s many sides, by foot as well as through the academic world. I’ve been creating and guiding trips throughout Israel since 2014, telling its stories and sharing its vivid colors with visitors from around the world.

I specialize and cater to a wide range of travel styles, and focus them all around my main vision which I define as making any visit to Israel an unforgettable one, fitting the experience to the needs and interests which bring each individual group to travel this country.

Beyond travel in Israel, I lead trips to India & Central America, and in my private life share a passion for playing music, reading books, hiking and diving. I posses a bachelors degree in “Land of Israel Studies” through Haifa University; a Masters degree in International Development through Tel Aviv University; and am a licensed specialist on the Christian faith.

My travel moto is “Travel far enough to meet yourself”

OFER

Ofer was born in a small village in the upper Galilee of Israel situated close to a number of Arab villages. The populations of the villages mixed and coexisted and Ofer developed numerous friendships with people from all walks of life.

OFER

Ofer was born in a small village in the upper Galilee of Israel, situated close to a number of Arab villages. The people of the villages mixed and coexisted, and he developed numerous friendships with people from all walks of Israeli life.

As the years went by, Ofer developed a love for the land and immersed himself in stories of its history and culture, and keenly studied the geography. As a child, he loved to go on hikes and tours, and would act as a tour guide for family and friends as early as the 8th grade.

After high school, Ofer served for three years in the IDF’s 101 paratrooper’s unit as a medic and a sergeant. Finishing his service, he did what many Israelis do – grabbed a backpack and went traveling across Asia and central Europe, in an excursion that lasted for almost two years.

Upon return, he spent a few months in an archeological dig as a volunteer. Shortly after that meaningful experience, he started a B.A degree in Land of Israel studies, focusing on archeology and religions of the holy land. After finishing his Bachelors, he earned his tour guide license from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and has been guiding since.

Today Ofer lives in the beautiful village of Ein-Kerem on the outskirts of Jerusalem, with his girlfriend and their dog. Amongst his neighbors are traditional religious Jews, Christians Orthodox and Franciscan monks – Israeli diversity at its brightest

Ofer has a huge passion for his job as a travel guide, and would be excited to take part in making your visit to Israel a one of a kind experience.

JAVIER

A man of the earth. A special import from Argentina to the holy land. Teaches the country roads from the feet and through the soul. Lets every tourist feel like his own personal guest in a most surprising way. Making the ancient stones of Israel speak through the stories

JAVIER

Javier was born in Argentina and when he was 4 his parents made Aliya (migrated) to lsrael.
Following Javier’s request for open spaces, green grass, and a playground near the dining hall, they moved to a kibbutz in the north of israel, now the transformation from the big city of Buenos Aires to the country said of Israel was completed. Javier is a true kibbutznik who grew up so close to nature, springs, streams and wildlife. He studied at a democratic school and specialized in theater and history.

In the army, he worked in the field of emergency medicine, while serving in the IDF as a medicine guide, he used to qualify medicines crews, doctors, and paramedics to work together under fire. After the army he worked in London and flew to South America for a year to explore his Latin roots.

Javier is a proud father of two energetic boys.

On the professional side, Javier has years of experience guiding field trips on Israel’s paths, and for the last 5 years he is working as a licensed tour guide that specializes in history, nature and is known for always finding the best stories and telling them in the most interesting, funny and thought-provoking way.

SHIRA

SHIRA

For Shira, being a tour guide is not only a profession, but a deep passion. She sees a tour in Israel as much more than just sightseeing, but as a journey that goes deep into the vibrant, colorful story of Israel, beneath its visible surface. Israel is a breathtaking country, where different cultures and religions interact to create a unique and complex mosaic.

Together, you’ll explore this land, its history and its people. Beyond the verbal, and as a major foodie, Shira believes that any journey to a new place cannot be complete without a true tasting experience, or as we call it in Vivid Israel –
“travel through the taste buds”.

Join Shira for an unforgettable adventure, fit and suited specially to meet your Israel travel vision.

MAAYAN

Maayan Leshem is an educator and licensed Israel Tour Guide who has worked for the past 13 years with visitors from around the world and has served as an educational emissary for the Jewish Agency in the United States and Australia.

MAAYAN

Maayan is an educator and licensed Israel Tour Guide who has worked for the past 13 years with visitors from around the world, and has served as an educational emissary for the Jewish Agency in the United States and Australia. His tours, classes and workshops focus on history, narrative religion and politics.

Maayan’s work incorporates multi-narrative political tourism, as well as interfaith issues. He has led thousands of tours, including programs for politicians and religious leaders from around the world. Additionally, Maayan serves as a guide regularly at the Jerusalem Press Club where he works with international journalists and journalism students from the USA.

Maayan received training as a guide at Yad Ben Zvi Institute, and also holds degrees in Special Education from Tel Chai College and Land of Israel studies from Herzog College.

When he is not guiding, Maayan teaches Jewish studies at Yad BeYad, the Jewish Arab bilingual school on Jerusalem.

AVIV

guided numerous organizations, including the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Nature and Parks Authority, Intel, Amazon, and the American military. In addition, I have led hundreds of private tours for individuals, groups, companies, and families from both Israel and abroad.

AVIV

After his military service, Aviv decided to leave his hometown of Tel-Aviv and head up to the hills of Jerusalem. To its people, its secrets, and its nuances, only those who live in the city can fully understand it.

Jerusalem became his home, and he came to know it from the inside-out throughout the years, wandered its streets for endless hours – East Jerusalem, ‘Meah Shearim’, churches, synagogues and mosques.

Aviv knows the best spots to drink coffee, bargain in the marketplace and truly feel the heartbeat of the city. His professional life as a guide began when he led soldiers and youth in Jerusalem as part of his obligatory military service.

In 2013, Aviv completed his studies as a professional tour guide and has worked in the field ever since. In addition to his background as a tour guide, he has a BA in Geography, History, and the Humanities, with a focus on religions and archaeology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Aviv recently completed his MA in ‘Israel Studies’ from the University of Haifa.
In 2016, he completed a specialized course on the topic of Christianity, in a framework approved by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.

Over the past decade, Aviv has guided numerous organizations, including the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Nature and Parks Authority, Intel, Amazon, and the American military. In addition, he has led hundreds of private tours for individuals, groups, companies, and families from both Israel and abroad.

“I am continually inspired by the people I guide and love sharing the endless discoveries of this ancient, beautiful land and people”.

About

Vivid Israel is a travel brand that creates tailored trips in Israel. A passion for people, nature, culture, and travel is what leads us to invest in sharing this unique country with others around the world. We help in planning and catering personalized itineraries, visits to sites and activities, quality licensed travel guides and comfortable transportation, alongside other aspects that lead to traveling Israel in a fun and meaningful way. Our main goal is to tailor unforgettable travel experiences. As part of our mission, we believe memorable trips go hand-in-hand with leaving a positive impact, a concept which in return supports authentic experiences that take travelers deep into Israel in a fun, personal and meaningful way.

Vivid Israel was created by Tal Kazaz, an active tour guide and travel specialist operating in Israel and India for the past fifteen years. Born and raised in Jerusalem, with a Bachelor’s degree in Land of Israel Studies and an M.A. in Sustainability and International Development, Vivid Israel is the materialized outcome of Tal’s connection, passion, and experience.

About Us

MEET YOUR GUIDE

The people helping you live the experience

Jane Doe

OFER

JAVIER

SHIRA

MAAYAN

AVIV

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