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If you are coming to Jerusalem and looking for a
guide, tours with Gila are: |
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GEARED
TO YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS, whether it be
Bible, archeology, history, photography, or
inter-faith. |
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INTERACTIVE.
We're free to exchange ideas on topics close to the
heart such as faith, politics, or ethnicity, which
are all taboo on packaged tours. |
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LOADED
WITH STORIES of adventures with archeologists (such
as Yigal Shiloh, Dan Bahat, Meir Ben Dov) and laced
with anecdotes gleaned while reporting for the
non-profit Jerusalem Foundation established by
Jerusalem's great 20th century builder Teddy Kollek.
You get the inside scoop! |
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ADVENTUROUS.
We never know exactly what is going to happen on
tour. That is Jerusalem. Totally
unpredictable. For example, what if the
messiah suddenly appears right in the middle of our
tour? (It's possible!) |
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In any case, your tour is guaranteed to be MEMORABLE! |
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Gila Yudkin, a Connecticut-born Yankee, has been
guiding in King David's court for over three
decades. At the beginning of her career, she
guided the popular two-hour Shabbat walking tours
sponsored by the municipality of Jerusalem, each
Shabbat to a different quarter of the Old City or to
the Mount of Olives or the City of David. Once
she guided 101 (!) people on an anecdote-rich tour
of the Christian Quarter churches and courtyards. |
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Photo: Yacov
Lemann |
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Gila guiding on the Mount of
Olives with the Old City in the background |
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| Now she has down-sized to guiding individual
customized tours for people who are riveted by
Jerusalem's past, present and/or future. If you have
stamina for a walking tour, Gila can help you
navigate you the Old City alleyways, architecture,
legends, religions and squabbles. |
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Types of individuals or small groups Gila's
tours are particularly suited for: |
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- Business people who have one day free to get
energized by Jerusalem's holy highlights
- Interfaith couples who would like a tour
embracing both Jewish and Christian narratives
- History buffs who are especially interested in
First Temple, Second Temple, Roman, Arab,
Crusader, Turkish or Mandate periods in Jerusalem
- Wanna-be archeologists who would like the 2-
and 3-thousand year-old stones brought to life
- Photographers who appreciate a colleague
suggesting some great angles
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"Gila, you were a special blessing to me during my
trip to Israel. I am thankful that you were
our guide on a personal tour of the Old City and
for the professional and extremely informative
approach you took. You provided me with a new insight into the
history of Israel and the current culture. I
have shared time and time again things that you
taught us, and I only regret that I was too timid
to sing in the church when you gave me the
opportunity." Larry
Waye, Executive Director Decator-Morgan County
Entrepreneurial Center, Decator, Alabama
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Email Gila for
availability and price details. You will receive a
link to a payment page where you can place a deposit
to save the date of your tour. Then we will
correspond by email to determine your special
interests so the tour includes what you want to see.
If you wish, Gila will come to your hotel at the
start of the tour. |
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"I was so caught up in the pressures and
pleasures of shepherding eight other people all
over Israel that I didn't find time until now to
thank you for the tour you gave us in Jerusalem.
It was not only great for them, but I
myself got oriented to the archeology and layout
of the Old City in a way I had never been before,
so it was great for me too. You were
generous in letting the time spill over (into your
own time), and your knowledge and good spirits
blessed everybody. Thanks!"
Julie Gilmour, Silver
City, New Mexico
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Possibilities to mix and match for your memorable
Jerusalem tour: |
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Temple Mount tour
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Ramparts walk |
Mount of Olives |
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Hezekiah's Tunnel |
Tower of David |
Ophel Excavations |
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Absalom's Tomb |
Garden of Gethsemane |
Stations of the Cross |
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- Tour the Temple Mount in the footsteps of
Abraham & Isaac, David & Solomon, Jesus and the
disciples, Mohammed & Gabriel (early morning but
not on Friday or Saturday)
- 4 Quarters tour of the Old City
- Tower of David by the Jaffa Gate (a history
of Jerusalem with an unparalleled view over the
city)
- City of David with either Hezekiah's Tunnel or
the dry Canaanite tunnel (Not for the
claustrophobically challenged -- Need LOTS of
physical stamina, for there are many, many steps
uphill)
- Ramparts walk: geography of Jerusalem and a
peak into lots of Old City courtyards and rooftops
- Southern wall archeological excavations (this
requires mental stamina!)
- Walk from the Mount of Olives down through the
Kidron Valley (Bible-based tour which may start
with a camel-ride!)
- The Old City by Night
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| We aim for as much fun as possible on tour. Here's
Gila illustrating why the fig leaf was chosen by Adam
and Eve when they realized they were naked in the
Garden of Eden. For more of the story, see Genesis
3. |
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Photo: Silvia
Hess |
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Gila's fig leaf... |
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“You made
every landmark, building, every site, every
rock, every hill and road, every mountain or
body of water come alive for us. We
re-lived the Old and New Testament through
your words."
Barbara Manderbach, Burlington, New Jersey
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"I am so thankful for how God has knitted
you together. With a steady calmness
and patience, your abundant knowledge and
experiences have made the pages of God's
Word come alive -- in living color with
smells and tastes and history and stories.
Big things got bigger, and 'small things'
gained more detail."
Tampa Murphy,
Hudson, Ohio
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"Back in the UK now and just wanted to thank you
for the excellence of your guiding with Gry and me
last week. The day in Jerusalem [Holy
Saturday where we saw the Ceremony of the Holy
Fire] with you was one of the highlights of my
visit to Israel, and should friends of mine find
themselves in need of a guide for the Holy Land I
shall be sure to recommend you."
Xavier Villers, London,
UK
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Email Gila for
availability and price details. You will receive a
link to a payment page where you can place a deposit
to save the date of your tour. |
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| Read more
about Gila
and what tour leaders say about
her style of guiding |
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