The tour is extremely well planned allowing for group activities appealing to young and old as well as time to explore on an individual basis […] the children on the trip bonded through the shared Bar and Bat Mitzva experience.

Dorothy Rosenberg, Avon CT, June 2011

 

The tour was very fun and educational and we were kept active and happy. It changed my view on life and Israel and made me proud!

Sarah Wong, Irvine CA, June 2011

 

I went into this trip with little expectations so not to be disappointed. I found it absolutely incredible! I am proud of Israel and fortunate to have the experience. I will not say goodbye only until we meet again!

Neil Rosen, Pine Brook NJ, July 2011

 

For me, this trip had a different meaning. I am not Jewish but my wife and step-children are. This experience was as much about family and celebrating the special day of my step-children but was also an amazing learning experience about Jewish and Israeli heritage and culture. It was very memorable and my family and I have memories to last a lifetime.

Mark Chaplis, Macungie PA, July 2011

 

The group was like a family. The sites we visited were outstanding. The Bar Mitzva was a moving experience.

Scott Morris, Lake Worth FL, June 2011

 

Each area had its own beauty and with the tours plans we were able to appreciate the history as well as the beauty. Everybody involved with the tour was extremely helpful and pleasant. We appreciate that every detail of the tour had been considered and planed for.

Beverly Schnurman, Rockaway NJ, July 2011

 

My family returned from the 15-day Bar Mitzvah trip last Monday and is happily telling our friends and family about all of our adventures during our trip and how lovely, warm, and personal the B'nai Mitzvah on Masada was. As I wrote on the evaluation form, the tour guide, Dani, driver, Eliezar, and the Rabbi were all fabulous and provided a safe, educational, and memorable family trip that we will remember fondly forever. We also liked your daughter, Karen, and the Torah and certificate she gave us and her heartfelt welcome and closing speeches. Again, thank you for the wonderful trip and all of the thought, hard work, details, and heart that you put into planning the Bar Mitzvah tour of Israel for American families.

Kathy Brook-Wong

…your service to us was excellent. (It was a) very enjoyable trip and we would recommend (you) to our friends and family in Toronto, Canada.

Karl & Paul Lederman

(The tour was) action packed; a good overview of Israel, its history and all the religions while allowing time for shopping and a little relaxation. As a Jew I already had a great appreciation and admiration of the people and the country. The tour increased my love for Israel.

Stuart Lipskin 

  
This was the best vacation I have ever been on. Danny (tour guide) was excellent, I learned more than I thought possible. I would strongly recommend this tour to my family and friends.

Loyce & Lloyd Cohen 

“Overall I feel very good about our trip and would take an ITAS tour again. You know how to hire good people.”

Geri Levine – Huntley, IL – May 13, 2010 – Adult Tour

“We thank you for not only far exceeding our expectations in making our tour experience so pleasantly memorable, but also for so profoundly impacting the positive and prideful way that (we) now view ourselves as Jews and our connection to Israel… Your commitment and passion to Israel and its people has inspired us… (ITAS is) very professional, experienced, and committed to providing a pleasant and memorable tour experience.”

Allen & Jackie Pollack – Huntley, IL – May 13, 2010 – Adult Tour

 

“As this was our 4th trip to Israel—have to say Guy was the best guide ever and really fabulous and took care of us… (We) would definitely use ITAS again and would recommend to others.”

Alan & Ellen Rabin – Ormond Beach, FL – April 8, 2010 – Private Tour

“Excellent… (We) saw everything we wanted to see… (We) enjoyed ourselves immensely! Loved Israel. Felt like we were home.”

Sindee Kritzberg – West Hills, CA – June 21, 2010 – Private Bar Mitzvah Tour

“We are back from our trip and we must tell you that we had the most wonderful time. Your care and attention to details showed in every way. Shimon was an inspirational guide. He was as good with the children as he was with the adults… We would not hesitate to use ITAS or recommend you to our friends. Thank you again for a wonderful and memorable experience.”

Rochelle Lipton – North Hills, NY – August 16, 2010 – Private Bar Mitzvah Tour

 

“Just wanted to send you a little note about our trip to Israel. We loved it, especially Jerusalem.”

Mandy Dorfman – Richboro, PA – Dec 21, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“I found the tour to be very well run. The guide was knowledgeable, nice and very helpful with everything… Overall a great experience, so much fun. I would consider touring again with your company. I will recommend your company to all my family and friends.”

Glenn Davidow – Agoura Hills, CA – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“The trip was very well planned and executed by the hard work of the ITAS team. We felt very welcome by the owner of ITAS… Not only did we see sights but learned so much history… The whole team was very attentive to all the needs of each passenger. Most of all everyone shared their passion and love of Israel with us.”

Phyllis Karm – Huntington Beach, CA – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“It was a great experience… I enjoyed learning about Israel with my family.”

Debi Karm – Huntington Beach, CA – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“It was the most spectacular trip we’ve ever been on. Guy was the best tour guide and was informative beyond our expectations… Thank you for a wonderful time that we will remember forever!”

Gail Sherman – Baton Rouge, LA – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“Great job! Great tour! Always to be remembered!!”

Eileen Palmeri – Yardville, NJ – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“Thank you for a wonderful experience in Israel… Your knowledge and spirit extends way beyond your country. Thank you for (your) hospitality and all you did.”

Heidi Oster & Family – Greenwood Village, CO – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“This was a fantastic trip. I was very excited to come. My expectation was definitely met. I enjoy the history and to be walking among historical sites.”

Tim McCarrick – Hamilton, OH – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“I was very impressed with the itinerary and planning of the tour… I would not hesitate to take or recommend this tour to others.”

Cara Jawitz – Long Beach, NY – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“The tour was surely a journey which touched our soul and mind and would recommend to everyone. Guy was patient, kind, informative and sincere—a truly wonderful guide.”

Murry & Toby Chalnick – Jackson, NJ – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“ITAS did such a wonderful job of creating an itinerary to span the generations. Our whole experience in Israel is beyond words… I resisted taking a group tour as hard as I could and it turned out to be the best thing I ever did. The bar mitzvah celebration and the gifts to the children really added a nice touch! Thank you ITAS, for making this milestone in our lives, one which we will never forget!”

Wendy Zucker – Manalapan, NJ – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“Overall, ITAS was a great experience. Everyone on the tour group bonded like a family and seeing Israel as Jews was a memory that will last a lifetime.”

Carly Zucker – Manalapan, NJ – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“Guy (guide) was amazing! He made the tour informative and great fun. He gets an A+++ for his knowledge, humor, helpfulness, and thoughtfulness… ITAS has given our family a trip of a lifetime filled with wonderful memories. ITAS allowed all members of our 3 generation family to see Israel together and leave with the wish to return again. The kids loved the tour. ITAS made sure to include activities each day that made it fun for all ages. We will recommend ITAS to all our friends and family back home!”

Sturisky Family – Atlanta, GA – July 6, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“We enjoyed an incredible journey through Israel. This trip brought to life the Jewish experience our kids learned in school. Both of my children want to come back to Israel. This is the reason we came—to bring Judaism to our children. ITAS is the best!”

Sharon Goldstein – Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – June 15, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

"Ofra was an excellent tour guide. She is very knowledgeable and customized the tour. The Kabbalah visit was excellent. We had a small group of three families (12 people). This made more of an excellent experience as it was more manageable."

Bruce Shanefield – Weston, FL – June 15, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

"Overall the tour was very good and our guide Ofra was AMAZING. She was more than expected and more. I would recommend (ITAS). The whole tour was very informational and that was good from a student's point of view."

Michelle Shanefield – Weston, FL – June 15, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

"Ofra was unbelievable! We had a small group and we all got along so well—have new friends for life! Ofra customized our tour to meet our needs."

Karen Reiss – Phoenix, AZ – June 15, 2009 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

"Each day we saw so much and learned so much. After a few days, we felt like we had been in Israel a whole week. It was exhausting, but I loved every minute of it."

Ronald Secunda – Gambrills, MD – May 14, 2009 – Adult Tour

"Every day was more powerful than the next. Shimon (guide) had us walking through living history, the trying times Israel has had (as well as) the jubilations. I don't want to sound corny, but after this tour—my heart and soul is in Israel."

Eve Secunda – Gambrills, MD – May 14, 2009 – Adult Tour

"From beginning to end the tour was amazing. The driver and guide were tops. Shimon (guide) was not only knowledgeable but witty… we learned and laughed. This made for a very enjoyable tour. You will come highly recommended by me."

Marilyn Olson – Manalapan, NJ – May 14, 2009 – Adult Tour

“Our synagogue has enjoyed three great touts of Israel during the past four years under the leadership of ITAS. They provided a safe, well-planned and exciting tour each time. When we go, we go with ITAS.”

Rabbi J. L. Mirel – Bellevue, WA – May 3, 2009 – Temple B'nai Torah Tour

"My experience in Israel was fantastic. Guy was an outstanding guide and the entire tour was extremely well organized."

John Boekholt – Bellevue, WA – May 3, 2009 – Temple B'nai Torah Tour

"Guy is a wonderful, helpful guide. Shalom and Guy were very friendly and accommodating. We highly recommend!"

Harris Jaffee – Bellevue, WA – May 3, 2009 – Temple B'nai Torah Tour

"Wonderful, well planned tour. Good balance of education and fun. Kept us busy every minute. Guy was a wonderful tour guide!"

Susan Jaffee – Bellevue, WA – May 3, 2009 – Temple B'nai Torah Tour

"The driver was excellent and very safe. The guide was outstanding, passionate about Israel, very well informed and patient. He made this trip an outstanding and unforgettable experience."

Susan Mayon – Bellevue, WA – May 3, 2009 – Temple B'nai Torah Tour

“As someone who generally shies away from group travel, I was a bit leery of the “family tour” approach. I am happy to report that my fears were put to rest. From the professionalism and enthusiasm of our guide, to the precision and orderliness of all travel arrangements, I could not have been more pleased with our tour. It was fun, educational and inspirational. In a word: outstanding.”

Adam Rude – Briarcliff Manor, NY – August 4, 2008 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“We had the most amazing time. (Our guide) was incredible. He made our family love Israel and now we want to come back. This trip beat my expectations. We made so many new friends; learned so much about Israel and our heritage. We will never forget this trip. We will really miss everyone until the next time we come back. The (gifts from ITAS) were so beautiful, it shows your company really cares about everyone having a great time.”

Sid & Robin Soil – Toronto, Canada – August 4, 2008 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“The ITAS tour was so much fun. I met new people and made new friends. I want to do it again for my Bat Mitzvah… I am only (age) 8.”

Claire Braverman – Davie, FL – July 7, 2008 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“I have toured for 45 years with companies from Elderhostel to Tauck Tours… Crème de la Crème, but have NEVER experienced such an excellent program, intelligent and well informed guides, good balance for adults and youngsters, educational and recreational events, and PASSIONATE guide. THE VERY BEST!”

Susan Steinberg – Livermore, CA – July 7, 2008 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“We would have NEVER attempted on our own to see all, let alone half, of the sites and adventures we saw with ITAS! A great “sampler” of Israel. Lovely guide, great driver—all good! Thank you.”

Pam Chozen – Laguna Beach, CA – July 7, 2008 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

“Excellent preparation prior to Bar Mitzvah. Everything was wonderful and beyond my expectations! Very knowledgeable and personal guide interspersed historical visits with physical activities geared to the young people. The breadth of experience provided great variety… living history of Israel.”

Ira & Alice Gross – Kingston, RI – June 25, 2008 – Bar Mitzvah Tour

 

We are back a few weeks now and feel compelled to thank everyone involved at ITAS for such a meaningful 1st trip to Israel. After much Internet research and asking a lot of questions, we chose to go with the ITAS adult trip from 12/23/10 and extended to 1/5/11. As we planned the trip we spoke with the ITAS/NJ office and Yaniv & Zoie were patient and answered all our questions that a first timer to Israel could have. We learned that there would only be seven people on the tour and although they would have liked to have more they still ran the trip.
When we arrived at Ben Gurion airport we met our group and our guide Danny Hefetz and little did we know at that point what a gem he would turn out to be. We also met Irit, the ITAS owner and you can see that she cares very much to do things right. From that point every aspect of the trip was flawless, even with our extension to Eilat & Petra. Our accommodations were great (especially Kibbutz Ha-Goshrim!), the itinerary of what we saw and in the order we saw it was very well thought out and every day was like building blocks toward the total Israel experience that just WOWED us. Our group was amazed after a while because it seemed we were always ahead of the crowd at the museums and sites we went to.
We can’t say enough about Danny, his title was tour guide, but he was a natural teacher/storyteller at the top of his “game”. He explained everything from biblical history to present issues in Israel with a depth of understanding and a command of facts & figures that were amazing and we would want to tour with him and ITAS again!

Toda Raba to all at ITAS,
Paul & Sally Goldberg
Delmar, NY